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Maxwell Jackson has had plenty of history on our site; he's our first Journal writer. Now he's breaking new ground by becoming our first Blog Writer. Playing currently at Palatine's Harper College, this DeLasalle graduate will post frequently not only on what is going on with him at school and on the court, but also on his observations on ALL that is going on around him.

1/12/08

Well its been a rough last couple of weeks. I tweaked my ankle a little bit in practice and its been something that has been kind of hindering me a little bit. We lost a tough road game to South Suburban. It was my first game of the year and I played a lot of minutes but I didn't have a good game which attributed to our lost. I was a little nervous before the game, but I was more anxious than anything. I think I was just a little bit to excited before the game. Next we had what I would call an ok week of practice ,I felt that I really didn't have the same energy as I'd had in the previous weeks. I can't really explain it but I think I'll have a whole lot of energy next week after we lost a tough game to Oakton by one. I didn't really play a lot this game. My coach is trying to work me in slowly and let me pick up the offense a little more before conference starts against Triton, but after losing a 10 point lead to Oakton in the last 3 minutes of the game we didn't deserve to win. It was a big wake up call for me and it was that little extra boost that I needed going into conference. We've lost 2 in a row now to bring our record to 13-4 so it is something that has really lit a fire beneath me. Hopefully we can come together as a team and get it right!

12/31/07

Hey I hope everyone is having a great holiday and staying safe. This time of year is not about the gifts and the presents but more importantly being able to spend time with your friends and family and being thankful for them and cherishing each and every moment with them. Live your life to the fullest have fun and appreciate all that you have because there are many who don't have anything at all. Take advatage and be prepared for every opportunity that you encounter. You only have one life so make the best of it and live it! Be safe God bless and happy holidays.

12/23/07

It’s been a little bit more than 2 weeks since the last time I've written. I've really just been tryin to focus in and end the semester on a good note academically. My mind has been wondering a little bit lately. I haven't really had the same type of focus on the court that I was really starting to pick up. I'm guessing maybe it was finals and me just really worrying about school. We don't get back to school until January 22nd; so the last couple of days since finals have been over a light switch just clicked back on, and I've really regained my focus. I'm really ready to play right about now. I'm so hungry right now. Our team is 12-2 right now and we're ranked top 5 I the country so I'm real excited to be able to help out where I can and kind of get I where I fit in. At the same time since our team is so good right now I'm a little bit nervous in terms of not really messing up the flow of our team. I just hope everything goes well with me as it did without me and that's my only concern, but there's more excitement there than anything else. I'm counting down the days. It’s not about individual accolades with me… I just want to win, winning is everything to me. If we win a national championship we will have accomplished our goal, but if we don't its a disappointment. So we're just going to take it one step at a time and see how everything goes from there.

12/08/07

Man its been a fast couple of weeks. Our team got back on the winning track and now we're 8-2 and we're ranked number 6 in the country in our division. Hopefully we can just keep improving as the season goes on. Like I said we're 8-2 but it's not a pretty 8-2 and I hope we can get a whole lot better. We're in our last 2 weeks of school and the workload is getting heavy. I just picked up a psychology class that is on Friday nights from 6-10:30 and on Saturday’s from 9-7. Yea that’s right a 10 hour class. It’s rough as we get a few 15 min breaks throughout the day but its still too much. I have one more week of that class and I’m done, So I’m just gonna chalk this one up and deal wit it. You gotta do what u gotta do. Couple weeks ago I came back to the city to try to come play a little bit but I got back real late and they we're almost done so it wasn’t any point in me playing. A couple guys there that I’m cool wit were Daron Evans(Indiana State), Aaron "Wax" Wellington (Maryland Eastern Shore-Robert Morris), Mark Manning(DePaul), Steve Parham(Maryland Eastern Shore)and last but not least Mr.Websportschicago T.J. "Tuna" Jackson. A lot of those guys are playing in the new ABA league and a couple other one's were just in the gym working out getting ready to go overseas. Those are guys that I really look up to and guys that just love to play the game, and that are role models for me. I got a lot of studying to do so I’m going to leave it on that.

11/27/07

Last Tuesday night we got a big win against parkland to move us too 5-1. Not bad but it could be better (6-0). After that thanksgiving holiday wetr pretty good. I just spent most of my time hanging out with my family a little bit and resting up for practice and making sure I'm fresh. I'm really starting to focus in more in practice and my game is starting to really hit its stride. I'm almost in that zone where it. Feels like nobody can stop you but I'm not there yet, but I will be soon. We have a couple of weeks until the end of the semester so I'm really tryin to hit the books hard these last few weeks. Its something that is crucial for me and that I have to get done. We have 9 more games until the break so we're really about to hit a stretch run of games these next couple of weeks so you know the goal is 14-1 at the end of this stretch, but we'll just have to see what happens.

11/18/07

Its a few days until Thanksgiving, and I can't wait. That means that I get to spend time with the fam and I get a few much needed days out of school that I've been waiting for awhile now. Our road trip to St. Louis was pretty kool. We ended up winning a game and losing a game to put are record at 4-1. On the season which isn't bad but we'd rather be 5-0.Watching the team in what I would call our 1st adverse situation of the season. I now see the things that we need to work on a lot easier than I did before. Its good watching them because when my time comes I feel like I’ll be able to help our team in some of the our weaker area's, which will make us that much tougher to beat. Our goal is to win a national championship and we're still in great shape to get it done so I don't think we'll let this one L affect us too much, so we'll be fine.

