---

Determination was our key word when I was working with fifth graders at Hope Elementary. The movie “Rudy” was the reason for me thinking it should be our focus every day of the school year. Hauser and Oldenburg both came out with determination and played with that characteristic throughout the entire game; however, Hauser's determination prevailed. Every coach and every player on the team obviously knows the importance of it.

As Mike Harding, “HSJ Online” writer and someone who knows basketball, stated, “It was a great game to watch as players on both sides went full-throttle ahead defensively and offensively with a speed and a quickness defying my aging body.” I might add mine too. When I still try to play the game, my age could be the reason why we play slow-break when I attend, a game where all players must be beyond the half-court line before starting offense.

Both teams played man-to-man defense with the Jets also going full-court while the Twisters did not until the final quarter. Hauser only had a lead of one point, 12-11, after the first quarter. They opened the lead up in the second quarter holding Oldenburg to only three points while scoring 14 points and led 26-14 at halftime. I was wondering if they might hold an opponent to zero points again as they did against Rising Sun until a Twister player hit a three-pointer at the end of the quarter.

In the third quarter, the Jets scored 19 points while the Twisters scored 15 with Hauser up 45-29. The Twisters would not get any closer as the Jets won the game, 65-39; however, it seemed closer possibly due to a similar intensity displayed by each team throughout the game.

Hauser's strategy as well as Oldenburg's strategy appeared to drive toward the basket, and most points scored were very close to the basket. There were not many jump shots including three pointers even though Hauser made two and Oldenburg made three. Both teams struggled a bit with free throws with the Jets hitting 17-25 and the Twisters 4-9. The Jets were taller, older, and a bit more aggressive likely factoring in on the foul difference. Both teams had their share of turnovers with the pace and sticky defense of each playing a role.

I watched a video by Molly Land, standout Hauser basketball player who scored 1,285 points, and she shared the following powerful advice her dad, Rick, gave her, “When it comes to your work ethic, the only person you need to be honest with is yourself.”

Molly ended with these words, “May your win column match your work ethic!”

The work ethic of the Hauser team and coaching staff is obvious. Oh, the hours! I need to add the cheerleaders and sponsors due to having two daughters who cheered for Hauser since I am well aware of your hours too.

The Jets will face Milan who won a hard fought double overtime game with Trinity Lutheran, 70-69. One of their main players broke his arm the previous game which made the win even more special for their team, cheerleaders, and fans. There was rightly quite the celebration afterward.

I know the Hauser Nation will fill the gym cheering on their Jets once again with high hopes of advancing through the Milan 1A Sectional 60 on Saturday around 7:30 p.m. May your determination, intensity, and work ethic prevail.