Winning State Championships- Borrision, Hatch, Becker

One of the goals for coaches and players is to win a State Championship. I have asked 8 high schools basketball coaches to reflect upon their championship seasons. Today Todd Borrison (Preston, Ia & Davenport Assumption, Ia), Jay Hatch (Alleman), and Bob Becker (Morton) reflect upon their championship seasons. 

It should be noted that by doing this blog page, there may be some of my former players who send me hate mail. That will be ok, I miss my players so whether good or bad messages, it will be great to hear from them!!! 

Todd Borrison- (Preston, Dav.Assumption)

Todd Borrison has been a legend in Eastern Iowa coaching. Wherever he has coached, his teams have been great. If a high school was serious about winning championships, you tried to get Todd Borrison to coach your girls basketball teams. Coach Borrison won two championships at Preston, Ia, and then won a third championship at Davenport Assumption. His teams have made an unbelievable trips to the Iowa State Tourney. 

A story of how respected he has been as a coach. My brother, Mark coached volleyball for over 30 years at Clinton, Ia. Mark was so impressed after watching both Preston and Assumption that he asked Todd if he as a volleyball coach could come watch Todd's basketball practice. And Mark relayed that it was worth the trip. 

Before First Championship, Previous Trips to State- 1999 (Elite 8)

Before First Championship, Previously Farthest Advance in State Series- 1999 (Elite 8)

Years As Head Coach When Won First State Title- 10th Year

Year Won First Title- 2000 (Preston), 2001 (Preston), 2008 (Assumption)

Massey- Did you go into the season thinking you could win state? 

Coach Borrison- At Preston and Assumption  we felt we had a good chance to win it, we returned  everyone from a state qualifier the season before. And both groups were very driven, the players and coaches knew what needed to be addressed to get to another level.

Massey- Did you at some point talk to the team about winning state? 

Coach Borrison- With both groups it was a goal from day 1  we felt that setting any other goal would be unacceptable and we used that as motivation to attack every practice.

Massey-Was there a play in the championship game that made you say to yourself – we are going to win state?  

Coach Borrison- Not really a specific play, but in both Championships are defense was really bothering  are opponents  which gave us good confidence that what we had been doing all season was going to work out.

Massey- What are the craziest things you remember from the first hour after you won state?   

Coach Borrison- The fans, the parents just the overwhelming excitement of everyone involved --a total group effort!

Massey- How has winning state impacted you personally going forward? 

Coach Borrison- It was a big confidence  boost for us, and for  me personally  knowing that I could get to that level-because I had come up short and before and I questioned myself  (what do I need to do different)  and you make adjustments and hope you can get it done , but it takes lots of breaks also!!

Massey- How often do you think about that run? 

Coach Borrison- That is a great question -not enough!! I feel we got so wrapped up in the next season that we never really enjoyed it like we should have! As I get older I think of it more and truly appreciate how much fun it was, and how great of young ladies we were coaching!

Jay Hatch- Alleman

I first met Jay Hatch in Mike Tracey's basement probably 40 years ago after an Alleman football coach, and Jay was an assistant football coach. Jay has been successful at any sport he has coached. He has had 4 girls basketball teams go to State, and he had 3 softball teams win State. Most coaches are lucky to ever have a team go to State, Jay has won State titles in both softball and basketball. 

A story that shows Jay's love for sports. Before ESPN ran baseball fantasy leagues. Jay ran a fantasy baseball league in the Quad Cities. Think about it, he was going thru boxscores in the newspapers and tabulating a fantasy league by hand. This may be the most impressive athletic feat I have heard. 

Before First Championship, Previous Trips to State- 2001 (Elite 8), 2002 (4th), 2004 (Sweet 16)

Before First Championship, Previously Farthest Advance in State Series- Fourth (2002)

Years As Head Coach When Won First State Title- 13th season

Year Won First Title- 2005

Massey- Did you go into the season thinking you could win state? 

Coach Hatch- No, I did not go into the season thinking we could win state.  I did think we would be pretty good, I thought with a bit of luck we could make it to the Elite 8.

Massey- Did you at some point talk to the team about winning state? 

Coach Hatch- I don't think we ever had a formal conversation about winning state.  The year before, we lost in the Super-Sectional in a really tough fashion, so we were motivated to get further down the tournament trail.

Massey- Was there a play in the championship game that made you say to yourself – we are going to win state?  

