2003-04. To say I didn't expect a lot of this season is an understatement. Odd as that may sound, especially coming from me, I really wasn't counting on any real huge accomplishments this past year, since the team had lost six key seniors, and ultimately gained six rookies. However, this team had more in it than I first thought, and though that season was a real rough ride for all of us die-hard Butler fans, it was definately a ride that was worth the trip down to Hinkle every home game.

Now that free throw record holder, Darnell Archey (fondly known as "Mr.Automatic") had moved on from college, ball-handler supreme, Brandon Miller had continued his basketball career assistant coaching at Xavier University (located in Cincinatti, Ohio), and dominant center, Joel Cornette who had chosen to remain with Butler and also assistant coach, Butler seemed a lost team without their senior leaders. It was a scary thought that the only returning starter, Mike Monserez, was supposed to be the new captain of his squad, and needless to say, you could tell he was nervous. Duane Lightfoot, the ultimate sixth man as we fans labelled him, did his best to support his teammate, but not all could fall to just those with the most experience.

Three former freshman, coming into the season as sophomores also joined the starting line-up (although one only temporary); Avery Sheets at the point, Bruce Horan as shooting guard, and Jeff James taking the other forward position. Sure, they were all great players, but none could expect just how tough the season would get once they got into the real competition.

First game rolls around, Division II Quincy Hawks - easy as pie right? Sorta. The match proved difficult as Butler head coach Todd Lickliter was testing his new freshman, as well as transfer junior on the court to see how they played with eachother. Each showed promise, a few in particular that I will elaborate on later. Butler did win the game and started off right, but this was only the beginning for one senior's massive troubles.

Mike Monserez, the apparent leader of the team seemed to have been slated with being in charge, but everyone knows that responsibility does not always fall to one person. Unfortunately, no one seemed to notice the struggles Monzy was undergoing from then on, trying to not show fear against opposition, but ultimately hurting his pride the more and more he messed up on the court. I personally felt horrible for him, since he was one of my favorites on the squad and I wanted to cheer him up somehow, but the answer didn't come until mid-season. However, things did brighten up for dear Mike in the first road game of the year.

Northern Iowa, a not so well known school was the court of where Butler was to play, and I didn't get to listen to this game since I was elsewhere at the time, but I walked in the door just in time to hear Chris Denairy (the radio voice of the Bulldogs) shout : "Monserez shoots...HE HIT IT!! At the buzzer, Mike Monserez has just won the game for the bulldogs!" You can just imagine my enthusiasm - running around screaming and shouting - things of that nature. But that did lift my spirit towards Mike, and began a little spark inside me to cheer for him even more, and not just as a fan, but as a friend.

So with these two wins on our shoulders, the team came back to Indianapolis to play at Conseco Fieldhouse - sound familiar? It should, since that is the homecourt of the NBA's Indiana Pacers (Miller Time, anyone? ^_^), and this place is incredible, AND beautiful. Well, it doesn't match the beauty of Hinkle, but it sure is nice, and it set the stage for one of the most exciting, yet heartbreaking games I have ever seen. For the first time in decades, Butler and the Wolverines of Michigan were to face off, and I tell ya, this game did not start off well. Avery was having such a hard time handling the ball, Mike couldn't concentrate, and the team just didn't seem to work, but....half-time rolls around and apparently Coach Lick gave his boys a-talkin'-to, and bam! They came out of that locker room with power I tell ya! Ferocity, finesse, and pride was on their shoulders, and they sure as heck took advantage of that energy. So much that they took the game into a nerve-wracking overtime! Down by one with only about ten seconds left, they gave the ball to freshman, Brandon Crone (a sharp shooter)....

...In and out. No good. Buzzer.

