Jack Keefer Quotations

Last year, we had (Brandon) McPherson and Donald (Cloutier) and Tyler (Morris). The year before we had Penny and Stefan Routt. These are guys that were awfully good basketball players. When you think of the Marion teams (that won three straight state titles in the '80s), it was all the same kids. They didn't have to make all the adjustments (from year to year).

Greg is a true gentleman and an outstanding student. He enjoys school and the challenges it offers him. He is also one of the hardest working players I have ever coached. With an incredible amount of talent, drive, and a mind that allows him to stay humble and keep working to get better, Greg is a true warrior.

He's a team player first. He's a defensive player second, and he's an offensive player third. He's just the ultimate of an unselfish young man. He's a great student, the kids love him.

He just took away every inch in the paint, every game.

I think this is the hardest day of basketball in the nation. We're expected to play two teams that are well coached, two teams that are very good, in the same day with what, three to four hours rest? To get through today was a major obstacle course.

When you're goal-oriented, and you've got direction, that's what gets you up early in the morning, even if it's snowy and cold. That gets you working after practice. That gets you working on things you looked bad at in the last game.

We avoid it because we don't talk about it. We just go game to game and keep ourselves enthralled with the present, not with what could be or what was.

You just accept the fact that you're going into Hinkle and you're going to have to fight for your life two games in a row on the same day.

What they accomplished is unbelievable. You think any night you're going to stumble, but they just wouldn't let that happen.

Q. started out winning his position because of his defense and his ability to take care of the ball. His passing has really added to the team's strength, and he just plays very hard. I think Q.'s hard play and his toughness of mind has rubbed off on many of the other players, and he's been a very good attribute for the team.

It's just the opposite this year from the ranking and record standpoint, so from that perspective I hope we don't have the same result. We know that Arlington is a capable opponent and has improved its game during the course of the year. But while they're better, we hope we are, too.

It's history in the making, but we still have one more game.

They'll have to step up their roles, as to how they fit in. I think Q. and Damian will lead them, and they'll know how to win. They certainly haven't lost much, and they know what it takes to win.

Any time you've got a good point guard, you're way ahead of the game. Any time you've got a good center, you're way ahead of the game. Any time that combination has a good feel for each other . . . it has a tremendous impact on the game.

That's a lot of points. I'm sure teams they've played have tried to slow them down and couldn't. We have to turn the game into one where we rebound it, and they can't fast break. But we're a running team, too, so it'll be an interesting outcome. The rebounds will make the difference.

If you challenge Mike, he rises to it very quickly.

I like to get out here and see the quality of the fish. It's something I just like to do.

I had forgotten all about it, and Greg comes into my office walking funny with this huge smile and I didn't know what was going on. Then I remembered.

He's just a gentleman. That's what makes him a little special. There's a lot of players out there who are me-me players anymore, and Greg is certainly not one of those.

The guy's a winner. He's set the tone for this team for four years.