Woooooooooooo! This is my early Christmas gift. An extremely positive, inspiring story unfolding here in the 508, and it just so happens to fall right into my South High wheelhouse. A story of a man who survived his own trial and tribulations here in good old Worcester, Ma. and has done nothing but turn his own tragedies into a positive triumph. Coach Diago McClain is and has been the face of this cities Youth Basketball movement and I couldn't be happier that he landed at South High to continue his legacy.
You would be hard pressed to find a basketball fan in this city who hasn't heard of the Diago or the McClain name in general. Dwayne McClain won a national championship with Villanova in 1985. He also got drafted and played with Indiana Pacers for a bit before a long successful career overseas where I believe at one point he had his own shoe-line. What a shadow to grow up in. Now I grew up with the McClain Clan. Huge family, always had each other's backs. Diago's sister Angel had a solid career at North High. His nephew James Collin's had a solid career at Holy Name. And last but not least Diago. I attended Holy Name for a short stint in 94. Basketball in this city was different than it is now, and it was lead by Diago McClain. Best Podcast Idea I've had to date, click to view this episode and see what I mean. The cast I had on were all legends. Diago, Rashard Minor, DeMarr Langford. NufCed. All I can say is that when Holy Name played, it was comparable to when Pedro pitched for the Sox. You made plans to be there or watch because you knew it was history. I'm telling you the first playoff game I watched at WPI, Diago McClain basically became what Steph Curry is today. Dangerous range as soon as he crossed half court. With guys like Kareem Tatum, The Martunas Boys, Bri Theirrien to clean up the boards when he rarely missed, Holy Name was a powerhouse. On his way up the basketball ladder, he had quite a Friendly House influence. As kids we attended Adams St. School. The afterschool program was put on there by the Friendly House and none other than long time Holy Name Coach, JP Ricciardi. Tony Poti was another big coaching influence back then. JP saw the magic in Diago I believe, and he was right. Guys like JP, Tony and other Friendly House staff did what they did for the community. For the kids that didn't have much, or didn't have the same opportunities other kids had. Diago has followed suit and for those of you that believe in destiny, I believe we are watching just that.
Coach McClain built the Worcester Sting Girl's basketball program years ago. He's now parlayed that into his own facility and own's/operates McClain's Training Method which you can find on Facebook.
He's coached these girls from young and as we all know, basketball is chemistry. The part of all this that caught my attention is how he interacts with his players. And how they respond. When I'm covering these sporting events, I pay very close attention to that interaction. Coach Bob LaRose for South High was a pleasure to watch Coach. He cares about his kids. He cares about his players on the field and off. Cares about making hard working, stand up, successful Human Beings of these kids, giving them the best chance to climb the ladder of life. Well, whoever is hiring these Coaches for South High gets a mention here. Diago is that coach. And it all showed last night when the Lady Colonels put it all on the floor for their Coach @ his former stomping grounds, St. Paul's, formerly Holy Name.
You see that. Haha. First of all kudos to the shape these girl's are in. From the tipoff they seemingly pressed the life out of St. Paul's. And I mean press. The whole game. Now I have to fully admit again, I have never been in attendance for a girl's basketball game. This was my very first live. This story is more than basketball for me, but I have to say, I can't wait till the next one after what I saw last night. These girls have heart. The team mentality. The discipline. When the St. Paul girls came running out of the locker room, I thought we might have a problem because they appeared bigger, and they looked like they practiced that jog out all week with how in synch they were. I was wrong. #0 Grace O'Gara is the team general. Following in her sister's footsteps(Coach Sam O'Gara), she sits 90points away from 1k. She dropped in 19 last night but it could have been a whole lot more. She shoots, but when in transition, her eyes seemed to find the best opportunities, but knew when it was hers. Very unselfish, balanced player.
Scoring Leader of the night and absolute problem in the paint, #21, Tamia Nunes. Tamia finished with 22points, and still waiting on the rebound numbers but this girl right here is a straight beast. Tall, tough, defender that seems to know exactly what position she's in when she rebounds. Great reflexes, high basketball IQ in the paint.
There are no individuals on this team for sure. My eyes is peeled on a few others as well. #5 Naima Bleou has a some range, moves well through the paint, slashes well. #1 Jaiyla Colon played some tenacious D for sure along with the others. Congrats girls on your victory. You are on a path to greatness. Keep playing hard, keep having fun, and last but not least, keep playing with that Colonel Pride! We see your hard work. Keep playing as a family because that's what South High is all about! Wooooooooooooooo! Last but not least, the crowd. The support. Keep that shit up South High. That crowd was filled with support last night. That's what will separate us from the rest. Doesn't matter what gender, what sport, what color, we support each other. Let's Gooooooooooooooooooo! Colonel Pride!!!!! One Team, One Cause!
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