Heartbreaking indeed, but I loved that intensity! Fire and passion for the game seemed to burn so bright that night, but it would seem that flame would nearly die in the games to come. Butler then took to the road again, heading down to Muncie, Indiana to face off against the Cardinals of Ball State. Easy right? Wrong. Difficult beyond reckoning is what it was for the team after Duane Lightfoot got crushed to the floor with a severe ankle injury that put him on the sidelines for the rest of the game - not to mention some of the season too. Without his smoothness, the team seemed to fall apart and lost 61-63. An effort, yeah sure, but the team was beginning their downward slump to humiliation.

Coming home to a mediocre crowd (which I was unable to be a part of because of my church's Christmas program), the bulldogs came in with heavy heads and a sour heart, since Duane Lightfoot was to sit on the bench the whole game. They gave a fighting effort and tried their best which seemed to be enough to pull out the victory - a much needed win as they were to hit the road to Peoria, Illinois. Thankfully, I was able to attend this game, though was one of very few Butler fans that made the trek over to see the rivalry of Butler and Bradley be played elsewhere besides our homecourt. We were trampling them, but second half came, guys got a little proud and what can I say? Bradley took advantage of that weakness and came right back, the Bulldogs not noticing until it was too late.

The record was even now; three wins, three losses. Shocking to the die-hard Butler fan, when usually the team wouldn't have that many losses until near the end of the season. But nevertheless, that was the standing record as they trudged onto the notoriously known Hoosiers of IU (Indiana University) located in Bloomington. Some of you may know of the pitiful season the Hoosiers had, but I'd say they got lucky this game, since they did beat Butler, and in a seemingly sad effort. Trying to get back in the game, Duane rejoined his teammates, but injured his ankle even further, thus sidelining him again. Things were looking grim, and were about to become even more grim.

Due to a hectic schedule of Christmas programs and practices with my church, I hadn't gotten a chance to listen nor watch any of the team's recent games (Indiana, Evansville, Ball State, and Northern Iowa in particular). So my "intuition" on why they were doing so poorly is because I wasn't cheering them on in person. Wishful thinking huh? Well, it sort of proved correct, since the next game I went to, versus Indiana State (home college of Indiana legend, Larry Bird) Butler came out victorious. But can I just say: oyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! This thing dragged on, and on, and on, and on - even longer than the Energizer Bunny! There was like no score for five minutes - which is like an eternity in the basketball world. However, even though our offense was being contrary, our defense was spectacular! Wanna know just how spectacular? Good enough to hold Indiana State below forty points! For those who think that's nothing, that is something to hold a team that low, people! (Morons...^_^)

So with the regular-season just about behind them, and eager to start in-conference play, the Bulldogs came home to face the Pheonix of Wisconsin Green Bay, a Horizon League rival turned deadly. A new coach, new plays, and new players - this team is fierce! They shocked us all beyond belief, from being one of the lowest ranked teams in the conference the previous season to beating Butler with ease - a devastating loss considering that Butler had not lost at home since the 2001-02 season, and that was against UW Milwaukee. (Butler was undefeated at home the 2002-03 season) Swallowing this right before Christmas, the team took their Christmas vacation with heavy hearts, each trying to figure out a way to help the team recover somehow.

Regrouping together in St.Louis to play the Billicans, it seemed that maybe the team had their heads together, but this only started another sad trend that would nearly lead to their demise. For the duration of the first half, Butler would lead, considerably at times, but ever so slowly, the opposition would chip away at that lead, and would eventually come out on top at half-time - then after that, there was no recovering for Butler. Yes, we fought, Avery tried so hard to re-build the team, but it just didn't work and we lost...again. Continuing on this difficult road trip, the Bulldogs hit I-74 over to Dayton, Ohio to try their first shot at the Raiders of Wright State, an average rival that has managed to beat Butler on occasion, and show promise, however, in my opinion, that if the team had worked out their bugs before this game, we would have won. But things didn't work out that way, and Butler lost in humiliating fashion, despite James Parker's (junior transfer) attempts at leading after Avery had taken a bit of a beating.