Coach Hatch- There wasn't necessarily one play.  There were a few plays that as I look back were crucial.  We had a player, Katie Manning, who took two charges within about 20 seconds of each other.  (The second one was right after she had turned the ball over!)   When I really thought we had it was when we were running flex as a delay and the opponent was really working hard to keep us from scoring but we ran about 2:30 minutes off the clock before they began fouling.

Massey- What are the craziest things you remember from the first hour after you won state?  

Coach Hatch- I remember when the horn sounded, there was just so much energy released from my body.  I remember getting a phone call from a former player  before we even got to the bench and many many texts from coaching friends in the next hour or so.  I also remember parents questioning our strategy in the hotel right when we returned.

Massey- How has winning state impacted you personally going forward? 

Coach Hatch- I was very aware that there were far, far better coaches than me who had not had the good fortune I had.  I am well aware that it is the players who accomplish an achievement like this.  It was most definitely not because of me that we did this awesome thing.

Massey- How often do you think about that run? 

Coach Hatch- Thoughts of the run come up at odd times.  If we encounter a team or style of play that we faced that year.  The most often it comes up is when I am with the coaching staff from that team.  We talk about funny things.  We had our best player get hurt after 5 games and not be able to play until the postseason.  We were under .500 in our conference but we were 27-1 outside our conference.  The only loss was by 1 point to the eventual 2A championship.

Bob Becker- (Morton)

Bob Becker took over at Morton in 1999-2000 season, and the Potters did not win a Regional title his first 5 years. In year 6, they won his first Regional. Over the next 25 years, the Potters won 21 Regional Championships. In 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019, Morton won the 3A State Championships. 

Coach Becker's success is not an accident. Despite winning 4 State Titles, if you go to a coaching clinic in Illinois, you will find Coach Becker there taking notes. As a result, every year Morton adds a couple wrinkles to their already successful program. 

Before First Championship, Previous Trips to State- 2007 (4th), 2013 (4th)

Before First Championship, Previously Farthest Advance in State Series- 4th (2007, 2013)

Years As Head Coach When Won First State Title- 16th Year

Year Won First Title- 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019

Massey- Did you go into the season thinking you could win state? 

Coach Becker- To be honest up until 2015, our first state championship team, the idea of earning a state title was a dream in all reality.  We’d experienced a couple trips to state prior in both 2007 and 2013 finishing in fourth place on both occasions.  We felt confident we had potential to make a post season run.  I hesitate to say I spoke about winning a state championship with our team but I do know we shared a vision and belief it was possible.  We try to keep winning in perspective and focus on the journey as much as we can control.  While simplistic, we have strived to be one of the hardest working teams while focused on consistently improving during the course of a season.  We invest in building connections with one another and our goal is to be the very best team by season’s end.  We feel for us to succeed individually and as a team discipline, competitive fire and an unwavering belief are critical elements.  Our 2015 team shared our vision and belief that a trip to Redbird was possible.  These only intensified during the season’s journey and by the end we felt we could beat anyone. 

Our 2016 and 2017 teams shared these traits and the dream of winning a title was now something more.  They knew it was possible and that we could win it all.  The amazing thing about these next two teams was that they never pushed the fast forward button.  They never grew complacent or rested on past successes.  They were as hungry and motivated to be consistently excellent as they could be.  Leadership was outstanding and they help themselves and each other to an uncommon standard and accountability.  I am proud how we handled success and continued forward with growth mindsets to improve, embrace the journey together and we were so consistent.  Even when our leading scorer, Chandler Ryan, went out during our 2016 campaign when outsiders deemed us vulnerable we still maintained an unwavering belief in our own locker room.

We lost to eventual state champ Peoria Richwoods in 2018 which helped fuel our 2019 state champions.  The 2019 team had a renewed focus, determination and competitive spirit along with the belief that yes they could win it again.  The response of our 2019 team after losing in 2018 was terrific. 

I guess to answer your original question if we thought we could win it all?  2015 was hopeful but uncertain until we did it.  2016, 2017 and 2019 we absolutely believed.

Massey- Did you at some point talk to the team about winning state? 

Coach Becker- We didn’t speak much or at all about winning it all during these seasons.  We tried to stay focused on daily improvements and giving our all each and every day.  No doubt we believed in our potential.  We did well holding one another accountable and not allowing slippage in culture or taking short cuts.  We had almost no dud practices.  We didn’t have to speak about winning it all but focused on what it would take to return to Redbird.  Champions do what it takes not just what they feel like doing.  Our championship teams did what it took each day.  They seldom waivered.  Our belief in us was unwavering.  It’s hard to adequately describe the “IT” factor but our four championship teams had “IT”! 

