Achieving Excellence: What Will Push Your Button?
From the series: "STAND OUT IN THE CROWD"
by Frank Allocco, Sr.
Series Introduction
Some eye opening basketball statistics:
The beauty of sports is not in becoming a great player, it is the learning of valuable Life Skills that will serve players throughout their lives. If we look beyond the focus of winning and achieving success, the arena of competition is one of the finest classrooms a young player could ever have.
Some eye opening basketball statistics:
- 2.9% of high school players will play college basketball.
- Less than 1 in 75, or 1.3 percent of NCAA Seniors will be drafted by an NBA Team.
- About 3 in 10,000 players (0.03 percent) of high school seniors will eventually be drafted by an NBA team.
The beauty of sports is not in becoming a great player, it is the learning of valuable Life Skills that will serve players throughout their lives. If we look beyond the focus of winning and achieving success, the arena of competition is one of the finest classrooms a young player could ever have.
My hometown of New Providence, New Jersey had a great athletic tradition, with great basketball and football teams competing strongly in the powerful Suburban Conference. Like everyone else in our town, I was in the crowd on Tuesdays and Fridays dreaming of the day I would wear the green and white. Being blessed with two older brothers allowed me the opportunity to watch and sometimes play with these giants who were legendary figures in my eyes. I idolized the players, learned from their actions, and still treasure the many great memories of Pioneer Athletics.
I remember reading “Go Team Go” by John Tunis, a wonderful sports book about a team striving to win a State Championship despite losing their best players. That book motivated me to work hard to try to achieve one of the loftiest goals a high school player could achieve. I still cherish the memory of driving to the Jersey Shore with my friend Ian Davis’ family to watch the Pioneers upset Wildwood High School to win the 1965 State Championship. The boardwalk at Atlantic City was hopping that day as the Convention Center became the home of one of the greatest upsets in New Jersey state history. The celebration continued for days, I remember the parade through town where the team was greeted with love and appreciation for their most significant accomplishment.
This amazing event motivated and inspired countless grade school players who were determined to play on the biggest stage of Jersey basketball. Imagine my pride when I made the varsity team as a sophomore and manned the starting point guard position, the wait was over! I was so excited to be a part of New Providence’s amazing athletic tradition and wore my number 14 proudly. I played alongside some great players that inaugural year, and quite frankly, was a bit overwhelmed and tentative with my approach to the game. My uncertain performance in games seemed to worsen as the year went on and I began to question why I was still starting. After practice each night, I would walk home dejectedly with Bob Tatti, one of my neighbors and the star running back on our football team. On those long reflective walks home, I would express my doubts and my belief that I didn’t deserve to be a starter as I wasn’t strong or talented enough. Bob was like a big brother to me, always so supportive as he kept challenging me to believe in myself, assuring me that my time would come and I would be a great player when the opportunity presented itself.
Despite his daily pep talks my troubles and lack of confidence continued as I played in fear, averaging slightly over two points a game. Little did I know that my dismal attitude was about to change as we boarded the bus to travel to Clark to play Arthur Johnson Regional High School. This game had a special significance to me as my oldest brother and personal hero Jerry was the outstanding coach of their fine basketball team.
I remember reading “Go Team Go” by John Tunis, a wonderful sports book about a team striving to win a State Championship despite losing their best players. That book motivated me to work hard to try to achieve one of the loftiest goals a high school player could achieve. I still cherish the memory of driving to the Jersey Shore with my friend Ian Davis’ family to watch the Pioneers upset Wildwood High School to win the 1965 State Championship. The boardwalk at Atlantic City was hopping that day as the Convention Center became the home of one of the greatest upsets in New Jersey state history. The celebration continued for days, I remember the parade through town where the team was greeted with love and appreciation for their most significant accomplishment.
This amazing event motivated and inspired countless grade school players who were determined to play on the biggest stage of Jersey basketball. Imagine my pride when I made the varsity team as a sophomore and manned the starting point guard position, the wait was over! I was so excited to be a part of New Providence’s amazing athletic tradition and wore my number 14 proudly. I played alongside some great players that inaugural year, and quite frankly, was a bit overwhelmed and tentative with my approach to the game. My uncertain performance in games seemed to worsen as the year went on and I began to question why I was still starting. After practice each night, I would walk home dejectedly with Bob Tatti, one of my neighbors and the star running back on our football team. On those long reflective walks home, I would express my doubts and my belief that I didn’t deserve to be a starter as I wasn’t strong or talented enough. Bob was like a big brother to me, always so supportive as he kept challenging me to believe in myself, assuring me that my time would come and I would be a great player when the opportunity presented itself.
Despite his daily pep talks my troubles and lack of confidence continued as I played in fear, averaging slightly over two points a game. Little did I know that my dismal attitude was about to change as we boarded the bus to travel to Clark to play Arthur Johnson Regional High School. This game had a special significance to me as my oldest brother and personal hero Jerry was the outstanding coach of their fine basketball team.
"Despite his daily pep talks my troubles and lack of confidence continued as I played in fear, averaging slightly over two points a game."
