Jamie Mahaffey Quotations

We know we have a lot of pressure on us - a lot of haters or whatever. But the thing about it is we stuck together as family and pulled through.

One of our goals was to be national champs, and we didn't achieve that. We still have another goal that we've set, and that's to win another (Division III) state championship. We lost tonight, but we didn't quit.

One of our goals is to be national champs, and we have to beat Oak Hill to do that. It's a big game for our team, and the city is making it a big game too. It's one our kids really wanted to play.

From an administrative standpoint, I can't say (the reason). But he is very, very sorry he's not here and he feels hurt by that. But it's something out of our control.

He feels very sorry that he's not here. He loves the game of basketball. It's something we can't control, and he wishes he were here.

We've been through a lot of controversy today, a lot of issues, but we pulled through it. O.J. feels very sorry that he's not here, but we can't control that. One of our goals was to win state. ... We've got one to go.

I would not term it a suspension. He will not be traveling with the team and will not be playing in the game tonight. The decision was made by me.

I saw them play before, and we thought they might slow it down. We were able to get some good shots, and we made it through another day.

Our backs are strong. Maybe we draw attention to ourselves with some of these things, but I'm very passionate about these young men. We came together as a family today.

That's the one thing he's tried to work on. . . . He always wants to guard the key players.

That's been our goal. We played a little sloppy tonight. We've got to continue to get better.

We didn't come to play. I think it's a matter of us not being focused. But, I thought La Salle played well. They gave a championship effort.

We'll know later on tonight, but our backs are strong. We always deal with a lot of controversy and a lot of issues. We tried to overcome it.

We got a little complacent and lackadaisical at times, but we still kept our composure and kept our lead out there. It was a great atmosphere with such a big crowd.

As a team, we played well and we came together and we got through another day. We've been through a lot of controversy today, a lot of issues. We have a family here and we've been moving on all year. We're going to keep on moving on.

A lot of people are excited about (Saturday's) game. The side we control is on the court, and that's where we'll try to do our best. They're the No. 1 team and we're No. 2. We treat them as No. 1. They get all respect because they deserve to be No. 1.

It's always good to have O.J., but we have some other guys who stepped up and played well.

O.J. was more sound this year as far as being a general on the floor and getting other people involved. Defensively, he also played a lot better.

O.J. has matured a lot. On the court, he's more consistent and he's shooting the ball a lot better. He has taken more of a leadership role on the team.

O.J. has matured a lot. On the court, he's a more consistent and he's shooting the ball a lot better. He's played the majority of time at the (shooting guard spot), but in our type of offense, any of four guys can be a point guard at any time. He's handled that responsibility and has taken more of a leadership role on the team.

It's very intense. You just have to be prepared and don't look ahead. But our players are very mature about it. They stay focused.

They've played across the country, played the best teams. It's going to be a very, very tough game. They play the teams that prove they need to be No. 1.

They've looked into certain things but they probably won't make a decision until after the season next year.

After the year we've had, this is worth it. We had a lot of issues, a lot of hatred for us, but we stuck together as a family.

I just can't say anything, from an administrative standpoint. I know he feels sorry he's not here, but it's something we can't control.

I'll know when I get back tonight. I can't say if I expect it or not. But our backs are strong. These boys have been through a lot.

I probably won't wake up until June. I'm going to go home and go to sleep. It's been a rough year, but we stuck together as a family and pulled through.

He's very hurt by it and is sorry he's not here. He loves the game of basketball.

He played like an animal. That's how Bill is. He's a player who, no matter what the odds are, he's going to go out there and fight.

He plays that spot all the time in practice, and during the summers, he plays guard. He's an excellent passer and he can really handle the ball. It's just that people don't get to see it (during the season).