In Pursuit of Glory

the goal ... commitment ... points ... balance .... final ingredient

the goal Preseason Journal Star Rankings At the outset of the ‘89 - ‘90 season, Lincoln Journal Star sports writer Ryly Jane Hambleton wasn’t going to put herself in the position of having to apologize to the 1990 team as she had the 1989 team at their championship banquet. Ms. Hambleton acknowledged the Warriors as the number one team in Class B in her preseason rankings and declared that “the Warriors will be king of the mountain until dethroned on the court.” From inside the Warrior camp, the message would be direct and consistent. Coach Anderson stated it plainly on many occasions from preseason interviews to numerous post game comments, through the tournament and the final celebrations: “Our number one goal is to improve throughout the season and then get back to Lincoln to defend our crown.” Coach Anderson would also often times state that the win streak wasn’t the focus of the team, and the other titles and records the Warriors were accumulating along the way were nice, but those were not the goal. But no matter how much the coaches and players downplayed it, the 1990 team was reaching higher than its two predecessors that had ended their seasons at the top of Class B. This team was pursuing more than just a state championship. The 1988 Warriors who had fought so hard to win that first championship would be hard pressed to comprehend reaching farther -- for so long a state title had been out of reach for the small town high school. The 1989 team could identify with their 1990 counterparts as they had reached for the “repeat.” But for that 1989 team, the win streak had been an afterthought, and while there had been some media attention, for the most part, the Warriors had not been subjected to the bright spotlight that was beginning to glare down on the 1990 team. In many ways, the circle of light the 1990 team found themselves in was a product of the dramatic championship victory from 1989. The “richter roar” still resonated among the players of 1990. Whether they were on the court, on the bench, behind the bench, or in the stands, they had experienced a “thrill of a lifetime” and were seeking the elixir that would provide that high again. This time it wouldn’t come because it was the “first time.” It wouldn’t come because it was an improbable, sudden burst of energy. It would be a steady accumulation of impressive wins, team and individual statistics and way of playing the game that would cement a Wahoo style of basketball that had emerged from the two previous championships and would propel the Wahoo teams to their astonishing accomplishments in the future. By the time the nets were cut down in March, the Warriors of 1990 would have established themselves as one of the great teams of Nebraska high school history. With all the past glory surrounding the 1990 team as the season opened, their eyes were focused on their goal. In his parting words to the 1989 team, Coach Anderson had given this thought to those returning: “You can’t turn back time, but you can rewind the clock.” The clock was wound tight and released again in December of ‘89 -- Jason, Randy, Troy, Scott, Ryan, Bernie, Mike, and Steve were ready to begin their pursuit of glory. Part 2 -- commitment The Lincoln Journal Star ranked the Warriors #1 in Class B preseason. Lincoln Pius X was ranked #4. Jason Glock was listed as a "Hot Shot." Click the graphic to enlarge. “People can’t expect us to replace the team that we had last year overnight. We are working at getting the right combination of players out there. We need to keep the work ethic that has made us winners in the past and things will happen for us.” -- Coach Anderson

12/26/09