Activities Department Update
February 27- March 11
From the AD's Desk
The Last Dance Episodes 3&4
As basketball season has ended, we are continuing our series of analyzing leadership and championship mentality displayed in the documentary, The Last Dance.
Making a Winning Franchise
Once Michael Jordan was drafted by the Bulls in 1984, the organization and Michael soon found out that, in order to change the culture, they had to take a reflective look at their practices. In order to create a winning franchise, you lose the losing mentality. Everyone on board must eliminate the negative self-talk and lack of confidence. They have to work hard every day, not just when it is easy or seems like they can win. They have to hold each other accountable to high expectations. Having vocal leaders who lead by example are crucial in this process.
"No individual is going to be the team."- Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan throughout his career earned scoring records, had high point averages each season, and was the most prolific scorer in the league. His peers and critics recognized him as an elite scorer and the best player, but he was not capable of helping his team win a championship. For two years in a row, Jordan and the Bulls had to suffer devastating losses to the physical, dominating Detroit Pistons. Coach Phil Jackson sat Jordan down and told him, "I don't worry about you, we need to find a way to make everyone else better and be threats." From that moment on, Jordan understood that if he wanted to achieve his goals of champion status, he needed to help develop his teammates, because winning by himself wasn't going to happen when teams can strategize to stop him. His energy was directed towards his teammates and getting them to excel. He led by example, going hard in practice and giving his all in every game. He would hold his teammates to the same standard he did himself, and he would help utilize his teammates' strengths. Every athlete changed their mentality, difficult was good and they were going to do anything it took to win.
Losing Lessons Lead to Legacies
For two years in a row, the Detroit Pistons knocked Jordan and the Bulls out of the playoffs. At the time, the Pistons were considered one of the most dominant teams assembled, and they did so by outdoing their opponents physically, intimidating them mentally, and their confidence was unmatched. After those two years, Jordan and the Bulls had enough. Instead of going on vacation like many teams do once eliminated, they went directly into weight training, transforming their bodies and their mentality in order to defeat the team that kept them from their championship goals. The Bulls were not going to back down to anyone anymore. Once teams get into this mentality, scary good things happen.
Dennis Rodman, Interesting Role Player
The NBA has been full of interesting characters in its history, none more than Dennis Rodman. Besides his extra antics and challenges outside of basketball, Rodman was known as the most physical and high energy defender and rebounder on the court. He would study his opponent, knowing their strengths and weaknesses. He used anticipation to collect numerous rebounds, steals, and blocks. He was willing to dive into the stands for a loose ball. He set the tone for the game on defense and supported the scorers like Jordan and Pippen on the offensive side. That was his role, and he understood it. In any program, everyone plays an important role. For some, that is getting significant playing time or points, and for others, it is doing the dirty work and being a crucial participant in practice challenging the teammates to get them better as well as earning the playing time one wants.
Weeks in Review 🏀 🩰 🎳 🤼♂️
Girls Basketball
The following girls earned All-Conference recognition, an accomplishment that is well deserved!
Kenna Sandoval- 1st Team, Co-Player of the Year
Taylor Jones- 2nd Team
Nora Lampe- 2nd Team
JaydenMueller- Honorable Mention
Macie Doty- Honorable Mention
Boys Basketball
The boys ended the season this Tuesday with a district final loss at Iowa City Regina. Their record finished 15-8.
To finish out the regular season, the boys defeated Davis County. After a first round Bye, the boys defeated the Falcons of West Burlington in a low scoring defensive showing for both teams, 44-39. After a scoreless 2nd quarter, the Hawks recovered, keeping the Falcons behind the whole game with the solid defense. It came down to free throws winning the game, Central Lee made six more free throws on fewer attempts than the Falcons, the same amount it would have taken to beat the Hawks.
In the District Final game, the Hawks were faced with the tall task (literally) of taking on the #2 ranked Regals at Regina High School. Through three quarters, the Hawks competed well against the tough and physically overwhelming Regals, keeping closer than the majority of the Regals' opponents throughout this season. Will Hayes and the Swan brothers (Owen and Kaden) all scored 10 points each, but once the buzzer signaled the end of the game, the Hawks season ended. In a mixture of sadness and pride, the four seniors, Ward Fraise, Owen Swan, Will Hayes, and Brody Moeller can look back at their basketball careers here at Central Lee and see how much development they experienced and how they have left a lasting legacy here at Central Lee. Four great young men!
