Coach Cleo Hill Jr. After the Game
The 2019 Homecoming week was the most anticipated event in some time. To reflect on all the festivities is impossible, but Friday, November 1st is a day I will never forget. A special THANK YOU goes out to Coach Roy Williams, the North Carolina Tar Heels, and their leadership.
I am proud of our players' effort and preparation. However, simulating the excitement, the atmosphere, and the opponent's size was not an easy task.
The players' focus throughout the week had its ebbs and flows, which can be expected with so many great Homecoming activities on campus. But, to our players' credit, our shootaround was filled with intensity, the day of the game.
The start of the game was more than sluggish, due to jitters and not wanting to make a mistake. After scoring 6 points, we went 0 for 8 on the next eight possessions. I thought we settled down a bit and finished the half strong.
At the start of the 2nd half, we looked like the team I envisioned, playing up-tempo, driving and kicking, and making great decisions. For the remainder of the contest, our execution was not as consistent as I would like it to be.
The scrimmage was a great experience for our young men to look back on later in our conference season and national play. More importantly, they can look back on the experience later in life and use it for teaching moments and reflections. Playing against a storied program like UNC is an accomplishment. They definitely have great pride in their tradition and it shows. Now, our guys can look at our tradition, our conference championships, tournament bids, and a National Championship. We will begin to take great pride in knowing OUR history, traditions, legendary players, coaches, and students.
For me personally, I am disappointed after losing any contest but my development as a coach, motivator, and mentor of young men MUST go to another level. I can definitely thank UNC, coach William's and his staff for keeping my teams, my staff, and my individual fire lit!