Around this point in the season, the fair-weather fans had given up on the team, declaring them hopeless without a glimmer, but the die-hard fan knows for sure to never give up on them. I was saying exactly that: "Sure things look bad, but they WILL get better, I guarantee it!" And sure enough, things began to look a little brighter as the four game road trip went on to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to take on the infamous Panthers. (Booo!!!!)

It started off bad, but then suddenly got really good, holding the Panthers down below twenty-five by half-time, and would've been within tying range were it not for a last second three by one of Milwaukee's players (can't remember his name exactly. I think it was Tucker...) Anyway, Milwaukee had held on and forced the Bulldogs back, but what I love about this game is that Butler never-EVER gave up! Not once did they stop playing hard and fast, giving the Panthers all they could handle, especially now that Duane was back on the court playing not quite on a full tank of gas, but playing with his heart is good enough for me. The previous day, Duane had been informed of his uncle, a store owner on the East Coast had been shot and killed, and thus dedicated the season to the memory of his uncle. And you know what? I think that's what began boosting the team, besides the team reuninting under my favorite word: teamwork.

So after putting their pride back on their shoulders, Butler leapt at the opportunity to try and take out Green Bay on their homecourt. Quite a feat, considering that the Pheonix were one of the two teams in the Horizon League that was undefeated so far in the in-conference season. (Milwaukee being the other) Taking on a full head of steam, the guys really started playing together, Butler giving it to the Pheonix with all they had...in the first half, but that trend from before came right back and bit them in the ego. They let it slip, and they did lose by ten, however, Butler still did maintain its pride from never giving up - an attribute that would prove to be of greater value as the season went on.

At last coming home from the torrential road-trip around the Mid-West, the Bulldogs were welcomed by their home crowd (at last including me! ^_^) who were all eager to face the Ramblers of Loyala-Chicago. A tough team anywhere, the Loyala game proved to be the major turning point of Butler's rebound to get back on the winning side of things. In a morale boosting 72-54 blowout victory that Thursday night, for the first time in a long time, I saw Mike smile like he was the happiest guy on the planet. And that folks, is an answer to prayer in itself. Unbeknownst to many people, I was praying so hard for Mike that he would get a hold of himself and focus on the game, and find the ability to smile again. Sure enough, he found that wonderful smile that was hiding, and showed me in full force that day as proof. Things were looking good - and were about to get even better.

One thing any Butler fan can tell you about why Hinkle is the best place to watch a game is the excitement. Pure excitement, people. After just a day of rest from that fantastic Loyala game, Butler came out ready to play their best game so far that season against the Titans of Detroit, a heated rivalry indeed! These guys practically feed on adrenaline, people. This was prime entertainment, I tell ya. Edge of your seat action at all times. Never a dull moment! This baby went into overtime, and you will never guess how this thing ended. Picture this...Clock winding down, score tied, Monzy/Bruce/Avery with the ball....he shoots...

...Swish!

The crowd roars, but the game still ain't over yet! There were just enough seconds on the clock for Detroit to run one more play, they feed the ball to their best shooter, he throws it up from beyond the arc....

...Swish!

Game winner, right?

Heh, wrong! Thing is, time had already expired before the guy put the shot up, thus, it didn't count, and those Detroit fans went home sadder than clams on fishing day. I would be sad too, but hey, I wasn't a Detroit fan at the time (still ain't ^_^), and Butler pulled out another nerve-wracking win!

On another positive note, reflecting on those two wins, Mike was rewarded with the honor of being the Horizon League Player of the Week, quite an accomplishment considering the league's talent that season. Primarily given to him for his forty-nine point effort in just two games, let's not overlook Mike's efforts otherwise, defensively, and off the court as well. As I so said before, Mike had been struggling with several things around the game, and thanks to prayer and hard work, he regained his pride as senior leader. Ok, that has me in tears now...I ain't jokin'!

