Elite Finish
By Rev. R.B. Holmes Jr.,
President and Publisher
Coach Hamilton
Wow! Florida State’s basketball team finished their season strong, matter of fact very strong! The players, as they call themselves, “18 strong”, and the coaching staff deserve our congratulations and accolades. This team reached the Elite Eight and many did not expect this team to go so far, so soon. I watched and cheered for this team in every game and witnessed their resilience and tenacity to never stop believing. This team had an unbelievable season.
Coach Hamilton is an excellent coach. He is the winningest coach in FSU history and the eighth winningest coach in ACC history. This year he won his 300th game at Florida State and his 500th game overall. Most importantly, he graduates a high percentage of his student-athletes, with more than 94 percent of his players earning their degrees. He and his coaching staff led this team to a 23-12 record. Remember, five key players left this team last year, most of these guys ended up playing professional basketball. The coaching staff was able to motivate the returning players, these young players with only one true senior and took this team to the basketball promised land, the Elite Eight. This is an amazing achievement.
The future is bright for FSU basketball. The returning players have experienced a season that will propel them to the next level. Experience does matter! I hope that the community will celebrate this team and coaching staff for giving us a basketball season that is memorable. The talent on this team, the unity, passion and a driven purpose will have this team positioned to have a greater season next year.
Congratulations Coach Hamilton, your staff and players for an elite finish.
