What Drives Winning?

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Why We Teach What Drives Winning

At Southside Hoops, we believe basketball is more than a game. Wins and losses matter, but they are not the ultimate measure of success. What matters most is who our players become through the chase.

Bret Ledbetter’s What Drives Winning gives us a framework that aligns perfectly with our mission and culture. The core premise is simple:

• Character drives everything. Talent and results come and go, but character is what sustains success.

• C > P > R. Our culture pushes players and parents to think first about Results (“Did you win? How many points did you score?”). We flip the script: Character > Process > Results.

• Goals vs. Process. Results (points, stats, championships) are often out of our control. The process (effort, attitude, preparation) is always within our control.

• Performance Skills vs. Moral Skills. Athletes need both—skills that govern their relationship with themselves (focus, resilience, discipline) and skills that govern their relationship with others (humility, honesty, encouragement).

• Reflection matters. Exercises like “Control the Controllables,” “Inner Circle,” “Dear Basketball,” and “Game Dedication” help players step back and see the bigger picture—how basketball shapes their identity, relationships, and growth. CLICK HERE FMI

 

Why We Emphasize This

• Because who our players become matters more than any scoreboard.

• Because life lessons last longer than playing careers.

• Because teams built on character compete at a higher level, trust each other more, and handle adversity better.

• Because we want our athletes to leave our program not just as better players, but as better people.

 

Bottom Line:

What Drives Winning keeps us aligned with The Titan Way: Play Hard. Play Smart. Play Together. It reminds us that the ultimate victory is not just about championships—it’s about character.​