Coach McRaven Has a Huge Influence on Her Players

I sit and wait for the last bell to ring of the day. While I’m on the stage tying my shoelaces, the gym is suddenly filled with a loud, piercing sound of the school bell. All I can think about is how much running we are about to do, and I’m just hoping that I do well today so I can prove myself as a player.
“Girls hurry up, we have a lot to do today with not a lot of time,” Coach Golden yells. So many emotions are already going through my mind on how much I hate basketball right now. “Ok everyone on the baseline and get stretched.” Once everyone has returned, we immediately begin the challenging running drills. My entire day gets better when I feel a hand touch my back and turn to see who it is. I don’t know what I would have done without Coach McRaven this year. I know Coach Golden is tough on us so that we can be mentally prepared for games, but I appreciate how Coach McRaven recognizes my needs and boosts my self-esteem.
I struggled at times to make it through this season. Although basketball is a physically and mentally demanding activity, she was always there to help me out. Although she was my coach, she more closely resembled a big sister. Although I hate talking about my troubles with others and opening up to them outside of school, she has always been there for me and has offered me wise counsel. I frequently turned to her for guidance when I was experiencing difficulties, and she was always able to provide me with the right answers. Practices were very dreadful during the season but she always knew when to have a good time and to make everyone laugh. As a joke she started giving me hugs at the beginning of games and sometimes at the end of them, telling me that I look cranky and I need to smile more because I have a terrible resting face. During the season I had very little confidence in myself. I felt like there was so much pressure on me not to mess up, but she was always there to encourage me and to reassure me that I’m a good player and that I need to have confidence when I’m shooting.
She not only assisted me greatly, but she also encouraged others to perform better. She gave resourceful advice to help the JV and varsity team out. She always tried to do what was best for the whole team and she never had a negative bone in her body. She was always positive with every team member and the other coaches. Even though it was her first year being a coach she had a great impact on everyone around her.
Many PHS students may not be familiar with Coach McRaven, a first year Pre-K Paraprofessional at Potosi Elementary. Her first year teaching has been an awesome experience that she has been through. She said, “There is nothing like getting to form special bonds with each of my students and students from other classes as well. I love getting to see the growth in each individual student and getting to celebrate with them when they accomplish their goals.”
Coach McRaven has played basketball since she was five years old. As a player, she has first hand knowledge of the positive influence a great coach can have on both a player’s basketball career and their general quality of life. She wanted to be that kind of coach for someone else. Coach McRaven wanted to be able to help players develop basketball skills and life skills that they can take along with them for the rest of their lives. She believes that developing a culture that players can buy into is a big part of helping them to perform their best. She said, “When players see their coaches putting in time and effort, it makes them want to do the same. I try my best to be a good role model for my players when it comes to effort and attitude. I also think that being their biggest supporter and always finding a positive in something they do motivates them to play their best.”
She admits that being a first-year coach was difficult, but she is eager to grow as a coach. One of the ways that she was able to overcome the challenges that she faced was to look for advice and ways to improve.
Outside of school, she spends a lot of time in church and enjoying time with family. She is also a full time student at Central Methodist University. She devotes a lot of time to her studies so she can finish her elementary education bachelor’s degree.
Coach McRaven has been an incredible asset to the PHS basketball program and our community as a whole. Her passion, dedication, and leadership have inspired countless players to reach their full potential on and off the court. From her innovative coaching strategies to her unwavering commitment to her players, Coach McRaven has truly made a lasting impact on my team and my life. Thanks to her, I am more mentally prepared for whatever Coach Golden has in store next year, and I know I will always have Coach McRaven encouraging me and I will always remember the huge impact she had on me. All the lessons she taught us and the memories that I will cherish with her under her guidance. I’m so grateful for the four months I had to spend and learn from her.