The game was a seesaw affair that eventually went into overtime. With the clock ticking down in the extra period, I eagerly anticipated a reversal pass, intercepted it and dribbled swiftly down the length of the floor to make the game winning layup at the buzzer! The sound of the crowd was deafening as I was lovingly surrounded by my older teammates who made me feel like I had won a State Championship.
After a seemingly short ride home, our bus pulled into the parking lot on Pioneer Drive and Bob and I left the bus and began our journey home. The customary walk was quite different this special night as I felt like I was walking on air! Across the tiny bridge at Salt Brook up the hill toward a left hand turn at Springfield Avenue, right on Ridge Drive, left on Evergreen Avenue and then…14 Clement Road! Every light was on that night, our corner home was surrounded by countless parked cars! I could see family and friends celebrating through the windows as I whispered to myself; “they must have heard the news of my last minute heroics.”
My heart raced as I picked up the tempo and jogged toward the house. I couldn’t wait to replay the final moments of our game for my parents as they had gone to my older brother Michael’s basketball contest at Union Catholic High School. As I proudly hopped up the stairs and into the bustling living room, I was greeted by a long colorful banner that stretched the width of the room; “Congratulations on your 1,000 point!” I swiftly realized that the packed house wasn’t for me, it was for Michael who had achieved this significant accomplishment truly worthy of celebrating.
As I greeted my friends and family, I walked into the kitchen where my Uncle Larry was indulging in a piece of the beautifully decorated congratulatory cake. He asked me how I had played and if we had won our game. I excitedly told him that we had defeated Jerry’s team and that I had made the winning basket in overtime! He listened respectfully before asking me how many points I had scored. My voice dropped an octave as I told him I had just 2 points. He laughed derisively and said, "Your brother scored 35."
My bubble was burst…I was devastated as I ran up the steps and into my bedroom. I threw my bag against the wall and laid on the bed crying in my embarrassment. After what seemed like a lifetime, I collected my thoughts, took a magic marker and wrote my commitment to excellence on my bulletin board so I could see it every day. I was determined that no one would ever laugh at me again.
After a seemingly short ride home, our bus pulled into the parking lot on Pioneer Drive and Bob and I left the bus and began our journey home. The customary walk was quite different this special night as I felt like I was walking on air! Across the tiny bridge at Salt Brook up the hill toward a left hand turn at Springfield Avenue, right on Ridge Drive, left on Evergreen Avenue and then…14 Clement Road! Every light was on that night, our corner home was surrounded by countless parked cars! I could see family and friends celebrating through the windows as I whispered to myself; “they must have heard the news of my last minute heroics.”
My heart raced as I picked up the tempo and jogged toward the house. I couldn’t wait to replay the final moments of our game for my parents as they had gone to my older brother Michael’s basketball contest at Union Catholic High School. As I proudly hopped up the stairs and into the bustling living room, I was greeted by a long colorful banner that stretched the width of the room; “Congratulations on your 1,000 point!” I swiftly realized that the packed house wasn’t for me, it was for Michael who had achieved this significant accomplishment truly worthy of celebrating.
As I greeted my friends and family, I walked into the kitchen where my Uncle Larry was indulging in a piece of the beautifully decorated congratulatory cake. He asked me how I had played and if we had won our game. I excitedly told him that we had defeated Jerry’s team and that I had made the winning basket in overtime! He listened respectfully before asking me how many points I had scored. My voice dropped an octave as I told him I had just 2 points. He laughed derisively and said, "Your brother scored 35."
My bubble was burst…I was devastated as I ran up the steps and into my bedroom. I threw my bag against the wall and laid on the bed crying in my embarrassment. After what seemed like a lifetime, I collected my thoughts, took a magic marker and wrote my commitment to excellence on my bulletin board so I could see it every day. I was determined that no one would ever laugh at me again.
"He laughed derisively and said, 'your brother scored 35.'"
After a brief respite in self-pity, I slowly descended the stairs, rejoined the party and celebrated my brother’s success. Later that night I approached my mother, who went to Mass each day, and quietly inquired what time she was leaving for church in the morning. I asked her to wake me up early and drop me off at Hillview School prior to her visit to church so I could work on my game before practice later that morning. I continued this routine of getting extra shots and working on my game throughout the remainder of that season.
My effort and commitment during the second half of the year paid off as I averaged over 17 points per game and played like a man possessed. My confidence, dedication, and purpose was sky high as my button had been pushed and I was now ready to accept the challenge to greatness. The era of self-doubt was over, I became a totally different player when I had a purpose.
Years later, I look back at that night with fond memories of our family and friends celebrating my brother’s feat. I am grateful for the stinging words that hurt so much at that time but gave me the push and motivation I needed to do more, believe more, and take my game to the next level.
Thanks Uncle Larry!
My effort and commitment during the second half of the year paid off as I averaged over 17 points per game and played like a man possessed. My confidence, dedication, and purpose was sky high as my button had been pushed and I was now ready to accept the challenge to greatness. The era of self-doubt was over, I became a totally different player when I had a purpose.
Years later, I look back at that night with fond memories of our family and friends celebrating my brother’s feat. I am grateful for the stinging words that hurt so much at that time but gave me the push and motivation I needed to do more, believe more, and take my game to the next level.
Thanks Uncle Larry!
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