"GIST" AN INTERVIEW

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to speak with a member of the Fort Meade Basketball Team. I have to say that Mr. Gist is one of the most HUMBLE players that I’ve met in a long time. He is a laid back individual but on the court a true assassin. When speaking with Mr. Gist aka “G- MONEY” I had to keep my rage under control, lol. To hear him speak of my WARRIORS was startling at first but as the conversation/interview went on I grew fond of him. G-Money knew all of our strengths and weaknesses! AMAZING I TELL YOU! I hate to say it but he knows a thing or two about basketball.

First, we talked about how his team always ends up victorious against the WARRIORS. G-Money spoke of the lack of a killer instinct that is missing from the Warriors. He pointed out the last game, in which they won against us, and how we were up most of the game but inside their huddle they knew that the opportunity for them to seize the game would come. Basically, their main objective was to wait for the mental breakdown of our team and then they executed their game plan to perfection. G-Money talked about how on the defensive end they would wait until our primary ball handler Q aka “BURN SLOW” would exit the game and then they increased the pressure. To think of it now, every time he was on the bench, Fort Meade went on a run to close the gap!

Secondly, we talked about how our best player is our weakest player. You might be thinking how this is so, but wait I will explain. Mr. Driver aka “SGT HIGH FLYER” is indeed the best talent that I have seen in a long time and the sky is the limit for him. G-Money did note that they keyed in on him because his defense isn’t as good as his offense. Fort Meade exploits this match up every time. Attacking SGT High Flyer disrupts the Warriors flow on the defensive side of the ball. It is demoralizing to see the best player struggle to stop his man on defense allowing each team to just trade baskets. Subconsciously we begin to get down on ourselves causing the natural disaster of this team. Instead of buckling down on defensive end, the Warriors begin to argue, playing into every opponent hands. G-Money did say that there is no answer for SGT High Flyer but they will continue to allow him to score and focus their attention on the disruption of their challenger’s team chemistry!

Thirdly, we talked about one of the veterans on the Warriors, Mr. Lance aka “BEWARE”. Mr. Lance is one of the most underused, underrated, and underappreciated players on the Warriors team. Even though he has been gone on different missions in the past two years, the coach has to find some way to get him involved consistently on both ends of the court. G-Money has stated that Mr. Lance plays the best on the ball defensive and you have to respect his jump shot at all times. Maybe the respect that many of the opposing players have for Lance comes from his years of playing pickup games at the Field House. I can say that when I first saw him play he impressed me with his knowledge of the game and willingness to JUST SHOOT THE BALL! Maybe Lance hasn’t found his place on this young and undisciplined team.

It was good to sit down with one of Meade’s finest players. Even though we battle each other on the court from time to time we both find the time to sit and talk. I must tell one of G-Money’s secrets…. HE MAKES THE BEST SWEET TEA and HOT WINGS you will ever taste! You can say he definitely gets busy in the kitchen as well as the court. And just maybe, just maybe he will whip up something for the WARRIORS, lol.