This weekend was one for the memory books. I love March. The weather starts to warm up a little, birds are chirping, and tournament basketball is in full force. Ever since I was little the first week of March has been spent in Boise ID for the Idaho state basketball tournament. The sounds and smells of the Ford Idaho Center are special and bring back so many good (and not so good…losing the state championship being one) memories over the years. One of the main reasons I love watching tournament basketball is the culmination of extremely hard work over many years with one goal in mind… bring home the State Championship.

Whether you are a basketball fan or not, there is a whole lot about life that can be learned from the game. How to win, how to lose with grace, how to overcome adversity, how to be a team player, how to respect your coaches and peers, and the list goes on. One of the proudest moments I’ve had as a coach came yesterday when I watched my boys who found themselves down 22-8 at the end of the 1st quarter to the #1 team in the state and find a way to battle back and win the consolation championship. Although it wasn’t necessarily the game we wanted to be playing on Saturday, It was the team we wanted, and It was one of the greatest games I have ever been a part of. They showed tremendous heart. Its situations like those that they can look back on for the rest of their lives to draw strength from. I told the boys after the game that “if you go about life with that same fight and resolve you showed today, you will never lose at anything you decide to do with your life.” There were a lot of tears shed in that locker room as we hugged as a team and gave thanks for having the opportunity to grow together as men.

Fast forward to Saturday night. The Ford Idaho Center is buzzing with excitement to watch the heavyweight 4A State championship between the Hillcrest Knights (whom many would argue are the best team in the state) taking on the Pocatello Thunder. Lets just say this.. it wasn’t even close. My boys jumped on Pocatello like fleas on a dog from the tip and never looked back. It was hard to control the emotions as I looked around me before tip off and saw a sea of family support for our nephews Cooper and Kobe Kesler (who dropped 18 and 20 points respectfully) and dominated every aspect of the game. Guys….family is everything. Just ask Reid who had a really hard time switching out his Madison shirt for a Hillcrest one. His Madison loyalty runs deep. But after a good “blood is thicker than water” talk, he peeled off the red and white and sported the red and black… for his cousins. My point is this, no one saw the hours and hours Cooper and Kobe spent in the gym. Early mornings and late nights. Rep after rep, perfecting their craft. Hard work pays off. But does it always pay off the way we want it too? For Cooper and Kobe it did, but what about the teams who put in the hard work and came out on the L side of the bracket? The only way we leave losers, or leave defeated, is the day we quit.

That’s what it’s all about, working towards perfection. Will we ever get there? Will I be a perfect husband, father, business partner, friend, etc? Probably not. I make mistakes every day. But I won’t ever quit. What are you working towards? What are you trying to perfect? Keep working, never quit. Are you looking to take a risk? Take on a challenge? Job promotion? Go do it! Sometimes the only thing holding you back is you! I have been going to the gym consistently now for almost 8 years. I have always loved fitness, but the training was hit and miss for me due to outlying factors. That is no longer an issue for me. I am perfect in my consistent effort. Control what you can control. Go after what makes you uncomfortable. Start today, tomorrow is too late. I’m excited to grow with you all. Don’t quit. Have a SMOOOOOOOOOOOOTH week.

Love,

Cabe