It might have been the wiser choice for the Texas "Recruit" to have chosen for himself, rather than his choice having led him to ending up locked in a Dorm Room with a Team Player's girlfriend, after having one too many, and then having the Dorm Room door kicked open & escorting his naked self outside, with the door locked behind him. Ending up streaking back to his assigned Dorm for the night.
Funny, but none of the Coaching Staff seemed to notice the next day, that their strongly "recruited" Texas prospect, resembled a "Racoon"!
While every Player has to make their own decisions and live by the consequences of those choices... We weren't terribly surprised by 2013's own personal choices for himself. As, these are the same choices he makes for himself now, in his High School life. It isn't always the easiest choice to make, nor the more popular one. But, it is the one that he can live with. As, he is determined not to let anything stand in the way of his focus and longterm goals for himself.
When he has come to us, rarely, but has, with finding the right balance...during his journeys path to where he wants to get to... We just remind him that this timeline is a mere blip of time, that will soon pass. And while other Player's choices may eventually end or shorten their playing careers... just maybe, his will have helped to have extended his, as well as his future. And that the friendships in High School & College can prove to be short lived. And that it is wise to remember that one is often thought of, in respect to the company they keep.
Mind you, this is a pretty tough kid, and not a Saint, by any stretch. Just one that has obviously listened to his Coaches, older Brothers... and is trying to apply their words of wisdom, with the direction of his life.
We realize that the Jury is still out on this one, and that those temptations are just truly beginning for him. But, we as Parents, are privately proud of the choices that he seems to be making for himself, and hope that he continues to.
Let's just say...this past weekend was kind of an eye-opener for us, back in "Mayberry"!
