Rochester, NY
1:24 AM
The dream season for the Greece Athena basketball program ended tonight. I’ve been at their last 3 games, catching a glimpse of the J-Mac Fever that so many people have been enveloped in. It’s been weird for me watching the games and seeing a boom mike hanging from a 10 foot pole on the kid all game. There has been 5 and 6 cameras pointed at him for the games, following him up and down the bench, to the water cooler to get drinks for the team, and at every post game celebration and handshake they are on him. I’ve seen people stop him for autographs, for camera phone shots, and to sign sneakers. It’s crazy, but still an incredible story.
My old coach who I didn’t always get along with when I was in high school deserves a lot of credit for allowing J Mac to suit up for senior night. No one could have imagined 6 3-pointers and 20 points. And of course no one could imagine the fans cheering in ecstasy with each made basket, or the team jumping out of their seats with each 3, or the students storming the court after the game ended fittingly on another long ball. I don’t get too hyper about hyped things, but this story still makes me feel good. As I’ve gotten more into the local high basketball season, I’ve seen how coaches can ruin players. They can cause them to quit and leave the team or quit but still remain on the team. These coaches are not teachers, they are negative thought makers. My coach’s goal was to see each of us grow as people and basketball players. There is no question Coach Johnson has influenced his team as players, but more so as people. And so many others have been effected.
It’s too bad the team doesn’t move on to states, but a Section V title will always be remembered. You’ll see it on the big screen or in a TV movie at some point down the