One Possession

By Jeff Smith, Former Assistant Coach at Dayton

It was only one possession! Why must my coach scream?

My poor defense  permitted the basket, but what can one hoop mean?

As the pass comes my  direction, and I fumble it in the stands,

The coach's voice rings loud and  clear, "Catch with your eyes and hands!"

C'mon coach, it's a single possession, our team will be okay,

It's just  the first two minutes, my gosh, we've got all day.

At the 2nd quarter mark,  I remember, that the center is strong and stout,

A put back for two, quite  simply due, to my failure to turn and block out.

But it was only one  possession, I didn't commit a crime,

My team is ahead and I'm playing well,  and there's still plenty of time!

As the halftime buzzer is sounding, and I  watch the ball bank in,

I know I will hear from my loving coach, of my  questionable effort to defend.

But, it was only one possession. Coach - don't have a heart attack!

We  are down by one, but we are having fun, and I know we'll get the lead back!

The second half mirrors the first, but it's early; It's not a big deal

That my failure to use a pass fake results in an unlikely steal.

But  quickly I sink a jumper, I'm greeted by high fives and slaps,

But the next  possession I give up a lay-up, while suffering a mental lapse.

But it's only  one possession, C'mon coach, chill out,

It's crazy to you see you disgusted,  as you slap the assistant and shout.

"Victory favors the team making the fewest mistakes.  Single possessions are the key.

So treat them like gold and do as you're told. And, play with  intensity."

I step to the line for one and one, but I'm having a  concentration lapse.

The ball soars through the air - Good Lord, it's a  brick!

And I'm afraid the support will collapse.

In post game I sit at  my locker, pondering what more I could do

I realize the value of each  possession, what a shame we lost by two!