| Ram Forever32
March 6, 2013 1:21:36 PM
Entry #: 4037280
| As another season comes to a close, I think those of us who have witnessed the past several seasons are very encouraged by the way this one turned out. First off I think this senior class, probably more than any other, deserves a huge pat on the back and a huge thank you for getting the program headed in the right direction. Aaron, Lee, and Tyler the Paoli Basketball program will always be grateful for the fact that you stuck it out, and hung around when it would have been awfully easy to just walk away. 3 head coaches in 4 years of high school is a lot to ask of anyone, and sometimes I think we forget that these are just kids. So thank you from the Paoli fans for all the hard work and dedication you have put into making Paoli a basketball power again.
Several things probably stand out about this season, but none more so than the comeback against Crawford in the sectional, on their floor, in front of their home crowd. To fall behind and have everything going against us, the Rams fought back and played with the kind of effort that it takes to be a powerhouse program. It was kind of the culmination in my opinion of the season, and I think it was something that future teams can build on.
Obviously the future looks a little brighter than it might have initially going into this season. The fact that Austin Moore really turned his game up at the end of the season is a huge factor for the Rams for the next couple of seasons, adding to that the fact that Tanner W should be a dominant force for anyone to try and match up with as a senior, adding Tanner K back after a season without him, and the fact that Evan Jones got some quality varsity time this season in a role that he will most likely fill next year. We return a lot of experience for the next go around, which is something that will be very helpful come tournament time. We still have some players learning roles, but I think as the season closed out, they were getting settled in them pretty well.
Finishing runner up in the PLAC to a very good Perry Central team was much needed for confidence, and it will serve the Rams next season as they build off what they did this year. Overall I think if at the beginning of the season someone would have said you will win 15 games, finish second in the conference and make the championship game of the sectional, that would have been considered a successful season. With that said, I know Dusty won't be satisfied with those same results year in and year out, and that the bar has been established and now it is time to get over it. Brighter days are ahead on the horizon for Paoli Basketball and that started with the commitment of all involved this season. Thank you Ram players, coaches and fans for making 2012-2013 a season that everyone can be proud of. See ya all next winter at Chambers Gym and James A Babcock Court for Chapter 2 of Coach Cole and His Rams!
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