Well folks, I had an absolutely wonderful and amazing time watching the action, taking a bunch of photos, chattin’ with Coach Smisek, talking up a storm about each game to my wife and my co-workers, and of course writing the articles on www.mdlblog.com.
When I stepped into The Hive for my first game, I was extremely nervous…I had no clue what to expect and how everything was gonna go down!! But, dude, as soon I saw the jump ball, my nerves disappeared and I was a FAN!!!
I dragged my “official photographer” who happens to to be the famous, Warren Lieberman (aka as my Dad) with me to games at Antonian and the the University of the Incarnate Word.
The Yellow Jackets Senior Night was at the good ole confides of The Hive and I was so happy to be a part of the celebration.
The last game I attended was at the TAPPS District 2-5A Tournament at Incarnate Word and even though St. Anthony lost, they still made the playoffs. I am still trying to figure that out!
From the get-go, I was really impressed with Seniors Jackson Becker and Khalil Howard, the captains of the team. I hope they get the opportunity to show-off there skills in college.
It is very rare these days to have a Freshmen on the Varsity basketball team, but the Yellow Jackets have one in Brandon Armstrong and he is only going to get stronger and taller and that is very scary for the competition…this kid can play!!!
The season ended for the Yellow Jackets on February 22nd at College Station in the TAPPS 5A first round of the playoffs.
The overall record for St. Anthony was 19 wins and 13 losses. They had 3 wins and 3 losses in TAPPS District 2-5A.
I recently caught up with Coach Smisek (not on the slopes at Vail during Spring Break) and asked him some questions that I have been pondering about.
Mark: What were your thoughts on the season?
Coach Smisek: I am very proud of our guys, especially our Seniors, this year. I’m the 3rd varsity coach they have played for and even though this is my 2nd year, it’s still an adjustment. They really bought in to what we want to do…and more importantly, HOW we want to do it. Our guys are starting to get tougher, both physically and mentally…and all the future successes that, in my opinion, are coming – this group of Seniors will know that had a HUGE part in changing the mentally of what & how we do it.
We finished the year 19-12, which is…ok. Last year we won 22 games and lost in the 1st round of the playoffs. I told everybody that I didn’t think we would win 22 games this year (we scheduled a difficult non-district season intentionally, playing 12 UIL 4A & 5A teams {going 6-6 against them}), but I thought we would go further in the playoffs; turns out I was only half-right. Once again we lost in the 1st round of the playoffs. It’s a disappointing end to the season and our locker room was very emotional afterwards.
I told the Seniors how much I loved them and everything they have given and how they have bought in to what we are doing. That part alone took me about 5 minutes because I was crying like a baby…we are going to miss these Seniors – they are a great group of young men and I am very proud of them.
We won a tournament this year; had a miserable showing in the SAISD tournament, getting beat by both Jefferson & Taft, but beating McAllen; and came in 2nd place in the SACS tournament. We had 3 buzzer beaters (Senior RJ Chavez hit the game winner vs. TMI to start the season; Senior Khalil Howard hit a 3 at the buzzer to beat SACS; and Freshman Brandon Armstrong got a tip-in at the buzzer to beat Austin St. Michael in our district opener in Austin) this year which is always fun for the fans (not the coaches).
Other than our games vs. Taft & Judson, I didn’t feel like we were killed or outclassed at all (both of them beat the crap out of us, but that’s how we prepare for our very difficult district).
Mark: What are your expectations for next season?
Coach Smisek: With only a couple of returning contributors to the team, they will have to step up their play if we are going to be successful. Junior Stephen Wallace (2 year letterman), Junior Matt Benavides (1 year letterman), Sophomore Jax Chavez (1 year letterman) and Freshman Brandon Armstrong (1 year letterman) will make up the nucleus of the team, with Juniors Marc Rybczynski and Justin DeLuna bringing some toughness and great attitudes. If they don’t we will end up having a serious rebuilding season…and that’s not in the plan!
Mark: What are you going to do during the off-season?
Coach Smisek: As all coaches know, the start of the off season means getting to know the family again – home before dark, time with the wife & kids, things like that.
I will have a meeting with my coaching staff (Louis Martinez & Thomas Wright) and we will start talking about summer leagues and AAU ball for our kids and next year.
We try to find the right fit for our kids & want them to play with the right AAU coach/program that is going to do the following things:
1. Help them improve individually
2. Give our kids a chance to compete all summer
3. Play with the right coach…somebody with our mentally & philosophy and also, the parents have to be comfortable with the program.
As a staff we will attend the TABC clinic for sure and I’m trying to schedule a visit up to Stephen F. Austin to talk to my old boss, Danny Kaspar, about some defensive things (he’s the best I’ve ever know defensively – bar none).
Mark: What does the team do during the off-season?
Coach Smisek: We start our off-season strength & conditioning program on Monday, March 18th. I design our weight program with our kids and personalize it for each player; when we do agility & conditioning we do it together, everybody doing the same drills/exercises.
Right now we are going to work on just getting physically stronger. We are weak and in our district, that means we get pushed around on the boards. We will hold Open Gyms after school and have some athletic period time to work individually. It’s a little difficult this season, because practically all of our kids in the program play other sports, so I have very little time with them…but that’s the beauty of being at the BEST Catholic High School in San Antonio – I’m not going to tell a kid he can’t play another sport. The 4-year window called High School athletics is so short and goes so quick, that if I have a kid who can help another program, more power to them.
I tell our kids go be the best baseball player, best football players, best lacrosse player you can be…but don’t let October 17th be the next time you pick up a basketball!
Mark: Any closing thoughts?
Coach Smisek: It is a great time to be at St. Anthony Catholic High School.
The Yellow Jackets are buzzing – we have such a wonderful, dedicated group of teachers – they are here early for tutoring and stay late to help/reteach things if a student needs some assistance. Who could ask for anything more than that?
We are piloting an iPad only class (Physics) and are looking to expand that technology to other classes.
To date, the graduating class of 2013 has earned over $6 million in scholarships (104 students) and is still counting.
Our Principal, Mr. Rene Escobedo, really cares about all facets of St. Anthony and is an excellent administrator; and our Dean of Preparatory Programs (like a Superintendent in a public school district) allows us to develop and grow within the Brainpower Connection to the University of the Incarnate Word…meaning our students get to take classes AT UIW with real university professors, surrounded by other university students. It just prepares kids a little bit better for what life is like in college vs. a Dual Credit classroom at your local high school.
I’m excited for the future of St. Anthony and our boys basketball program – great coaching staff and kids not afraid to work hard. What more could you ask for?
I just love Coach Smisek’s enthusiasm for St. Anthony, basketball, and the kids!!! Wow!!!
Coach Smisek, thank you so much for making me feel like part of the team. I am looking forward to next season. Yep, you are stuck with me now!!
Thank you Jackson, Khalil, Brandon, and the rest of the Yellow Jackets team for the wonderful memories you have left in my brain. I am so thankful that I got to watch this exceptional team on there journey.
I know High School football takes over my life on Thursdays, Friday’s, and Saturdays (oh my gosh, it starts in 5 months!!!), but I would like to attend some St. Anthony football games this season (Coach Smisek, pass this on to the football coach)!!