Life

Life is about turning the things you really want to do... into the things you've done.

T.E.A.M. ~ Celtics Prove It Works!

Together
Everyone
Achieves
More

Whoever came up with that mnemonic came up with a brilliant idea. Coach McIlroy and myself believe that this weekend's eight Celtics totally bought into that idea even though we never spoke about it in that way.

Both base defenses we employed were successful because of "help" by the four players away from the ball. Offensively, we had eight players step up and played the role that was necessary at that time. Whether it was scoring points, creating correct passing lanes, overall defense, minimizing turnovers, drawing charges or blocking out, Coach and I felt that all 8 players improved certain areas of their game during these 6 games over the weekend. Our effort, focus & intensity was at its peak in the Championship game.

However, one of my pre-game chats was focused on the "Perfect Pass Path." Each pass we make during a game could be given a A- F grade. The grade would be based on the following: Speed and Target.
There is a perfect Speed for each pass that is thrown. It should be as hard as possible, without being hard to catch.

The Target is the precise, perfect spot for the receiver to catch the ball. Typically somewhere around the chest and on the side away from the closest defensive player.

On our Celtic or Oklahoma play for example, the Perfect Pass is critical, and will give our player the best chance to get a QUICK RELEASE of the shot, AND to do it in his rhythm. If he has to go down towards his knees or ankles, reach up high or behind him, he may be able to catch the ball, but it delays the time of shot release, along with knocking the shooter out of his rhythm. It doesn't make the STAT sheet as turnover, but it might cost us a ballgame.

Reflecting back to my pre-game chat, we had the worst passing period of the entire tournament during those first ten minutes of the game. Bounce passes that had to be treated like baseball shorthops; chest passes that required herculean efforts to catch; and the despised interceptions and deflections. I realize it was 8 a.m., and against a very active & aggressive Oklahoma Sooner defense, but wonder if subconsciously you guys had to test the theory before buying into it.

Speaking of tipoff times. Tulsa University tipped off at 11 pm Tulsa time Saturday night. College games begin at 11 am. You must have your body and mind ready when the schedule says it's time. Don't tell yourself you "Can't" wake up, or you will become that type of player.

Remember: If you think you CAN, or think you CAN't, you are right.

T.E.A.M. ,,,, Worked this weekend. Coach and I are very proud of you.

Coach Art McIlroy

I remember reading about Coach Mac when he was a High School Star at Cascia Hall back in the early 70's....yes, it was long ago, but it seems, at times like yesterday. He was an ALL CITY player and that meant something when a private school player made that list. Central, Hale, Washington, Memorial, Rogers, East Central, McLain, Edison~~ the TULSA High Schools were dominant in basketball and for a Cascia Hall Commando to be included on this elite squad is quite an honor.

He followed his college basketball playing career at Tulsa University with several coaching stints and learned from many excellent coaches from our community. He coached the Nathan Hale Ranger girls to a State Championship before moving on to Union High and assisting for many years at the High School level. Our kids are extremely fortunate to be able to have Coach McIlroy share his hoop wisdom with us. Techniques, fundamentals and the X's and O's of basketball, and most of our court strategies emanate from his broad basketball database of information.

Vince Lombardi or John Wooden

Tulsa Celtics
Is Winning the ONLY Thing?

(I borrowed this from John Wooden's book)
Mr. Vince Lombardi is supposed to have said, "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." Well, if he said that, I disagree. I believe making the total effort is everything. And that's all I ever wanted and all I ever asked from myself or my players.

It's all you should ever ask for or expect. Understand that you won't actually ever become the best of which you are capable. That's perfection. We can't obtain perfection as I understand it. But we can work, and work hard, toward obtaining it. If you do that,,,, you will never lose, in sports or in life. - John Wooden
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As a young kid, my favorite team was the UCLA Bruins. There was no ESPN and only 1 or 2 college basketball TV games per week. I remember reading in the Tulsa World about a 6'8" eighth grader from Power Memorial in New York City named Lewis Alcindor. He ultimately signed with UCLA and Coach Wooden and helped win some of those 10 NCAA championships; He is known today as Kareem Abdul Jabbar. UCLA was the ULTIMATE TEAM. It didn't matter who the players were, they meshed and played as ONE. Coach Wooden was a God to me.

Interestingly enough, I was blessed with an opportunity to hear Coach Wooden talk several years ago at a luncheon conference at the University of Tulsa Reynolds Center. He is one of the most amazing speakers I've ever witnessed. The man didn't utter ONE, "Uh" or "you know"; each sentence flowed out of his mouth and you could understand exactly what he was saying; an incredible communicator; and the messages he delivered are cornerstones for success. The man was 92 years old!! Incredible.

We are the Champions!!! Celtics knock off SOONERS!