After the Detroit game, we (my mom and I) had a talk with Bruce Horan, a good buddy of mine on the team, and he just claimed he's trying to keep it exciting for us so we can get our money's worth. Yeah, right buddy! I bet! Goofy guy...Well, he proved his point when they went over to Ohio again for their first showdown against the Penguins of Youngstown State. I had missed most of this game, thanks to my sister who called for the first time in like ever to talk, so I took the time to talk to her, but all the while downstairs I heard my mom screaming and yelling all of the following: YEAH!!...NO!!...Grr...Mike!! AHH!!! Gittit, gittit, WHOO!!! And much more of course. ^_^ Turns out this game went to overtime, and you know who forced that overtime?

....Bruce. -_- You think he was trying to prove his point? I reckon! Well, not only did he get that big three-pointer, he also hit the game winner three too! Now proclaimed as a true New Castle boy, Bruce seemed well on his way to becoming another leader for the team, just like his fellow "towners" who set the trend before him (Miller and Archey).

That Saturday, the Bulldogs came a-runnin' home happier than a bunch of kids on the 4th of July, sparklers and all! We were ready for Wright State, but this time on our court, a not-so-easy place to win, not with fans like me screaming and yelling the whole time. ^_^ However, this Wright State team wasn't pulling any punches, their squad also sporting a new coach and methods of winning, and they did pull it out, but just barely. 53-54, yeah I'd call that a lucky win. ^_~ Though this was somewhat demoralizing, don't forget that the team had really come together now and wasn't about to give up for anything.

Next game was against the Vikings from Cleveland State, a struggling team that had not yet pulled out a single victory in conference play (due to student-athlete difficulty and drop-outs). But they did put up quite a fight against us, hitting shots and starting to scare us a bit, yet Butler had a team effort now, coming back with their own source of firepower. (Can I get an Amen! in da house, tonight!) Taking the game in an old-fashioned blowout, the Bulldogs loved the atmosphere of home, and took full advantage of that energy they received from our support every game both on and off the court. One other really cool thing about this game is that afterwards, those that were quite dedicated and didn't mind going home late, were rewarded with watching one of the best movies ever, Hoosiers right inside Hinkle. For those who have not seen that movie...the final game takes place at Hinkle, so it was so cool sitting right there at center court and picturing exactly what happened in the same place it was filmed!

As the weekend rolled by, and I was ready to go - #1 jersey and all, I showed up early to watch us play against one of the hottest teams...in the nation. Illinois-Chicago's Flames, a fierce adversary that often proves to be a tough battle no matter who's on your team. With one of the fastest sprinters I have ever seen since the '96 Olympics, Cedrick Banks wore Avery out until the poor guy just couldn't run anymore. Bruce and Nick Brooks tried their best to help out, but that guy was just way too fast, taking off in a red and black blur down the hard-wood. We did manage to force overtime, but another star for them, Martell Bailey scored a last-second three, giving us around five seconds to try for overtime again, but it didn't work out that way, and UIC got the win, 71-74. Needless to say this was a tough game beyond what I have seen. Not quite as thrilling as the Milwaukee game last year, or the Mississippi State game, but this thing does go down in the books for me.

The next game was on a Wednesday - a bad day for me in particular, because that specific day my dad had to have a test at the hospital, and we were expected to be there most of the day. Well, unaware of this fact, I had been a little upset because I had promised Duane I'd be there at the game to cheer him on specifically. However, my dad was up and moving faster than we thought, and it turns out, I made it to that game with time to spare! There only around three thousand fans there, but we were there nonetheless to cheer on our guys as we faced new-comer and in-state rival, Indiana/Purdue/Fort Wayne...long name. We pulled out the win in a great blowout, propelling us onto the road again to head up to Loyola and play in their gym, a place we had not won in for almost three years, maybe more, but that wasn't going to happen this time.

