As much disdain I had for that game, I told my staff that the only way it's ever going to be useful is if we get to the state tournament and play Christian Brothers Academy. They are two very similar teams.

I don't mind, as long as we win. I've heard some people say that the Catholic schools shouldn't be here, but it wasn't a problem when we beat them two years ago. Me, I don't really care whoever is in front of us. We play who they tell us to play.

I don't know if experience is a huge factor. I just think that the fear of the unknown is gone. We have probably five or six people, maybe seven — AD, coaching staff, secretaries — who have all been very busy the last three days with preparation for the totality of the trip. So it helps as far as organizational skills go. You know what to expect. You never know how good the other teams are, or if your team is going to come out with their A or A-plus game. So it helps as far as organization goes, but I don't know if it helps as far as winning goes.

There are so few that are that gifted at a young age. These guys are burdened with the additional responsibility. Sure, the expectations are there. But the pressure helps a lot in the development.

So, yeah, it's a constant reminder. But it's one step at a time. If we win the rest of our games, they're going to do the same thing that they always do. If you're from 2000, you're going to say you were the best team ever. If you're from '71, you're going to say you're the best team ever. If you're from 2004, yours was the best. If you win in 2006, you're the best.

We perked up a little bit. We played our zone offense a little better, and our defense always kicks in.