Dear Boy’s Varsity Basketball Team,
It has been a tough three years for a Tam basketball fan like myself. I’ve witnessed a lack of respectable coaches, atrocious offenses, and losing star players to rival teams (we still love you Malik). It seemed that every year our team could simply not click. Last year, I attended each home game only to watch the squad eventually go down with a 1-13 MCAL record. Despite the friends I had on the team who I had grown up playing ball with, any faith I had in the Tam basketball program was flushed down the drain.
I regret to inform you that I made heavy handed remarks about what I expected for this year. To be honest, I thought history was going to repeat itself. This summer during a car ride with some friends a discussion began about predictions for upcoming Tam sports seasons. When basketball came up, I expressed my pessimism. “Mark my words guys, Tam basketball isn’t going to win a single game this year,” I said. My remark brought about many laughs and nods of approval. One of my friends even thought my rant was funny enough to submit for his senior quote. I wasn’t being completely serious, but I did strongly feel there would be some truth to what I had said.
It has been nearly five months, and I can gleefully say that you guys have proven me wrong. During late December I attended my first game of the season. I came in at half and you were down 14 to Alhambra high school. My initial thought was, ‘Oh god, I was right.’ But as I watched the team huddle up with a brand new coaching staff led by the fresh and charismatic Tim Morgan, I noticed something. Everyone was standing up. Everyone had their arms wrapped around each other. You guys hadn’t given up. You guys looked like a team. From the moment the second half started, you guys dominated. Out-hustling and out-executing Alhambra, the 14 point deficit quickly dissipated and turned itself around into a solid 8 point win. Since then I haven’t missed a single home game.
It’s been my pleasure watching you take down teams like Branson, Novato, and Marin Catholic (oh baby) with a clear fiery desire to win as a team. This year I can sincerely say I have enjoyed my time spectating in Gus gym, whereas in year’s prior I found myself trying not to burst out with curse words.
So I think it is fair to say that I owe you guys an apology. There was a real part of me that thought I wouldn’t get to watch a single victory this winter, but now I’m eating my words and watching this great group of kids head into the playoffs. I promise, even if things don’t work out in the playoffs, I’ll stick by your side.
Sincerely, Daniel Carroll
A Now Faithful Fan. ♦