Back at home, giving my online friends play-by-play, I listened to that oh-so-exciting game on the radio, cheering and screaming like I was madly insane - which in fact I am. Eating pizza and listening was so much fun, people - try it sometime! Anyway, game! In the first half, Bruce was ice-cold from the three point arc, but that was about to change in the second half...he just came a-runnin' out of there like you wouldn't believe. He hit a total of six three pointers that afternoon out of thirteen, only missing one in that second half, and came out with a career effort of twenty-two points. Bruce was so humble about it too, I remember, laughing and carrying on as they interviewed him. Well, sure enough he was the hero, and no one can tell me otherwise! But no one can possibly forget the incredible pro effort freshman Brian Ligon put forth as much as he could before, and up to that game, his season unfortunately ending that fateful day due to a knee injury, which required surgery shortly after. Despite his injury, he was on the sidelines, cheering his team on with all he had and more!

The following week was a toughie for my family and I, my dad having to undergo a difficult surgery that required him to stay at the hospital for nearly a whole week, and also, it was Valentine's Day week too. What's so bad about the latter? I'm a florist's daughter. Yeah, so we were all workin' our tails off, visiting dad every night, and going home around midnight, then waking up at seven the following morning to begin the next day. Not an easy week, but there were a couple Butler games that week to cheer me up, the earliest one being Thursday against Cleveland State on their turf. I don't know if anyone remembers, but it snowed a bit that day, enabling a lot of Butler fans to not be able to make the trek over, and plus, that's a ways to go, however we were cheering over the radio as loud as we could. I ended up missing the whole second half since they wouldn't allow radios in the hospital, but thanks to the TV in my dad's recovery room....God bless ESPN, I was able to catch the final score scroll across the bottom of the screen: BU - 57, CSU - 56; Monserez buzzer beater. I tell you people, I went nuts in that hospital room! I think my sister believes me to be crazy, but I don't care! I was so excited, especially for Monzy. Since I couldn't be there to watch them, or even hear them, I was praying so hard that he'd play a part in the final decision of the game, and sure enough he did!

Remember that tough Detroit team from back in mid-January? They're back! And on Valentine's Day! Eek! (Don't worry, I checked with all the guys and they did call their girlfriends that morning.) Anyway, I got home just in time, with my still recovering dad in tow to listen to this game on the radio, and at first we did well, Avery and Bruce hitting some big shots, but we lost our will to win and collapsed. My guess is that they missed their sweeties. ^_~ Regardless though, they did try to fight, it just wasn't enough, so they came back home for the final home-stand of the main season.

Before you continue, if you are not familiar with the Milwaukee game from last season, I suggest you quickly skim over the Brandon Miller story, then you can go on reading this. ^_^

Brandon Miller

Done now? Okay, well next game rolls around, and Milwaukee is our next opponent, and keep in mind that Milwaukee is ranked the best team in our league at this time with only one loss, to Youngstown State...how interesting. ^_~. Yes, and a lot of people thought this game was hopeless, but fans like myself thought otherwise! And just to set the stage for this recap, picture the following: Me in my signed/lucky #4 Brandon Miller jersey, three posters ("I Support Mike!", "D-Lightful! He's #1!", and "Go Milwaukee Pansies!"), and a camera just begging to be used. (For those who don't understand the latter poster, check the Late Show with Teller Laterman for the rundown ^_^)

The Late Show With Teller Laterman

With all that said and done, the game begins slowly, neither team really racking up points in any kind of hurry, but then Jamie Smalligan (a freshman turned starting center) got us started with a few big shots, and the team began working together on a whole new level. Avery got involved, Monzy hit I kid you not three 3-pointers in a row with no misses in-between. The team was on fire and showed absolutely no mercy for those pansies who dared to show their faces in our territory. Recaps of the evening? Avery got a twenty-three point career effort (A real slap in the face for Milwaukee fans, since Avery was the guy who kicked their butts last year with that big three at the buzzer), the team all worked together, we beat those pansies by seventeen points (75-58), and...I got my picture with Mike! Yes, proof that he does indeed smile, right below, people! Look at that beautiful smile! He should do that more often. ^_~ All in all, the best game of the season for me, and its proof that this team did turn around in full throttle, ready to take on anybody.

