Activities Department Update

Every winter I find myself rewatching the documentary, The Last Dance, chronicling the Chicago Bulls in their prime time with Michael Jordan. It is easily my favorite documentary (I was a history teacher, yes I have favorite documentaries) and there are plenty of leadership and mental performance lessons that can be taken from it. I am a proponent of replicating what the greats do in your own way, so I feel like as we get to the end of the basketball season, I might as well share my takeaways from the docuseries. In a time where baggy suits and legendary athletes were conquering the basketball scene, what made these athletes great?

1. When Michael Jordan was drafted by the Bulls, he promised the fans and the organization that he would bring home championships and make the franchise respected. The series begins with the Bulls pursuing their sixth championship during the 1997–98 season, highlighting how every athlete clearly understood their role. Jordan was the star. Pippen was the elite ball handler and playmaker. Rodman was the punishing defender and rebounder. Bench players rose to the occasion and became elite contributors off the bench.

2. Jordan is the greatest basketball player ever, because he didn't want to just be the best, he wanted to work towards being the greatest. In an interview with legendary North Carolina Basketball coach, Roy Williams, Williams described a conversation he had with Jordan before his freshman year.

Jordan- "I want to be the best to come through UNC... I work just as hard as everyone else."

Williams- "Excuse me, I thought you said you wanted to be the best."

Jordan- "No one will work harder than I will."

The Tarheels went on to becoming the 1982 champions off of incredible performances by Jordan, including a last second buzzer in front of thousands of fans as an 19 year old freshman. His confidence, his determination to get better and better, and his ability to never switch off his competitive drive put him in the place to become successful and launch his career.

3. Early in his career, Jordan kept clean of the alcohol and drugs that were frequent in the professional basketball league at the time. He earned himself a spot on the team despite doubters and those who praised him, because he was going to do anything in his power to not lose. His teammates knew it, and it impacted how they played and carried themselves.

4. At the age of 21, Jordan won Rookie of the Year for his stellar season. His ability to play as one of the best players in the league of extraordinary talent was due to his confidence and swagger. If Michael Jordan did not have confidence in himself nor the drive to be the best, Jordan's career would have ended in college, or even high school.

5. Michael Jordan understood playing the game was a blessing. He played every game as if it were his last. He knew fans were there to watch him put on a stellar show, he never "load managed." His passion, his desire to be the best, his leadership in pushing and collaborating with his teammates heightened everyone's ability to play the game, allowing them to become one of the greatest sports teams ever to be assembled.

If you want to be the best, you must do your best to separate yourself from the rest.

Our Varsity girls are 6-7 and currently stand in the middle of the pack of the SEISC. Recently, they fell short to rival, Van Buren County, as a last second shot by the Warriors sent the game into overtime ending in a loss. The girls have then flipped wins and losses after beating the Crusaders at Holy Trinity, lost to Fort Madison on a Saturday, earned a strong win against Coach Hickey's alma mater, Notre Dame, and then lost in the last few minutes of the game against Centerville. The Ladies finished the week out with a loss to Danville at home on Youth Night.

Kenna Sandoval continues her strong season, averaging a double-double with 17.4 PPG and 10.5 Rebounds a game, including her 27 point game at Van Buren and 20 point game against the Crusaders. Kenna leads the conference in rebounds and is second in points. Taylor Jones has come to life on offense after scoring a career high 23 points at Notre Dame coming off her 8 steals that game. Nora Lampe continues to be a 3 point threat, scoring 15 points in two of the last four games of which all points came off five three pointers.

Our varsity boys are 9-3 as they continue to fight for a top spot in the SEISC. The boys went on a 3-0 streak with wins against Van Buren, a double overtime thriller against Holy Trinity, and then a strong showing against Fort Madison. This week, the team fell to #3 ranked (1A) Notre Dame and then had a solid win against Danville at Youth Night.

Will Hayes and Carson Morrison lead the offensive attack, averaging 13.9 and 13.6 PPG respectively. Carson has scored 15+ points in multiple games lately, and Will dropped 21 on the Bloodhounds. Four Hawks scored double digits against the Van Buren Warriors: Carson (18), Will (13), Owen Swan (11), Brody Moeller (14). Will Hayes is leading the team with 7 rebounds a game and has 2 blocks a game. The Swan brothers each average a steal a game as well as dishing out 3 assists a game.

Our girls placed 2nd in a triangular with Keokuk and Washington, losing to Keokuk. Serena Liebelt had her best performance earning 345 pins knocked down and a 208 highest game. Krystal DeBrackeleire placed 5th with 321 pins knocked down with 184 high game. The girls lost to Keokuk in the Baker Games, but the girls continue to get better at each meet as a young team.

