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When competing for something significant, how does one strive to accomplish it?
Easy Money Productions spoke with a pair of players and a coach who competed in the City League boys basketball championship in February, when Northland defeated Africentric 62-48 to capture its third straight title. The athletes and coach discussed how their motivation, influence, preparation, chemistry, teamwork, and dedication contributed to their success on and off the hardwood.
Rohaun Harris-Hardy, a forward for Africentric Early College High School, was a key contributor to the team’s regular season success throughout this past season.
Harris-Hardy helped the team achieve a 22-3 record this season, including going undefeated in conference play.
The junior and Second Team All City athlete spoke about the influences that play a role in his success on the court.
“My family and my friends influence me because I know how much they want to see me succeed,” he said. “They also help me get through rough times and have been there for me plenty of times throughout my journey.”
Diante James, a prolific scorer and catalyst for Northland High School, played a significant role in the team’s 19-4 season. Starting as point guard in the City League game, James scored 12 points.
He finished his junior season as a First Team All City and Second Team All District athlete.
James credits his family, most notably his father, for motivating him.
“He’s always going to be with me for my success,” he said.
Northland High School assistant coach Leo Cleary-Foeller explained how he prepares his team.
“I try to instill as much confidence into the team and try to put them in scenarios in practice that they will see during the game," he said.
For Harris-Hardy, staying mentally “locked in” and “blocking out all the noise and negativity” is paramount.
“Letting negative thoughts creep in your head can prevent you from performing your best on the court,” Harris-Hardy said.
James said practicing with energy and efficiency is crucial to success, not only for himself, but for his team as well.
“All practice, all week, I was ready and most importantly my team was ready,” he said after a recent tournament win. “Our energy was through the roof.”
Harris-Hardy said team chemistry plays a major role in his and his team’s performance. Staying on the same page and playing unselfish makes them a “dominant team,” he added.
“When we fight through adversity during our season, we all can help each other keep our heads up,” Harris-Hardy said.
Cleary-Foeller said that despite the many challenges he faces as a coach, his dedication to his team makes his purpose worthwhile.
He said being able to coach a player like Tihon Johnson, who he described as a great basketball mind and leader of young men, is “an amazing opportunity and truly inspiring.”
“I'm so lucky to work with such special kids who happen to be extremely talented at basketball,” he said.
Harris-Hardy said seeing his team lose in the tournament as a freshman two years prior made him want to become a better player and further develop his craft. He said that dedication has helped him prepare for big moments.
Harris-Hardy added that the time he has dedicated to getting better as a player will pay dividends down the road.
“I can’t wait to play on the big stage,” he said.
Tyler Clodfelter is a student at Columbus Alternative High School. This piece was written for Columbus Journalists in Training, a program sponsored by the Columbus Dispatch and Society of Professional Journalists Central Ohio Pro-Chapter and Columbus Association of Black Journalists for Columbus City Schools students. Tyler was a member of team Easy Money Productions.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Student project: Players give backstory of City League championship
Continue reading...
Easy Money Productions spoke with a pair of players and a coach who competed in the City League boys basketball championship in February, when Northland defeated Africentric 62-48 to capture its third straight title. The athletes and coach discussed how their motivation, influence, preparation, chemistry, teamwork, and dedication contributed to their success on and off the hardwood.
Motivation and influence
Rohaun Harris-Hardy, a forward for Africentric Early College High School, was a key contributor to the team’s regular season success throughout this past season.
Harris-Hardy helped the team achieve a 22-3 record this season, including going undefeated in conference play.
The junior and Second Team All City athlete spoke about the influences that play a role in his success on the court.
“My family and my friends influence me because I know how much they want to see me succeed,” he said. “They also help me get through rough times and have been there for me plenty of times throughout my journey.”
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Diante James, a prolific scorer and catalyst for Northland High School, played a significant role in the team’s 19-4 season. Starting as point guard in the City League game, James scored 12 points.
He finished his junior season as a First Team All City and Second Team All District athlete.
James credits his family, most notably his father, for motivating him.
“He’s always going to be with me for my success,” he said.
Preparation
Northland High School assistant coach Leo Cleary-Foeller explained how he prepares his team.
“I try to instill as much confidence into the team and try to put them in scenarios in practice that they will see during the game," he said.
You must be registered for see images attach
For Harris-Hardy, staying mentally “locked in” and “blocking out all the noise and negativity” is paramount.
“Letting negative thoughts creep in your head can prevent you from performing your best on the court,” Harris-Hardy said.
Teamwork and chemistry
James said practicing with energy and efficiency is crucial to success, not only for himself, but for his team as well.
“All practice, all week, I was ready and most importantly my team was ready,” he said after a recent tournament win. “Our energy was through the roof.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Harris-Hardy said team chemistry plays a major role in his and his team’s performance. Staying on the same page and playing unselfish makes them a “dominant team,” he added.
“When we fight through adversity during our season, we all can help each other keep our heads up,” Harris-Hardy said.
Dedication
Cleary-Foeller said that despite the many challenges he faces as a coach, his dedication to his team makes his purpose worthwhile.
He said being able to coach a player like Tihon Johnson, who he described as a great basketball mind and leader of young men, is “an amazing opportunity and truly inspiring.”
“I'm so lucky to work with such special kids who happen to be extremely talented at basketball,” he said.
Harris-Hardy said seeing his team lose in the tournament as a freshman two years prior made him want to become a better player and further develop his craft. He said that dedication has helped him prepare for big moments.
Harris-Hardy added that the time he has dedicated to getting better as a player will pay dividends down the road.
“I can’t wait to play on the big stage,” he said.
Tyler Clodfelter is a student at Columbus Alternative High School. This piece was written for Columbus Journalists in Training, a program sponsored by the Columbus Dispatch and Society of Professional Journalists Central Ohio Pro-Chapter and Columbus Association of Black Journalists for Columbus City Schools students. Tyler was a member of team Easy Money Productions.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Student project: Players give backstory of City League championship
Continue reading...
