<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
There is a somewhat boring trend among modern coaches now at every level, a form of hyper-focus where a player is meant to disregard all larger context to a game—don’t think about what you’re playing for, or who might be next, or what people might write about you. <\/span>Just focus in on the little details, and let the big stuff work itself out later. <\/span>If you remember Bill Belichek mumbling, “We’re just worried about the Buffalo Bills next week” over and over again during the Pats’ 16-0 season, you know this style.<\/p>\n But, refreshingly, it’s not how Poly coach Carl Buggs is preparing his team for their shot at history this Saturday—if they can beat Monte Vista, they’ll become the first team in CIF history to win four straight Division I state championships. <\/span>And Buggs wants his team to know what they’re playing for. <\/span>“We’ve grasped the moment, and made the kids realize this could be a history-making event, if they work for it,” he says. <\/span>“Now, it’s a game, in the realness of what’s going on, it’s one game, with some hard matchups for us. <\/span>But the opportunity that is there within this game is different.”<\/p>\n After a grueling four games in six days last week, Buggs and his girls are grateful for the week layoff in between games (remember their season started four months, ago, too). <\/span>There’s been plenty of ice dispensed at the Poly training room this week, as a squad who’s been plagued by injuries this season (Sheila Boykin’s knee, Ariya Crook-Williams’ concussion, Kelli Thompson’s broken wrist, to name three) tries to get healthy enough to play 32 more minutes of high-quality ball. <\/span>The extra time has also allowed for plenty of reflection, both on what the win would mean for the team, and for its individual players as well.<\/p>\n Thompson in particular could set an impressive standard—since she was a player on the varsity team her freshman season, this could be her fourth state title, a record that could never be broken, but only equaled. <\/span>“We’re hoping it rallies the team,” says Buggs, “To be a part of something special in her life. <\/span>That’s what teamwork is all about.”<\/p>\n Of course, it would be an impressive accomplishment for the school as well, and a great <\/span>achievement for a fanbase that’s not easily impressed. <\/span>“For Poly itself, it would set a standard,” Buggs says. <\/span>Within a 32-minute game against the talented Mustangs of Monte Vista, lies the chance to create quite a standard indeed.<\/p>\n For more on Kelli Thompson’s journey to her fourth straight championship, and for a scouting report on the Monte Vista Mustangs, as well as driving directions and the keys to victory for Poly, check LBPostSports.com over the next two days as we count down to Saturday’s 6pm tipoff, which we’ll be reporting from live.<\/i><\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Coach Carl Buggs and his team are well-aware of what’s on the line this Saturday. 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