As a team our boys fell to Keokuk at the recent triangular against Washington and Keokuk, losing to Keokuk in pins knocked and Baker Games. Chad Barnhardt did knock down the most pins at 489 and had a highest game of 255. Luke Kruse had the 3rd highest game with 213. The boy continue to improve and grow confidence in themselves.

- Girls-

Aubree Bunnell continues to impress with her 3-1 record at Highland. Unfortunately, Aubree did not have an opponent at the last meet.

- Boys-

The Central Lee Boys continue to be huge pieces to Fort Madison's wrestling team. Jack Benner went 2-2 at Highland for Varsity, and Peter Seyb went 1-1 while Baylor Ferreira went 2-2 in JV, beating out the varsity wrestler for Fort Madison. All boys wrestled at the varsity level at the Senior Night Home meet. Jack Benner won his solo match by fall, Baylor Ferreira won by forfeit, James Fuller won by tech fall, and Peter Seyb won by fall. At the Hannibal Invitational last week, James Fuller placed 2nd after going 4-1, Peter Seyb placed 5th and went 3-1, Baylor Ferreira went 4-2 and placed 5th, and Jack Benner rounded the boys out going 1-3 and placed 6th. The boys continue to show strength on the mat!

Schedules can be found on our Bound website.

*These are HS Level Programs below:

Impulse Dance Team

State Site: ISDTA

The Dance Challenge- Jan 31

Girls Bowling - 1A

State Site: IGHSAU Bowling

@ West Burlington- Jan 20

@ Louisa-Muscatine- Jan 26

Boys Bowling- 1A

State Site: IHSAA Bowling

@ West Burlington- Jan 20

@ Louisa-Muscatine- Jan 26

Girls Basketball- 3A

State Site: IGHSAU Basketball

JV/Varsity vs Danville- Jan 16 (Youth Night)

Varsity @ New London- Jan 20

Varsity @ Winfield- Mount Union- Jan 22

JV/Varsity @ West Burlington- Jan 23

JV/Varsity @ Mediapolis- Jan 27

JV/Varsity vs Van Buren County- Jan 30 (Senior Night)

JV/Varsity @ Keokuk- Jan 31

Boys Basketball- 2A

State Site: IHSAA Basketball

JV/Varsity vs Danville- Jan 16 (Youth Night)

Varsity @ New London- Jan 20

Varsity @ Winfield- Mount Union- Jan 22

JV/Varsity @ West Burlington- Jan 23

JV/Varsity @ West Hancock (Warsaw)- Jan 26

JV/Varsity @ Mediapolis- Jan 27

JV/Varsity vs Van Buren County- Jan 30 (Senior Night)

JV/Varsity @ Keokuk- Jan 31

Girls and Boys Wrestling (Shared with Fort Madison)- 2A

State Sites: IHSAA and IGHSAU

Girls @ Mid-Prairie- Jan 16

Boys vs Hannibal- Jan 17

Girls and Boys @ Keokuk- Jan 22

Boys @ Belle Plaine- Jan 24

Boys @ Fairfield- Jan 31

E-Sports (Overwatch 2)

State Site: IAHSEA

E-Sports Smash Bros Tournament @ CL- Jan 17

vs Fayette Valley- Jan 20

vs New London- Jan 27

Science Fair

Central Lee High School Fair- Feb 1

*NEW* Sports Boosters Baseball/Softball Initiative- Progress!

The current baseball dugouts are in the process of being moved to the newly placed concrete paddings. Quotes and designs for the new scoreboards have been acquired and are in the final stages of approval and installation bidding. The Sports Boosters have been working hard at raising the funds necessary to complete this major renovation project. We are soon entering the final stages of the renovation which will need further donations and money raised, so any help is appreciated! Central Lee Activities Department appreciates all of the donations, hard work, and money raised to this point by the Sports Boosters, facilities staff and administration of Central Lee, community, and business partners that have contributed to this point. Our student-athletes are the ones who benefit from projects such as this, so thank you all!

Central Lee Sponsorship Opportunities

Want your business logo to be displayed on the scorers table at all of the 35+ events hosted in our Performance gym? Want your business to have a spot in the new sports events programs? Maybe you want your business to have a logo on the football field? If you or someone you know want a chance to advertise your business at Central Lee, then take a look at the Sponsorship Catalog for this year.

Below are the current coaching vacancies in our district. If you are interested, please contact Tyler Bryant and apply online at TeachIowa. Applicants must have a current Iowa Coaching License/Endorsement. Looking for positive, reliable, and determined individuals for these positions.

Varsity Assistant Football Coach

Middle School Baseball Coach

Middle School Baseball Coach

"If you want to be the best, you must do your best to separate yourself from the rest."- Tyler Bryant