Tulsa Celtics
Wow! I am impressed with this group. After getting pummelled by the Oklahoma Sooners this morning at 8 a.m., the Celtics entered the Championship bracket as a #2 seed and were faced off against the hardnosed, very physical Bixby Spartans.
The Spartans controlled the first 3 quarters of our opening round, Friday night game but the Celtics kept applying the pressure and defeated Bixby by 3 points.

In today's semifinal game, Price Pinkerton exploded from the opening tipoff with two consecutive three's and a twisting power move inside as the Celtics opened up a quick 10-2 lead.
At halftime, Coach McIlroy discussed how critical the first 3 minutes of the second half would be. One particular Celtic seemed to be particularly inspired and took it upon himself to make sure we didn't back down from the extremely physical play by a few of the Spartans. Sean McIlroy (SeanMac) made two power drives while being ridden rough by #13 of Bixby for two big baskets. Then he sacrificed his body (which already housed a severely bruised tailbone from the day before) and picked up a huge CHARGE. We never let up the intensity and held twenty point leads throughout the second half although Bixby cut the lead to 14 with about 5 minutes left in the game. It was a great victory and earned us a spot in the finals (and a REMATCH) against the NE OKLAHOMA All-Stars who called themselves the Oklahoma Sooners.

MAYB CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

The Sooners and Celtics battled hard and it was a close game although the Celtics opened up a 9 point lead early in the second half. That lead evaporated as they started to connect on their outside shots. We played zone for most of the game before the sizzling Sooners forced us to MAN UP. Pinkerton, Santos, MaGuire, Larkin, Morton, McIlroy and Wise battled hard, played as a team, and came away with an extremely hardearned and well deserved 58-56 victory in the MAYB 8th Grade Championship game.

Follow shots, offensive rebounds, blocking out, drawing charges and smart decision making by our point guards were the reasons we won the tournament. Brock & Kale garnered huge rebounds by following their shots late in the game; Brock nailed two free throws to give us a 58-56 lead with 20 seconds left in the game; Sean & Brock drew charges all day; Price was an animal on the glass and down in the paint; Jarred was a FORCE in the middle on both ends of the court; Matt made key steals and directed the offense; Alan's incredibile athleticness caused turnovers and was hot from 3 pt land; Kale hit key 3's and all the CELTICS played awesome defense throughout the tourney.

From getting drilled in the 8 a.m. game to winning the championship in a rematch, each Celtic should be very proud of this MAYB Championship.

First place in the MAYB tourney in the Boys 8th Grade division goes to the TULSA CELTICS. Great job guys.

Losing & Suggestions from John Wooden

Some reflections and observations from Coach John Wooden. At UCLA, he won 10 National Championships in 12 years. A record that may last forever......

Losing is only temporary. You must study it, learn from it, and try hard not to lose the same way again.

Fear no opponent. Respect every opponent.

Remember, it's the perfection of the smallest details that make big things happen.
Hustle makes up for many mistakes.

Be quick, but don't hurry.

Understand that the harder you work, the more luck you will have.

Remember that there is no substitute for hard work and careful planning. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.


Talent is God-given: be humble.
Fame is man-given: be thankful.
Conceit is self-given: be careful.

Oklahoma Sooners HOT Shooting hands Celtics first tourney defeat.

Tulsa Celtics
The Sooners were led by #33 whose name is Trevor Walch. He is a special athlete who could drain long 3's and make incredible, athletic drives to the basket. The word is that he throws the baseball 85 mph and just plays hoops for fun......We tried Brock and Price on him. He was a one man wrecking crew that had four teammates that could shoot lights out as well. Coach's thought: Would have been nice to have Benson & Shannon available for defensive duty.


The Celtics battled from behind for the fourth straight tournament game, as we battled back from an early 12 point deficit. Pinkerton found Morton at top of the key and Brock hit the 3 pointer just before halftime to cut the Sooner lead to 25-20.

Another comeback victory for the Celtics? Nope. This time would be different. We never climbed any closer as the Sooners probably had the highest shooting percentage against us of any time I can recall.

We tried man and zone but the Sooners continually connected on their 3 point shots. Coach McIlroy felt it was an excellent learning experience for the Celtics to see what type of intensity is necessary to play DEFENSE at an ultra competitive level, especially on defense.

Alan Santos & Price Pinkerton led the Celtics offensively in the second half shootout but we could not slow down the Sooners and they opened up a 20 pt lead. The final score was 69-50.

Caresio was a NO SHOW at the 8 AM tipoff from the UNION 6th-7th grade center. We later learned that he was sick and unable to make the early morning road trip nor would he be available for the last two games of the tournament. Chris performed well in the two games he played and recognized his need to work harder on his defense and blocking out.

