The ending of a season is always difficult for many reasons. For the better part of five months, players and coaches spend at least part of almost every day together practicing, watching film, planning and enjoying team events, and playing games all throughout the long Minnesota winter. Players spend countless hours during the offseason working on the fundamentals of the game, shooting or dribbling in the gym or driveway alone or with a friend with visions of success in big games that lie months into the future. Much time, effort, and emotion are invested in being part of a team, and when that team’s season comes to an end, there is always a sense of sadness as well as a tendency to self-analyze and ask the question “What if?” Those thoughts are the part of every season, but they are much more magnified when the team has fell just seconds short of accomplishing their biggest goal. The 2009-2010 Rogers Royals will be remembered as a team of three D’s—defense, desire, and determination. Early in the season, the team was not given much of a chance by many to be a factor in their conference or section, and by early game results, those predictions appeared to be correct. However, the girls on the team quickly realized that when they played with the traits of the three D’s, that they could stand up tall against any challenge they would face. As the season progressed, this team grew comfortable in its own skin and found a formula that would lead to much success as they traveled the long journey that is the high school basketball schedule. The players began to truly believe in themselves and in each other as they overcame each hurdle they encountered. Despite several double-digit deficits, difficult opponents, and injury, the team continued to persevere in their quest of attaining the goals they set before themselves.We fast forward to the present time as the curtain drops on another basketball season. For the reason previously described, we choose to focus on the positive lessons learned and the attributes gained by the team rather than to ask “What if?” This team matured and developed into one that can proudly set itself into the history books alongside the others that have become before it in this program’s short but rich history as one that earned the respect of many not by the final result but by the character and class displayed both on and off the court. While the ultimate goal may not have been reached, the members of this team gained many experiences that will lead them into successful futures not only in basketball, but in life in the real world.As everyone heads into another offseason and team members go their separate ways, we must pause to say thank you. First, thank you to our seniors who have given the past four years o f their high school experience to our program. These young ladies have helped build a bridge between the great Rogers teams of the past to the upcoming teams that will look to continue the rich tradition of our program in the years to come. We wish them God’s blessings and much luck in the future that lies before them. We also must say thank you to those who have supported the team in a variety of ways. We appreciate the time that parents have put in not only traveling to games this season but also to guiding their daughters throughout their basketball experiences from a young age. Without the help of our school administrators, trainer, and custodians, we would not be able to provide a first-class experience for our team each day and for our opponents on game nights. Finally, we must say thank you to our boosters who donate a generous amount of time and energy in providing the means to allow our teams to enjoy many memorable opportunities throughout their tenure in our program that are not found in many other schools. To all who have assisted our program in one way or another, we give thanks.In closing, while the end of the season is a time of reflection and celebration, it is also a time to put an eye to the future and begin preparations for the seasons yet to come. After some well-deserved time off, players will head back into driveways, gyms, and weight rooms to start the process of improving themselves for the challenges that lie ahead. Coaches will organize summer basketball activities and analyze the needs for the team and program to continue to move forward and to take the next step in their quest for excellence. Before we know it, a new season will be upon us all; the Royals will be ready, will you?Until the next tipoff,Coach Digiovanni