Boys Bowling
The Bowling Boys ended their season hosting one of the 1A State Qualifying meets last Monday. The team placed 5th out of 8 teams in the 15 Baker Games Team Tournament. In the Individual Tournament, juniors Chad Barnhardt (559), Tate Gallerick (557), and Emery Edmondson (502) all led the Hawks in scoring. In their inaugural year, the boys performed well, collecting two wins and competing against solid opponents. Congratulations Coach Estrada and team!
Boys Wrestling (Shared with FM)
Our four wrestlers (Jack Benner, James Fuller, Peter Seyb, and Baylor Ferreira) competed well in the District Wrestling Match a couple of weeks ago. Jack Benner was eliminated in the consolation bracket. Peter Seyb lost a match, but recovered and placed 3rd in the district, just missing qualifying for state. James Fuller received a first round Bye and fought his way to the championship match, but losing to Bettis from Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, Bettis and the Rockets would go on to be the state champions. Baylor Ferreira went 2-0 to start the tournament, but fell to the district champion and state champion, Fadgett. Baylor would recover and earn 2nd place with a win. Fuller and Ferreira both qualified for State.
At the State Wrestling Tournament, James Fuller bowed out after losing his first and only two matches that included a surprising loss to a pin after being in the lead most of the match. Baylor Ferreira lost his first match, but responded with a strong win to advance him into the second day of the tournament. In his third and final match, Ferreira wrangled his opponent well, leading in points until he was pinned by a more experienced opponent from Independence. Congratulations to both Fuller and Ferreira on making it to the State Tournament!
Impulse Night
Impulse will send a few dancers to perform at the All-Iowa Dance Team next week.
Hawks in Action
Winter Sports
Schedules can be found on our Bound website.
Impulse Dance Team
State Site: ISDTA
All-Iowa Dance Performance- Mar 5-7
Science Fair
@ Eastern Iowa Science and Engineering Fair- Mar 21
@ State Science and Engineering Fair- Mar 26-27
Show Choir
Central Connections- Feb 28
@ Fort Madison- Mar 7
Track and Field
Boys @ Central College Indoor Meet- Mar 19
Soccer
1st Practice- Mar 16
Girls @ West Branch- Mar 30
Golf
1st Practice- Mar 16
@ Nike Golf Invitational- Mar 31
Athlete Spotlight
Announcements and Updates
*NEW* Winter Sports Banquet
The Winter Sports Banquet will be held in the Performance Gym on March 5 starting at 6:00pm. This will include cheerleaders, dancers, basketball players, wrestlers, and bowlers.
*NEW* Spring Sports Registration and Sign-Ups
Spring is upon us! All students who are interested in participating in a spring sport need to make sure they have a current physical and proof of insurance, with the physical also uploaded to Bound. Students also need to register for the sport on Bound. If a student or parent has already done this process for the sport earlier in the year, they do not need to do it again. Contact the AD for support.
*NEW* Sports Boosters Baseball/Softball Initiative- Progress!
Rebuilding of the moved baseball dugouts is in progress. Fencing is beginning to be removed on the baseball field, getting ready to replace it with new black fencing. Quotes and designs for the new scoreboards are in the final stages as well. This project is close to being done, but we need to continue to make a fundraising push to finish it out. Thank you to the contractors, facilities team with Jesse Day, and the Sports Boosters for their constant work in this project. Our kids are the ones who benefit from this renovation, allowing them to perform on high level facilities.
*NEW* Kenna Sandoval College Signing
We will celebrate Kenna Sandoval's decision to sign with Iowa Western Community College on March 11 at 3:00pm as she will not be able to attend the scheduled College Signing Day in May. Media, Family, and friends are welcome to attend.
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.
Coaching Vacancies
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. Interested in getting your Coaching License? Follow this link for the process to obtain it: Coaching Authorization
Varsity Assistant Football Coach
Middle School Baseball Coach URGENT
Middle School Baseball Coach URGENT
Middle School Football Coach
Middle School Girls Basketball Coach
Middle School Boys Basketball Coach.