When the winter high school sports teams gathered for their very first official practices back in November most talked about goals, they wanted to achieve. Yes, there were always those personal goals that players used for self-motivation, but in just about every case team goals included advancing to the district playoffs. Now, three months later, those playoffs are here and for those teams fortunate to achieve that goal they are now dealing with a completely different set of circumstances,

What the playoffs mean greatly differ depending upon who it is affecting. For the player, it is deeply personal. He/she has devoted countless hours to its pursuit, both physically and mentally. It is the end of a journey for which most all will see end in defeat. For the parent, it has been a vicarious journey over which they have had little control. They’ve been there through all the victories and defeats, made sacrifices to allow their offspring to compete in their chosen sport and cheered from the stands with one eye on their child and the other on the other participants.

For the coach, it is a moment of muted satisfaction. If his/her team overachieved, the accomplishment is magnified. If the team was expected to do much better than their final regular season record showed there exists some consternation over what went wrong and what can be done to fix things before it is too late. But it most cases, it is not the coach’s last hurrah. There is always next season to look forward to and build upon.

For the fans, it’s the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae. They are there to cheer on their team. Communities swell with civic pride. Teams coming from smaller communities are sometimes treated as conquering heroes with the townspeople coming out in droves to revel in the excitement.

Sometimes it all comes so fast, or so unexpected that underclass players might get the feeling that this is great, ‘but we’ll get to experience this all again next year — not so fast young buck. The playoffs are a very fickle companion. They are often there one year and gone the next. So if a player is on a team dominated by seniors they should do all they can to watch and learn, but it is only hard work and commitment that will provide future opportunities to ‘get back to the dance.’

Most likely, somewhere in their pre-season talks with their teams, coaches have reminded their senior athletes that this is their last high school go-round. They’ve given that talk about how fast the season will go by and to give it their best effort every time they step on the court or mat. While back in November the athlete may have heard the words but not completely grasped the coach’s message, the playoffs have hit, and it is truly now or never. High school graduation is not that far away, and you won’t be receiving that diploma in your high school basketball uniform or singlet.

Every sport at every level has playoffs with the overriding purpose of defining an ultimate champion. From high school to the pros that drive and intensity to reach the top rung on the ladder brings with it a type of pressure which some can handle more than others.

Back in November 2006, then Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Mora had a meltdown at the microphone during a regular season post-game press conference. A month remained until the playoffs, and his Colts had just lost a game in which his offense had turned the ball over five times. A reporter asked Mora about his team’s chances of making the playoffs.

“Playoffs? Don’t talk to me about playoffs! You kidding me? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game,” Mora lamented!

As it turned out the Colts did win more games, capping off the season and playoffs by defeating the Chicago Bears 29-17 in the Super Bowl.

Regardless of the level of play, having ‘been there and done that’ before provides preparation and experience factors that greatly enhances a team’s confidence. Understanding that a goal strived for all season long can be destroyed in a flash by the playoffs ‘lose and go home reality’ is a powerful motivational tool.

In this year’s District Four basketball playoffs the qualification process has taken on a different criterion. Rather than team selection and seeding being based strictly upon win/loss records, strength of schedule has been figured in that takes into consideration what teams they have played rather simply their won/lost record.

Congratulations to those teams and athletes that have achieved that November goal of making the playoffs. It is now up to you to see how far the journey will last. For basketball squads, it is all about team achievement. For the wrestlers, it is you against the world. Good luck to all in achieving your dream.