While the men’s basketball season ended on a heartbreaking "in-and-out" shot that would have sent them to the national tournament, Prof G notes that the team’s ability to turn a tough season start into a deep conference run is a victory in itself.

Matt Shively candidly describes going through the actual stages of grief—denial, bargaining, and depression—after the basketball loss. They suggest that:

It is healthy to acknowledge the pain and the emotional investment.
Disappointment is a sign that you cared enough to put in the work.

Reframing via Faith
Matt quotes Matthew 16:33: "In this world you will face troubles of many kinds, but take heart, I have overcome the world." He explains that:
- Disappointment is a universal part of the human experience.
- In the "grand scheme of life," a lost match is minor, but the character built during that hardship is what remains.
  
  Responding vs. Reacting
  Prof G highlights the critical difference between reacting (instinctive, emotional, often leading to technical fouls or regrets) and responding (taking time to think and move forward with purpose). Disappointment, they argue, provides the "fodder" or fuel for the next season.
  Learning from New Programs
  They point to the Women’s Sand Volleyball team, which is a brand-new program. Disappointment there is framed as a learning curve. Instead of dwelling on losses, they focus on the "Senior Salutes" and the fact that athletes are "buying in" to a future they won't necessarily see the end of.
  
  "The buzzer sounds, the sand is brushed off, but the character you built here at Justice is your real jersey for life."
  
  The "Next Play" for these seniors isn't just another game—it's the workforce, family, and faith-led leadership.