Coach: As the season winds down, some do's and don'ts for our local hoops squads

It has been a truly amazing basketball season here in Glenview and Northbrook.

On the girls' side, all three teams have enjoyed great success. Loyola has been racking up the wins, as it seems they do every year, while Glenbrook South and Glenbrook North likewise have successful squads that have had more than their share of heart-pounding, ulcer-inducing late-game finishes. Some have ended in wins, some in losses, but fortunately much more of the former!

Meanwhile on the boys' side, more of the same - and then some! It has been a long time since both the Spartans and Titans teams have been this strong in the same season. The two squads are garnering attention statewide and, awhile back, played each other to a thrilling two-point game made even a little more thrilling by a furious GBN comeback in the fourth quarter. (Tuesday result not available before this writing).

The memories being made by these two teams have already been palpable, but surely more are on the way.

Lest we forget our good friends down a bit east on Lake Avenue. The boys in Maroon and Gold have been one of the most consistent winning programs in the area for over a decade now. This year's Loyola Rambler squad came into the season with much less fanfare than previous years, minus the "stars" or big names they might typically showcase, but in a true sign of a quality program, where it could have potentially been a down year, the new players have stepped in and filled shoes more than admirably, and the Ramblers are well on their way to yet another winning season.

What the heck, while we are at it we can go even a little farther east and celebrate a terrific season for New Trier Trevian boys and girls teams. The Trev boys last week found a way to halt, at least temporarily, the GBS runaway victory caravan with a big win at the Titan Dome - returning the favor of the GBS beatdown of the Trevs at their place back in December.

If - and it is a big if - these two teams meet again for a sectional championship? "Epic" might not even be enough to describe what that third round match up would be like.

So, all in all, an incredible season of hoops thus far here on the North Shore.

Note the term "thus far." But what happens from here? What will the fortunes of our local hoop squads be as they come down this final stretch with conference games, and then the always exciting win-or-go-home state tournament.

Following are some potential do's and don'ts that might be helpful to keep in mind for these final few weeks:

Do: Keep working. At this time of year very few teams stay the same. Some will tail off and fade a bit, while others will find yet another level. Reach hard for the latter.

Don't: This may seem to contradict the above, but don't condition, run, or lift weights too much at this time of year. This is the time of year to, as swimmers sometimes say, "taper off" on the cardio conditioning. Heavy legs and tired bodies can be a problem after a long season, so save all that energy for the big games.

Do: Put in a few new things. A few surprises. Maybe some trick plays or gimmick defenses. Two advantages here: It keeps athletes motivated and interested, which can be a concern over a long season, and other teams know everything you do at this point, so some well-timed surprises could be just the recipe for a big upset or big win.

Don't: Extend practice times. In fact, quite the opposite. Shorter more efficient practices work best this time of year.

Do: (and this is especially for you seniors) relish the moments. You're final playing days are winding down. For most seniors this will be the last time putting on a school uniform and playing in front of cheering crowds. So, enjoy every moment. From the school day anticipation, to the lockeroom, to the pregame warm up, all the way through the game itself and the handshakes afterward. They are all memories you will cherish, so don't forget to live in the moment.

Don't: Start shortening your bench. Many coaches in tight tournament games and big game atmospheres become hesitant to use the bench players who have helped make them successful during the year. The pressure of the game and the crowd can influence this. Don't let it. Go with what has made you successful all along. Trust the boys/girls on the bench.

Do: Work on late game situations. There are so many it is hard to prepare for all scenarios, but as best you can, go over all potential late game strategies and special plays. You never know when one you have gone over could make the difference between winning and losing.

Don't: Read the papers too much. A little strange coming from someone who writes in a newspaper, I know, but take it for what it is worth. Maybe more modernly spoken, we should say be careful of following social media too much this time of year. All of the "talk" can get you overconfident, overhyped, or just plain too nervous to perform at your best. Keep your eye on the prize and focus on the goals ahead of you, not on the chatter from the outside.

Do: Believe you can pull off the upset. This message is for teams that have struggled a bit during the season. One of the beautiful things about the IHSA State Basketball Tournament is that every team gets to play. Regardless of how the regular season went, the slate is now wiped clean, and you have another chance at redemption. But it won't happen if the team and the individuals don't believe it will. Forget the other team's record. Forget that they are a much higher seed. Anything can happen in one game. Every year, there are big upsets in the tournament, so have some faith that maybe this is the year your team will be the one.

Don't: Take for granted these final regular season games. Sometimes with the tournament looming ahead, players can lose a little of the edge and motivation for the final regular season games. Fight this tendency. Every game matters. Every game is precious. Keep that competitive edge, and never take any contest for granted.

One final Don't: Don't forget to handle defeat with the greatest of class and sportsmanship. Remember, basically every team but one will lose their final game. It is the way of world in tournament brackets. Everyone loses eventually. So when you do, as tough and painful a moment as it may be, find a way to keep your composure, congratulate the winners, keep your head high and relish those final moments you have with your team and coaches.

This is the time of year when memories are made for basketball fans, coaches and players. Enjoy.

• Jon Cohn of Glenview is a coach, retired PE teacher, sports official and prep sports fan. To contact him with comments or story ideas, email jcsportsandtees@aol.com.