OPINION: Coaching is a job that keeps on giving

Feb. 21—I was fortunate enough to cover sports for my first 20 years at the Norwalk Reflector.

I always told people I never made a mistake coaching while sitting in the press box. Just like parents in the stands, you are always right and the coaches are always wrong.

I think every parent should coach at least once to find out what it like on the other side of the fence.

The grass is not always greener.

I coached CYO basketball for six straight years when my daughters were growing up. At the fifth- and sixth-grade level, it was an accomplishment if all of your players showed up with their shoes tied each game.

A couple of years ago our middle daughter, Megan, was asked to coach junior high basketball at St. Paul. I told her I would help.

The team we had for two years lost just one game and won two straight Firelands Conference titles.

Those girls are now seniors, and two of them have really stepped up their games. Megan and I were able to attend both of their senior nights this year — Molly Ridge at St. Paul and Brooklyn Davis at Norwalk.

Ridge is the only girl still playing from that team at St. Paul. She was the guard who ran the show back in junior high. She was the person who stepped up when we needed her to.

Davis ruled the floor in junior high. She was bigger and stronger than all of the other girls. Coaches will tell you they are only as good as their players, and that is the truth. We just let Davis go and she did the rest.

It has been fun to follow their careers.

It was a struggle for St. Paul this year, but I was proud to follow Ridge as she stuck it out through the tough times. It is a lot tougher to come back day after day when things aren't going your way.

Everybody could see that.

"I feel for those kids who you want to give the accolades they deserve, but they don't get in those situations," New London coach Eric Mitchell told our Mark Hazelwood in a recent profile on Ridge. "I understand the frustrations Vicky (St. Paul coach Vicky Mahl) went through this year, because I've been there a couple of times.

"But you have to find a little light in the darkness, and Molly Ridge was definitely that for St. Paul this year."

Davis has had an awesome career at Norwalk. On Saturday she stepped up big time as the Truckers rallied from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to shock Mansfield Senior 55-50 and win a Division II sectional title.

"I just wanted to go and hug my teammates," David told Hazelwood after the game. "I'm so thankful for them. They really got me through ... I was feeling down at some points, but they showed up. I just can't do anything without them."

Davis, who was third-team All-Ohio last year, scored 22 points and had 11 rebounds to go along with six steals. She was also 8-of-12 shooting and didn't miss a free throw (8-of-8).

That's a pretty good night. And it's been a great season for the Truckers, who are 20-3 heading into Thursday night's district semifinal game against Shelby (19-5) at Ashland High School.

The 19 wins during the regular season is a new program record.

Good luck to Davis and the Truckers Thursday. Megan and I will be keeping our eyes on you.

The second year Megan and I coached together I also had the seventh graders, who lost just three games — all to South Central.

Only two of those girls are still playing — Megan Lesch and Chloe Smith.

Lesch had a monster tournament this year, scoring 30 points against Crestline and 10 against Buckeye Central. Smith scored 15 points against Crestline and seven against Buckeye Central.

I'll always remember one game when they were seventh-graders at Mapleton. Lesch was fouled with the score tied and no time left on the clock. She had to go out there all alone for the two free throws.

I just told her to relax and have fun. I was more nervous than she was.

After missing the first shot, Lesch calmly stepped back to the line and made the second. We won the game. What a thrill for Lesch and her teammates.

Those are great memories, and I am looking forward to their senior seasons with the Flyers.

Coaching is tough, but it is also very rewarding as you get to follow your players through their careers.

Like Cousin Eddie says, "it is the gift that keeps on giving."

Joe Centers is Reflector community editor. He can be reached at jcenters@norwalkreflector.com.