Is there pressure to win at SCC? Absolutely. And that's okay.

The high-profile basketball programs of our area demand state championships. Scott Central head coach Frank Staple was quoted in the article below saying his school doesn't get too excited for district, sectional or quarterfinal championships. The same, I can imagine, can be said about the Charlestons and, in the last 10 years having a growing demand for success, Sikeston.

But is that acceptable?

Is it okay for a fan base or even the administration to have such high expectations on, in this case, a second-year head coach? High school players? Or simply just because the front of your jersey is stitched with an "SCC"?

My answer? Absolutely.

I don't want to sound like a perfectionist who expects greatness at everything (I fail miserably at A LOT of things), but why else would you play? Why do players and coaches alike give so many hours, so many injuries, so much of themselves to come up.....seventh?

The goal in our everyday lives is to strive for the best, correct? Then why not on a basketball court? I'm sure almost instinctively you're thinking of a team/player doing everything imaginable to earn a win even if it means hurting or manipulating a situation. That is not at all what I'm condoning. But when discussing things such as this, that's kind of where minds go -- doing everything you can to win -- right?

Striving for a best is circumstantial. As it stands, Scott Central's, Sikeston's and Charleston's bests are state championships. Someone's best might not be the other person's best and that's perfectly okay. I live my life knowing people are different and may not do or say things I would, but love them anyway. Can I get an amen!?

Our culture can sometimes look at a situation like Scott Central's where the expectations are "state or bust" and view it in a negative way. There are many ways that it can be negative if not handled correctly, but I feel coaches like Ronnie Cookson, Jim Bidewell, Gregg Holifield, Danny Farmer and, even in just his second year, Frank Staple handle the expectations of winning almost flawlessly. They demand close to perfection and crave state championships, but still teach. You can tell that by the basketball players/young men they produce year after year. I've heard many of these coaches utter the saying, "Success breeds success." If you're pushed to be successful in one area, there's a good chance you'll be pushed to be just as, or more successful, in another. High school athletics are an educational experience and teaching young adults to be successful in what they do is an invaluable lesson.

I know winning isn't everything and I teach that to my two kids at every opportunity I get. I do, however, give them the best advice and guidance on ways to strive for their best, whether it be a spelling test or saying "please and thank you." There's a huge difference between the two and the administrations, coaches and players that are involved in successful programs understand that.

Which could be why their 'bests' are expected to end with being on top.

Thanks for reading.

I posted my story about the expectations at SCC below in case you wanted to read. I thought this would be a great topic of discussion as well, which is why I posted my thoughts. Please be respectful and keep comments directed at me only mildly harsh.

COLUMBIA -- The question directed towards Scott County Central head coach Frank Staple was if there is pressure to win at the most decorated basketball high school in Missouri.

A voice from the back of the interview room at Mizzou Arena on Thursday following Scott Central's 69-63 semifinal win over Stanberry spoke loud and clear.

"I can answer that one," Scott Central superintendent Al McFerren joked.

Staple is one win away from earning Scott Central's 17th state championship with a game against Meadville looming on Saturday. Because of where he works, that's how success is measured. And though he's just in his second year, anything short of a state title is looked at as a down year to most fans.

"I think any time you go to a place with such tradition, the pressure is going to be there," Staple said. "At Scott Central they don't get too excited about district championships or sectional championships or quarterfinals. They want to hang banners. So the pressure is there. But you know I've got a lot of support and my main thing is I just love my team and I want to do my best for them."

Staple served as an assistant coach at Scott Central three years prior to taking over for former head coach Kenyon Wright. Wright won state championships all three years he was there (2010-11-12) and also assisted under Hall of Fame head coach Ronnie Cookson's state championship in 2009.

The tradition and pressures to win started with the all-out dominance of Cookson while he directed the Braves from 1970 to 1995 and again in 2008 and '09.

Cookson won over 700 games and holds claim to 13 state championships -- the most by any coach in Missouri. The Braves won seven consecutive state championships under Cookson from 1985-91, which is another record for Missouri. He retired after his 12th state title in 1993 and returned to the sidelines during the 2007-08 season where he led the Braves to a third place finish. He won his 13th a year later and Wright took over the next season.

So, winning at Scott Central is kind of expected.

Staple has admitted that his first season, which ended with a quarterfinal loss to Eminence, was a stressful one. The biggest pressures were not from the school, however, but from himself.

This season, Scott Central senior Larandis Banks has seen a more relaxed, calmer Staple.

"He's more laid back," Banks said. "He's already had a year of this. I think he's better now."

Aside from calling the plays and being the figure-head for praise and criticisms that goes along with any head coaching position, the transition from being an assistant to head coach at Scott Central has been an adjustment.

"Everybody wanting to talk to you and just the whole excitement that goes around it," said Staple. "Mentally for myself just trying to stay down and take it all in."

Though only one more win stands between him and another chapter in Scott Central lore, Staple understands the significance of winning a state championship for the Braves. It's not just another banner, but a chance to add to the history he so richly appreciates.

"It's been a little crazy but I'm trying to kind of soak it all in," he said. "Just stay calm, stay focused and just try to be the best leader I can be for these boys. I'm so proud of them. I'm so honored to be here. So honored to be a part of this tradition of Scott County Central basketball. I mean it's an absolute honor for me to be the head coach here. It's been outstanding."