Episode 94 - Tony McIntyre - Orangeville Prep (Canada) Head Coach

816 Basketball presents The Greatest Games Podcast. Join us for Episode 94 as Tony McIntyre, head coach of Orangeville Prep in Mono, Ontario, tells us about his greatest game.

Coach McIntyre takes us to Riverview Park for an EPIC matchup in the Peach Jam that featured future pros such as Andrew Wiggins, Aaron Gordon and many more. Coach’s team suffers a heartbreaking loss at the end, but it was also a game full of teachable moments. Below is the poem that Tony and Brian mention during this episode.

Learn more about Orangeville Prep basketball at gobears.ca and see their incredible rosters from years gone by. Follow Coach McIntyre on Twitter at @CoachTonyMac.

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IT'S ONLY ONE POSSESSION

By

Jeff Smith

It was only one possession

Why must my coach scream,

My poor defense permitted the basket

But what can one hoop mean?

As the pass comes my direction,

And I fumble it into the stands,

The coach's voice rings loud and clear,

"Catch with your eyes and hands!"

C'mon, coach, it's a single possession,

Our team will be okay.

It's just the first two minutes,

My gosh, we've got all day.

At the 10 minute mark I remember

That the center is strong and stout.

A putback for two, quite simply due

To my failure to turn and block out.

But it was only one possession,

I didn't commit a crime,

My team is ahead and I'm playing well,

And there's still plenty of time!

As the halftime buzzer is sounding,

And I watch the ball bank in,

I know I will hear from my loving coach

Of my questionable effort to defend.

But it was only one possession,

Coach-don't have a heart attack!

We're down by one, but we're having fun,

I know we'll get the lead back!

The second half mirrors the first,

But it's early, it's not a big deal

That my failure to use a pass fake

Results in an unlikely steal.

But quickly I sink a jumper.

I'm greeted by high fives and slaps,

But the next possession I give up a layup

While suffering mental lapse.

But it's only one possession,

C'mon, Coach, chill out.

It's crazy to see you disgusted

As you slap the assistant and shout.

"Victory favors the team making

the fewest mistakes.

Single possessions are the key.

So treat them like gold and do as

you're told,

and play with intensity."

I step to the line for one and one,

But I'm having a concentration lapse.

The ball soars through the air-

Good lord, it's a brick!

I'm afraid the support will collapse.

In post game I sit at my locker,

Pondering what more I could do.

I realize the value of each possession,

What a shame that we lost by two.