With only two more official home games left, Butler prepared for the battle on Bracket Buster Saturday, presented by ESPN, against the Bobcats of Ohio University. (Not to be confused with Ohio State) This baby was a nail-biter I tell ya! It came right down to the wire, so picture this scenario; three Butler guys right underneath the basket (Monzy, Duane, and Crone)...ball goes up...so do all the hands....

....Swish! Overtime has been forced, my friends!

But that left us in tight spot, since none of our guys were shooting particularly well, except for Duane who kept us in it, even though he wasn't doing too well either. So, during that timeout I prayed so hard that one of the guys would be lifted enough to score for us so we could sneak away with the win, and thankfully, that passed onto Bruce, whom had not scored hardly anything at all that day. It seemed akward that the buck was passed to him, but we had faith in our New Castle boy, and he delivered, but it wasn't no pizza...it was a pizza party at Plump's Last Shot after he helped us win the game! Monzy and Avery (who scored the game winning shot that was more of a prayer than a real shot) helped as well, and really the whole team contributed in some way or another, whether it be offense, defense, or simple encouragement - every little bit helps I say. Thanks to the team's unceasing work and determination, the Bulldogs pulled out the much deserved win of 64-63!

As that week came to an end, another Horizon League Player of the Week award was handed out to none other than Avery Sheets himself for his outstanding performance in the Milwaukee game on Wednesday night. To remind you, Avery achieved a career high of twenty-three points in that game alone, thus granting him the honor of the award, and he became the second Butler player that season to receive it, and the third in the past two seasons. (Joel Cornette being the only Butler player to receive the award the previous season)

At long last, Senior Day at Butler has come - and of all days...I AM LATE!! Yes, late, so I go running in just in time to hear the starting line-ups, which took me by immediate surprise. Inserted in place of Bruce and Jamie were fellow seniors Nick Gardner, and my good buddy Ryan Reynolds - the selfless and humble player when even given the opportunity to shoot he passes the ball to his teammates. So for the first few minutes, they all played together as a class, but eventually Bruce and Jamie did have to come in since we were lagging a little bit offensively. All the way through, this game was a fight against those Penguins of YSU, and we were able to pull it out thanks to a career effort but none other than...you guessed it! Monzy with twenty-eight points! Though Mom says he was just showing off on Senior Day, I think determination and the desire to prove that he wanted to be his best is what did it for him. Regardless, it made me so proud to be one of those fans standing and recognizing all those seniors when they walked off that court, exhausted from that thrilling game, final score being 81-76!

Thanks to the last three wins, Butler had clinched homecourt advantage in the first round of the Horizon League Tournament that would be the next week, but for now they had one more opponent to tackle on the road. UIC. We started off well, actually leading and had the momentum, but then the scoreboard decided to shut off, and the game was temporarily stopped because of that timely "accident". Regardless, it made us lose our momentum and UIC gained full swing of the game, coming out with a win of 54-64.

Well, sure it was a loss, but we had homecourt advantage back in Indianapolis for the tournament, and guess who was coming back!...Ha! Gotcha, it was Youngstown State. ^_^ But apparently we gave 'em heck the previous week and they let us trample them like they weren't even playing. Want proof of that? Three players alone tallied for an unheard of sixty-three points total! Each received twenty-one, and those remarkable souls were Avery Sheets, Nick Brooks, and Jamie Smalligan. Thanks to these guys, the rest of the team made up the rest of the deficit of fifteen points, including Ryan Reynolds who got to play, and score a three-pointer along with a lay-up! With a finishing score of 88-57, its easy to say we whipped the Penguins and moved onto the second round to face...

Can I say....ultimate revenge? UW Green Bay, baby! Those Pheonix whatevers and their cheerleaders came in all excited, and I am so proud to say, those cheeseheads NEVER led! The game belonged to Butler before it even started, and we walked all over them. Most of the thanks go to wonderful Avery, who tied his career high of twenty-three points that night when we all celebrated like nobody's business, including me who was dancing around with all my signs, which said: "Avery Game's A Good Game!", "Shorty, Shorty! We Want 40!" (referring to Jamie), and "In The 'Nick' Of Time!". The game ended with a final score of 72-50, Butler now fully crowned with pride and nothing else, ready to take on the semi-finalist.

