Culture W1Ns

“Culture wins when everyone sacrifices,” the 2022 Collegiate graduate and Millersville University freshman walk-on told his guys in the aftermath of their 57-44 victory on the Steve Hickman Court.

 

Pierce’s words, which he sent to Coach Del Harris, resonated far beyond that well-earned victory over a Prep League rival. They spoke to the credo which guided the Cougars during the 2022-23 season and, in a sports-as-a-metaphor-for-life sense, will hopefully guide them for years to come.

 

“It’s playing the right way,” said Harris of the “Culture W1Ns” mentality. “It’s carrying yourself on and off the court with character. It’s aligning with the school’s values. At the end of the day, if you have a good culture, you win. Right?”

 

Let’s be clear, though. The Cougars struggled at times this season and finished 10-17. Seven of their defeats came by five points or fewer. If 19 points had swung the other way, the win-loss record might have been reversed.

 

There were high points, though. Senior Luke Smith, a 6-8 center and University of Chicago commit, averaged 16 points and 13 rebounds, recorded 22 double-doubles, and was selected All-Prep. The Cougars earned the league Sportsmanship Award for their tenacious play and the manner with which they handled the highs and lows.

 

Through it all, Harris, his staff, and their squad of seven seniors, one junior, and seven sophomores never wavered from their belief that “Culture W1Ns.”

 

“This year is a primary example that our record didn’t indicate how we won,” Harris said. “We had many winning moments in the locker room, in the community, on the court, off the court, and in the classroom. Sometimes, the victories aren’t measured by the final score.”

 

Don’t think for a second that the close losses weren’t hard to take.

 

“Everybody knows I’m a fierce competitor,” Harris added. “Coaches always say they want to be a tough out. The last two St. Christopher’s games were decided by a total of three points. That’s just the way the ball bounces.”

 

After the last game, a one-point loss to the Saints in the Prep League tournament, Donovan Richardson, a captain as a sophomore, spoke about the impact of the departing seniors.

 

 “There wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” Harris said. “There was nothing for me to say. That’s when I knew we had won.”

 

So how else did the Cougars live out their “Culture W1Ns” credo?

 

“We try to have a ball boy every year from the Lower School and players attending Lower School kids’ birthday parties,” Harris said. “We send cards to people in the Collegiate community who are under the weather. When we were at the Sleepy Thompson Tournament (at St. Stephen’s-St. Agnes in Alexandria), we went to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in D.C. It was unbelievable. We learned history. We educated each other. Just to hear from those bright minds was eye-opening. It was a really deep and good moment for us.”

 

Then, there was Culture Time, a Thursday post-practice tradition when the team gathered, had dinner, watched game film and motivational videos, and talked about sports and life.

 

“Culture Time really helped us through the Covid year,” Harris said of the truncated 2020-21 season. “I remember a video we showed about gratitude. I looked at Mac Macdonald (Class of ’21, now playing for the Naval Academy) and asked, ‘What do you think that video meant?’ He said the takeaway was to be grateful for what we have. We played one game that year, but we won that day, we won that week, and we won that season just by being grateful for what we had.”

 

What does “Culture W1Ns” mean to today’s players?

 

“That everyone on the team has value,” said senior William Britt, the recipient of the “Culture W1Ns” award. “That was 100 percent true of our team.”

 

The final Culture Time occurred the evening before the final regular season game with St. Christopher’s. Earlier in the day, senior Robbie Aboud met with Harris about his athletic experience, then continued the conversation, unscripted and heartfelt, with his teammates.

 

“I talked about a variety of things,” Aboud said. “Leadership was a big thing. We had two or three or four games left. I challenged the guys to put everything they had into these last few days. I realized my time as a basketball player was coming to a close. I didn’t want to go out without putting my best foot forward, so I challenged the guys to show more emotion out there and even when things get tough, not to lose faith in what we believe in. Coach Harris has taught us life lessons. I can safely say that he’s grown me into a better person. I’ll take those lessons as I progress into the next chapter of my life. I’m thankful for that.”

 

When Aboud finished, others opened up. They were authentic, vulnerable, and emotional. Harris let them talk. There was no need for inspirational videos that night. The players provided their own inspiration. The moment was incredibly cathartic.

 

“Basketball’s fun, but at the end of the day, it’s about respect and trust,” Harris said. “That’s what ‘Culture W1Ns’ means.’”

   ~Weldon Bradshaw