We finished 3-1 in bracket play and will probably face Bixby in the semifinal game. The winner will surely face the SOONERS in the 4 pm championship later today.

I'd sure like to get another shot at them.

Celtics Stave off Paris, Texas 48-45

Tulsa Celtics
Paris, Texas was coached by Mr. Martin, a rotund man consisted of 10 8th graders from several different schools in Paris, Texas. The Texas boys were connecting on their field goal attempts early. For the third straight MAYB tourney game, we fell down early. I guess it's better to be behind at the beginning of the game than the end of the game. The Texans weren't large, but were very quick.

We started in zone but soon went to a box and one as their #34 was their GO TO guy in the paint and I decided to try and see if they had anyone else that could score. Down around 9 points, we started working the ball to Caresio at the high post and asked Chris to take it strong to the hole. He responded. We switched to a man to man and mixed that with our "FORTY" press to create turnovers and eliminate OPEN three's which they seemed to hit with regularity early.

Ultra quick point guard Alan Santos had a jekyll and hyde type game as his incredible speed and explosiveness led our fast break, yet was not connecting on some of his passes where he over through his Celtic team mates. Matt Maguire turned in another excellent performance and hit a 3 pointer for us. SeanMac (McIlroy) played his usual stellar floor game; battling the boards, diving for loose balls, and playing hard nosed defense inside.

Kale Larkin played solid in all areas despite having an uncharacteristic off night shooting. Brock Morton seemed to be hiding on offense the first half, but broke loose in the second half and finished with 4 --3 pointers and several successful drives to the hoop.

Pinkerton was absent as he had previous engagement to watch ORU play UMKC at the Mabee Center (ORU LOST@!).

We play three games today to close out the tourney.

Celtics overcome Jenks Trojans, 8th grade MAYB tourney

Celtics got off to very slow start at this noon tipoff game at Champions Athletic Complex in Tulsa, OK. Jenks, on the other hand, was red-hot and played with emotion and energy that the CELTICS usually show. Jenks held early 16-6 lead as the Celtics looked and more importantly PLAYED kind of sleepy. Sean McIlroy drilled 3 first half three pointers to lead the Celtics into a one point half time lead. Chris Caresio, an 8th grader from Coffeyville who plays on an 18-1 High School team, played again for the Celtics in his first appearance in many months.

Celtics played a lot better in second half and methodically pulled away and won by about 10 points. Morton hit some second half three's, and Wise, Pinkerton, Santos & Caresio supported McIlroy to notch the victory. Our press created havoc for the Jenks squad and enabled us to put lots of pressure on them which forced numerous turnovers.

(Maguire and Larkin had a Marquette school game against St. Marys.)

Tonight we play a team from Paris, Texas that we've never seen before. Guess it's OU versus Texas all over again.

Tulsa Celtics Dismiss Bixby 39-36 in MAYB Tourney opener

1-28-2005
Played in MAYB tourney for 8th graders; Celtics consist of : Caresio, Pinkerton (first ever Celtic GAME appearance~practiced once with us last year at JCC), Maguire, Santos, Larkin, Morton, McIlroy & Wise. Played Bixby Spartans (less Creighton Williams who injured his back in HH game the day before).

We were behind most of game until last 2 minutes when we took the lead and ended up winning 39-36 in low scoring affair. Interesting in the MAYB rules that Creighton (Holland Hall & Bixby's Creighton Williams), 15 yrs old, is Eligible to play, but three of our 14 yr old Celtics, Benson, Ebigwu & Shannon, are inelegible due to being in the 9th grade.

True team effort with all seven players contributing. Sean (McIlroy) has been sick all week and had not attended school since his return from his cruise, started the game and scored our first two points on a sweet reverse layup. Bixby jumped all over us early and held the lead throughtout the contest. Price (Pinkerton) made great passes when he first entered the game and adjusted well to the new system.

Jarred (Wise) had tough first half as Brown , the burly center for Bixby had quite the hot hand. But Wise played solid throughout and hit some key shots helping his team during the comeback. Matt Maguire performed well as he handled the ball and got us into our offense and played his usual excellent defensive game and came up with key looseballs.

Alan (Santos) handled point guard for most of the game and showed his awesome creativity and solid leadership.
Both Matt & Alan showed they could beat their opponent off the dribble.

Brock (Morton) did not attempt ONE shot tonight against Bixby, although he played the entire game. No turnovers, only 4 or 5 rebounds, but played super defense. Kale had solid game and some crucial baskets. Price came up big late when we put him on the block. His strength and desire makes him a force to be reckoned with inside. He added important free throws late in the game. Truly a Celtic TEAM victory!!

The Comets, Redskins & Dutch will enjoy these players in the coming years.
Our three,14 yr old ninth graders, Ebigwu, Benson & Shannon,,, attend Union, Jenks and Broken Arrow High School.