UIC! We figured it was time to burn those flames, and put them out for good, and Bruce was just the guy to do it. Waving a sign I had just made him the previous night by request (which said: "Bruce Almighty"), I was cheering for him, as well as the rest of the guys, ready to make it to the championship and win that thing! We played hard and long, but again, UIC was just too much for us, with their fans cheering so loud they drowned us out, and of course, Banks and Bailey - the unstoppable duo of doom. Avery had just about figured Banks out, but when he started understanding how the guy moved, Avery just couldn't run anymore, so Bruce had to try and take over, but he couldn't handle it either. So they relied on Bruce's shooting to keep them in the game, and it ultimately did for a while, since the guy did hit six three-pointers to give him eighteen points that night, but that wasn't enough and UIC did win that game, as well as the championship. (But hehe...they were beat by Kansas in the Big Dance ^_^)

The season had indeed come to a close, and there were vritually no hopes of more post-season play, but there were smiles among people. Not smiles that it was over - smiles about how far the team had come until it was over. Let me tell you just personally how much I know this affected the team. (Sorry Duane, time to embarass you ^_^) After the games, I usually like to hang out by the locker room and greet the guys, well here comes Duane, and I can just tell he had been crying. So I walked up to him and hugged him real tight, and he wouldn't let go, even though I told him I couldn't breathe, but that just proves how much it meant to him. It was the comeback season to end all comeback seasons, and he knew it too.

Whether or not you're a Butler fan, or a basketball fan at all, this type of story applies to everybody. It is a story of a crumbling companionship, or a family, each feeling his own duty to do something to make it right, but when things just aren't working, there is only one way they can turn - and that is to God. Through God working only do things get accomplished, not by luck or talent - by God's own hands. Then, once He's in the game, the plays make sense, the team becomes unified and operates as one functioning unit on the floor, just as we Christians should operate as one functioning unit in the world. We know the game plan, why don't we go out and do it? The plan is simple. Find your man, run to him with the gospel, open up your playbook, and win him to Christ. It's that easy.

Though Mike Monserez was streaky througout the season, he proved to be a good leader, supporting his teammates in the hard times as they did him. Mike finished fifth all time in assists for Butler in its history, he led the team in free-throw shooting, and had a total of one-hundred-forty-three 3-pointers in his time with Butler. For those who are unaware, Mike has a baby girl named Hallie Jo who was born on February 7th, 2004. Mike is also one of the very few players in Butler history that has been recorded to play all five positions in games.

Recovering speedily from his serious ankle injury, Duane Lightfoot's playtime was definately a huge factor in the Butler's remaining season upon his return to the hardwood. Throughout his career with Butler, he's been known to step up when really needed, and he delivers on call. Duane was at one time one of the nation's leading players in field goal percentage, and still remains so in Butler history with a final percentage of (.518)!

Avery Sheets, the young and athletic country boy from Lafayette, Indiana has proved his worth greatly in his first two seasons with the dogs, scoring like it was picking wild daisies. As I said so before, Avery's present career high stands at twenty-three points, a not so easy to break record, but possible with his excellent range. When the season ended officially for Butler, Avery was the only Butler player to be named to the All-Tournament team, an amazing feat for anyone to accomplish!

After being sidelined with a knee injury early in the season, Brandon Crone returned in mid February, and played a big factor in the team's coming together as a whole. Though not a big scorer, Brandon understood when to score and how to do it, showing excellent range, not to mention versatility with his ability to play almost any position. He will come in handy next year, that much is certain!

Jamie Smalligan, the fifth seven-footer to play for the bulldogs in the past twenty years, often found himself behind the three-point arc, a surprising place to be for someone of his size. However, he proved that he could hit the nylon from that distance, but almost seemed afraid to go inside and intimidate the opposition like a good seven-foot guy should. So, after some deep coaching tips with Lickliter, Jamie toughened up and started going inside more with his scoring, as well as his defense. All in all, Jamie proved his worth and will be a great asset in his time with Butler!