The road to Redbird Arena for us in central Illinois is challenging and in our opinion the most difficult each season.  No doubt schools above I80 can be talented, highly decorated and deemed by many as superior.  After finally having a break through game in 2015 beating perennial power Montini in the state semi-finals our feelings were justified that our schedule prepared us to compete with anyone.  Whoever competes and earns our area’s ultra-competitive sectional championship should believe they can win the whole enchilada.  Not a given but it speaks volumes to the quality coaches and teams in our sectional complex each year. 

Massey- Was there a play in the championship game that made you say to yourself – we are going to win state?   

Coach Becker- In 2015 we trailed Rochester by about 10 or so late in the 3^rd quarter.  We called a timeout and put on a full court press.  Suddenly we had all the momentum and in less than 7 minutes were now up 4 late.  Our 2015 team with the lead was virtually unbeatable.  Sound with the ball and our free throw shooting was amazing.  While I was not comfortable until the final buzzer I probably told myself we were going to win it once we secured the late lead!  In 2016 we were set to face Chicago North Lawndale in the championship game.  They had beaten us in December at the State Farm Classic in a 4 overtime thriller.  Our kids absolutely wanted this game and them to be our

opponent.  I believed as we all did we would beat them as soon as we knew it was them we’d face.  58-41 Potters.  In 2017 we again faced a tough and well coached Rochester team in the final.  We weren’t our best offensively but defense, rebounding and a burning desire to win does.  I think we had just one decent run to come from behind in this one.  Our assistant Coach Davis would say he knew we’d win all along but I wasn’t comfortable until it finally ended.  2019 team was simply on a mission all season.  The prior season losing to Richwoods made us more determined and hungry than ever.  We know basketball can be humbling and you’ve got to prove it but we believed we were the best and I felt confident we were going to do it again.  We just had an edge about us.  I do think returning to being the hunter made us better. 

Massey- What are the craziest things you remember from the first hour after you won state? 

Coach Becker- I’m not sure I remember all the first hours after winning state titles.  Pure joy, elation in 2015 for sure.  I know I hugged my wife Evelyn in the stands in 2015.  There is nothing like the first championship.  As incredible as it felt it was also bittersweet for our family.  Our daughter Josi was a freshman and she had torn her ACL in the 3^rd game of our season.  Here we had finally won the whole thing, and while I was thrilled, it was tough to see Josi not be able to live her dream on the court.  I remember feeling some immediate pressure with Evelyn telling me I had to lead this team back again so Josi could play.  2016 back to back with Josi helping lead as point guard!  Thrilling and another whirlwind of emotions.  2017 maybe added feelings of relief to be honest in the hour after winning.  The pressures to repeat might have intensified to a degree. 

It is so satisfying seeing kids celebrating, looking in the stands to see overwhelming community support.  I tried to soak it in.  Photos, medals, press and then back to an empty cleared out court and arena.  It is an emotional whirlwind.  I will say in 2015 I was absolutely exhausted and I was first in bed in the hotel.  I totally missed any and all celebrating with my staff that night.  But I wouldn’t trade it and the other championships I was able to enjoy each moment.

Massey- How has winning state impacted you personally going forward? 

Coach Becker- Winning state championships gave me rock star moments.  Photo shoots, media coverage, commercials, signing autographs, public appearances, books written about us, 6o Minutes, etc.  All fun but winning state for me validated our hard work.  It has been rewarding to build a program and to see our Morton elementary kids first touch a ball as summer campers then progress through Upward and Heat basketball and

then junior high and finally high school basketball ultimately reaching the pinnacle with state championships.  It takes a commitment from so many and being the head coach in this community has been a blessing.  Winning it all multiple times hasn’t changed who I am but has made me value the moments and I’m grateful every day.

Massey- How often do you think about that run? 

Coach Becker- Those runs were special but the people made them special.  I love catching up with past players, coaches and even fans.  I get so caught up in my current season that unless someone triggers these memories I don’t often simply think about those incredible runs.  However, those experiences and what it took to get there are invaluable to our coaching and can provide insight into leading our kids and team today.  Someday when I retire I will re-read Dave Kindred’s books about our Potters along with his countless blogs he’s written after each game for almost the past 15 years.  I also look forward to future reunions with coaches and players from these teams.  That will be special to reconnect and share together some of those memories together.