Be Worthy

All opinions expressed in the blog are solely my own. The blog is not an official publication of any City of Melrose institution.  

Ben McCollum: "I think some coaches, they come in here and they (say), 'Ah, it's unacceptable.' And it is. We need to play hard. We need to play better than that. But you don't sit here and say, 'I'm embarrassed.' Because I'm not. I'm not embarrassed. They kicked our butt for us.… pic.twitter.com/VQi9KqaY9R

— Tyler Tachman (@Tyler_T15) February 15, 2026

In twenty-four years, I have not heard or read Coach Scott Celli say, "We don't have good players; we don't have enough talent."

Excuses don't win games, league titles, or championships. Nothing has less value than excuses. John Wooden simplified, "Dont whine. Don't complain. Don't make excuses."

"Control what you can control..." vintage Stoicism.

"Make every day your masterpiece." - John Wooden 

"Be a great teammate." Teamwork is a choice.

"Always do your best." Your best leaves no room for regret. Sometimes our best won't be as good as the other guy's.

"Don't back down." Whether you're playing the top seed or a low seed, bring the same fight. When Melrose had a powerhouse basketball team, an opposing coach told me, "They're hard to play. You're always going to get five girls who are good players running up and down the court. That's hard to match." 

Regardless of the situation, be a worthy opponent, the kind that will fight and claw and scratch your eyes out. 

Lagniappe. Be like the V-Rex. 

Do not quit.