The Name of the Game

Listen to John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, who waited fifteen years before his team earned an NCAA championship title. “Winning games, titles and championships isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, but getting there, the journey, is a lot more than it’s cracked up to be,” he said.

He also said: “Team spirit means you are willing to sacrifice personal considerations for the welfare of all. That defines a team player.”

Now listen to Betsy Dripps, coach of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School girls’ lacrosse team, which ended its dream season Friday on a soggy, rain-streaked day to a powerhouse team from Hingham: “I couldn’t be prouder of the kids. They’ve been terrific all season long. They played their hearts out,” she said. “They [Hingham] were just a better team today.”

Good coaches make good teams.

And there are plenty of both at the regional high school, where student athletes have been standouts this year, especially in tennis, track and lacrosse. And the girls lacrosse team has been a good one to watch. Congratulations to the girls for keeping us on the edge of our seats all season, and for inspiring us with their athletic prowess and their selfless teamwork.

It was a good run.

See you next year.

And remember one more gem from the Wizard of Westwood — despite the unparalleled success of his teams in the NCAA tournament, he always said his greatest satisfaction came from seeing his players go on to be productive members of society off the court.