As a former basketball coach at Boothbay Region High School, I always looked forward to this week — pre-season practice, the handing out of uniforms and insurance forms, and getting the ball rolling. I was excited to see those young faces light up as the new season got underway — new experiences, opportunities to improve and gelling as a team.

I also made it a point, at every practice, to tell the team to keep out of trouble, meaning not to drink alcohol, take drugs, get into bad situations, etc., or they would have to face the consequences. I learned to remind the players about this problem from one of my mentors, Dennis Rice, who coached before me.

Did they listen? Most of them did, but there were a few who didn't. The summer before I resigned, I saw, via Facebook picture posts, that some of the members of the team were drinking at a party. There was nothing I could do because it was in the summer, but I resolved to make it a major point of concern when the season was going to start. It wouldn't be tolerated. I even pointed out what I saw to the school authorities before I resigned. The next season, several players were suspended for partying, and I felt sorry for the new coach. And suspensions have continued over the years.

So here we are, at the start of a new high school basketball season. And even though I am no longer coaching, I will say here, to the young people — and even those not involved in extracurricular activities — be good. Don't let the "anticipated thrill" of trying alcohol or drugs bring you down. It's not worth the consequences. Memories of high school should be, and for the most part, are wonderful. Don't take the chance and ruin your memories, or perhaps be involved in something tragic. Stay clean, work hard and show some respect for yourselves, your coaches, your family and your community.