With all the injuries this season, no one thought that Butler would ever recover, but they had forgotten that we had Nick Brooks, an excellent player who really stepped up when Duane, Brian, and Brandon were all injured. Nick shows promise in both the guard and forward positions, and is sure to be big in his senior days. Plus, he's got not one, but two 4's on his jersey!

As the most recent New Castle boy to join the Butler squad, Bruce Horan has proved time and time again that shooting three's like his New Castle brothers had before him is in his blood. Alone this season he tallied ninety-six 3-pointers, making his total in his career at Butler to so far be one-hundred-seventeen. Needless to say, this boy's well on his way to break the Butler record for most three's made, quaintly made by Darnell Archey himself, who had over one-hundred-eighty in his career with the Bulldogs. Bruce came up in key situations to hit his shots and become the hero in place of the heroes before him. He presently stands tenth on Butler's all time three-point list.

Some may wonder why did I make all those signs? Simple, I wanted to do something to show my support. Each sign I'll explain how it came to be:

"I'm All For 4!", inspired by Brandon of course, and I waved it for him on Senior day of the previous season. I still got that one, thank goodness, since it faded out rather qiuck on me.

"Arch Madness!", made for the Sweet 16 game against Oklahoma, after Arch had burned the nets against Louisville, it seemed only fitting that I make him one, and instead of "March Madness", it is now "Arch Madness". We are taking over civilization as we know it people. This sign is also in his bedroom hanging on the wall! ^_^

"I Support Mike!", pretty much explains itself. I saw Mike in need of being supported, I made this sign, and I waved it at every game until I gave it to him on Senior Day. He loved that thing. ^_^

"D-Lightful! He's #1!", Duane has a catchy nickname entitled, "D-Light", and everytime he did a slick move on the court, like say a dunk or snazzy lay-up, I'd wave this sign to show my support. And the #1 bit is simply his jersey number.

"Happy Birthday, Ryan!", doesn't that speak for itself? It was Ryan's birthday, I made him a "birthday card" and waved it every chance I got.

"Avery Game Is A Good Game!", picked up from the southern habit I'm getting now of not talking correct. Instead of saying "every" I say "avery", and a phrase I have is "Avery game's a good game!", so it just worked. I gave this to him on once the season was over, and he was so humble about it, it was cute!

"Shorty, Shorty! We Want 40!", inspired by Jamie's twenty-one point effort, and my habit of calling him Shorty, I made this sign to tease him with, and needless to say...I think he was plenty embarassed. ^_^

"In The 'Nick' Of Time!", also inspired by Nick Brooks' twenty-one point game, and I made this to wave whenever scored, as a way of saying he did it just in time, ya know? Yeah, he liked this thing.

"Bruce Almighty", upon realizing I had never made a sign for the last boy from New Castle, I asked Bruce if he wanted one after the Green Bay tournament game. He said sure, and thanks to some help and ideas from my friend Clare, we came up with this perfect sign, which he adored!

Michael Monserez, Duane Lightfoot Jr., Nicholas Gardner, and Ryan E. Reynolds - a senior class that held leadership when it really mattered. Granted they may not have gotten as far as the previous class, but that doesn't matter. Leadership is fighting no matter how tough it gets, being there for eachother, never giving up in whatever you do. It may have seemed hopeless and you were all falling, but one of you would step up and carry the torch once more. Now, you move to pass the flame of leadership onto those that you leave behind, the ones who will follow in your footsteps. Are you happy with the path you have made for them, or do you regret falling down in the dust a few steps back? Whether or not you did, it doesn't matter, because you were there to help eachother back up again to continue walking the path we call life as one. Thank you all for teaching me a valuable lesson in more than just a sport, but in an aspect of life. May your journeys continue on and to even greater horizons than these you have already seen.