Coach: A look back at the Titans v. Trevians sectional championship

Before we delve into the Coach's Notepad on what was, unquestionably, the biggest game - won or lost - in Glenbrook South boys basketball history, a couple of truth in advertising points:

First, this column is being written without the benefit of knowing the result of the Monday supersectional game. Also, I am trying to keep this Coach's Corner column alive, but currently spending winters in Florida. So ... my comments here are based on watching the game via livestream.

OK - got that out of the way. Here we go!

• Before I forget: Thank you to Glenbrook South and YouTube TV for the livestream! Very cool, as I was able to see the entire game live on the full screen computer. I am not even sure who to thank specifically, because I don't really understand the technological logistics of how it happens. But whoever is responsible, thank you!

• So great to see the Titan Dome packed: What a fan turnout. What was especially great to see was all the former students and alumni, as well as parents who don't even have kids in the school anymore, still come out to root on the blue and gold. The Titan connection clearly goes well beyond just the fours years spent in school.

• Assuming the rumor is true: Thank you to an anonymous Titan fan who paid for 50 more tickets themselves, even after tickets had been officially sold out.

• It was a great game, but: The pressure was so intense, literally on every possession, I almost felt like neither team was really able to show their full athletic talents. Would love to see these same group of players, from both schools, go at it again in a scrimmage at a neutral gym with nothing on the line but pride and bragging rights.

• A class act: As tremendous a season as Nick Martinelli has had, what impresses me most about him is the composure, class and sportsmanship he displays. Not many may have noticed, but while the GBS fans stormed the court immediately after the pressure packed victory, Martinelli quickly broke from the pack and immediately went over to the handshake line, to exchange some emotional congratulations and acknowledgments with the New Trier players. He was the first Titan player to do so. Very classy and mature thing to do.

• Speaking of storming the court: Here is my suggestion for the fans. First, we have to acknowledge how uncomfortable it is for the losing team in a pressure-packed game to stand in dejection, waiting, while the winning team celebrates with their fans on the court for an extended amount of time. Often they get impatient and, understandably, just head to the locker room, bypassing the traditional handshake line.

Let me throw out what I think is a much better, and cooler, idea. Upon winning a huge game, players celebrate together immediately after the final horn sounds. That is only natural. But right after that, they should head over to the handshake line to acknowledge the other team. Let that great display of camaraderie and mutual respect happen right after the game. THEN, after the handshakes and acknowledgments are done, the winning team's players should walk to center court with the fans waiting for their signal. A little hushed anticipation. On the wave from the players, fans can then storm the court and let the celebration begin! The initial pause of excitement would be painful for the students, having to hold back all that pent up emotion, but the anticipation upon waiting, and then finally being released to run on the court, would be well worth the wait!

• Speaking of which, part two: Did I hear correctly, that the Titan PA announcer was yelling for fans to stay off the court? Really? In the greatest moment in GBS boys hoop history, you are trying to prevent the fans from celebrating with the players? No, no and one more no. Don't want to hear about the need for trophy presentations, cutting down the nets, taking pictures, etc. All that can wait. Let the fans share the moment!

• Side note: You notice I keep saying "greatest moment in BOYS Glenbrook South basketball history," lest our young fans out there, or those new to the community, forget that our GIRLS basketball team won the state championship in 1994 in one of the great surprise tournament runs in the history of Illinois basketball.

• Cooper Noard: What more can you say about this kid? I mean, when a great defensive team like New Trier knows you are a primary scorer and schemes to stop you, but you still score 27 points? You are the goods, my friend. Truly incredible clutch performance. Noard is not the biggest, not the fastest, not the strongest, not the highest jumper, but from an early age he willed himself through dedicated hard work to be an outstanding high school player. Last Friday night vs. New Trier was the culmination of all that hard work.

• To be fair: The Titans got the benefit of a few big calls (and noon calls!) down the stretch. Ones that could have gone either way. Let's just put it this way, thank goodness there was no "going to the replay camera for officials review" in this game.

• Kudos to the Titan bench: I have mentioned before there are talented guys on the GBS bench who all could be playing big minutes at other schools. But they have accepted their role, as they see the team winning and are enjoying their teammates success. But make no mistake, it is not easy for any high school player with legitimate varsity level talent to watch and not get to play.

• Once a coach, always a coach: An experienced team like New Trier should have gotten a much better shot off than they did with 4.5 seconds left in the game. Hoop fans know that 4.5 seconds is plenty of time to work and gather yourself for a legitimate squared up shot. But the Trevians' Karlo Colak took one dribble and forced up a bit of heave. Ouch, if you're a New Trier fan. Double ouch if you're No. 4 Josh Kirkpatrick, who was red hot with a capital RED down the stretch. And he never got to touch the ball for final shot?

• Once a coach always a coach part two: Sorry, but have to throw this in there. Once Trevian star shooter Josh Fiegan (23) fouled out, they basically had two kids in the game that were not going to shoot the ball under that kind of pressure. Knowing this, the Titans should have double teamed Kirkpatrick the entire last 3 minutes never allowing him to penetrate or shoot, let alone even touch the ball.

• 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.