11/11/07

Are first game of the season was this past Tuesday. We played Olivet Nazerene. Our team really jumped on them right away and we were up by as many as 18 real early into the game, but they came back and cut the lead to 4 pts and we were on up by 6 at half. There was never any doubt that we were going to win the game as we ended up takin control in the 2nd half and winning by 15, but watching the game and not being able to play is kind of a blessing in disguise for me. I kind of get to sit back and really analyze the game, I can really look at our teams strong points and weak points and really kind of plug in where we could use a little help. I see that right now we could probably rebound a little better and we need to show a little bit more of a killer instinct and really put teams away. I saw that our team kind of played down to our competition a little bit, but then again its only game 1 and W is a W.

11/04/07

Finally a weekend with no class. I feel like I'm gettin better and better as the season gets closer as we’re 4 days away. The only bad thing about the season now is we're going to start having Sunday morning practices which isn't going to be to fun. I'm not really looking forward to that at all .School is starting to get a lil bit harder as I have 3 papers due next week so its getting a little rough. I have to find a way to get it done. Halloween this week was kool. A lot of ppl came to school in their costumes and stuff, and ppl were a bunch of different characters. I saw a lot of Mike Vick's which kinda surprised me,but hey what can you say. Well the weekend is here and I have to get started on these papers so I'm out.

10/29/07

The weekend went pretty good. I finished my Friday night and Saturday class,and my team played pretty well all the weekend in a couple of exhibition games. I see now what type of team we have and what we're capable of. I think we have a chance to win a national championship. If we just keep getting better and keep progressing as the season goes on we'll be a really good team.Today I think I finally started to turn the corner and I'm really really starting to pick my game up. I'm understanding the offense a whole lot better I'm starting to get my legs underneath me and my defense is really starting to pick up so everything seems to be goin in a positive direction. School is also goin pretty good,not great ,but good. I think that's all I have for now and I'm sure in a couple of days there'll be a lot more to get into, but for now that's what I got .Peace

10/27/07

It's my last day of my weekend class today.I'm ready for this test and our group presentation. I feel real relieved that its finally over even thou it really hasn't been that long to begin with,but goin long for so many hours on the weekend really make it seem like it. We had our 1st exhibition game last nite against moody bible which didn't have an official score because it was requested that the game be played that way. I didn't get to see my teammates play because by the time I got out of class the game was over so I have no idea what happened,but I'm hoping it went pretty well thou. Today I'm hoping that I can get out of class early and make it over to kennedy king in time to possibly play in our last game over there but if not o well I'm not really stressin over it. Stuff always seems to work itself out.

10/23/07

Another long day. Class at 8 am papers and projects due just a lot goin on all at once. It can get real heck and you have to learn how to balance it all and get in some good studying and that's just the school part. Then after all of this there's practice and sometimes after along day in class practice is the last thing I wanna do, but when I get there and start that's when I realize how much I love it. Sometimes when I get there I'm not real focused and basketball is the last thing on my mind but after awhile you can't think about anything else but the game and what you're doing at that one moment. Its the best get away there is for me and its something that keeps my mind right. Its what I do!

10/21/07

Getting real close to the start of the regular season. I'm curious to see what type of season we'll have. This is the first time in my life where I'm goin into a season where I have no idea what type of season we'll have. I don't know how good we'll be or how bad we'll be. I don't have a clue! Its kind of exciting though. Our team plays Friday night in our first preseason game against Moody Bible and then the next day in the Kennedy-King Jamboree, so then I should be able to get some idea of where we'll be as a team and the area's we'll need to improve in to get better as the season goes along. For me instead of being on the court and goin at it with my teammates I'll be in my last weekend of a health class. Yes I said weekend! Class is from 6-9 on Friday night and from 9-3 on Saturdays. Yes the times are right 6 hours on Sat. In the big scheme of things theses games are what they are PRESEASON and class is more important at this point. My team's season starts on Nov 6th. My season starts on Jan 3rd(transfer and school registration issues).So right now I'm just working hard everyday to make sure I'm ready to go and making sure I can come help the team out at that time and get ready for the stretch run of the season. There is a lot of uncertainty, but that's just how I like it. I wouldn't have it any other way.

10/17/07(2)...

It's the middle of October and it's getting a little bit cooler. Football

season is starting to hit its stretch run (college) and basketball season

is right around the corner. Right now that urgency is starting to kick

in. It's now that I'm starting to really feel it,all of the summer time

accolades and being one of the best jc(junior college)players in the

country means nothing at all. I'm getting pushed everyday. The talent means

nothing. It's all about heart now and who wants it the most. I don't know

what the future holds for this season or the next. Nobody knows; I look at

my life and there have been so many twists and turns that I have

learned to expect it and anticipate it. They're my trials and tribulations, they

build my character and make me tougher.

The only thing you can control in this world is giving it your all and

leaving everthing out there in every aspect of life. That's all you can

really control,but its the most important thing you can control so make

sure you control it because it'll lead to endless possibilities.

*********

I want to send a quick shoutout to Ms. Nikki Ezzem,for the idea of the

blog.I kind of copied her a little bit on how I'm writing it and the

angle I'm tryin to come from with.Check out nikkinoel.blog.com

10/17/07(1)...

Practice the first couple of weeks have been tough. I started off pretty

slow,but lately I've been getting real comfortable in the system and

with my teammates. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if I didn't

play basketball.I wonder how different my life would be. I can't even

really think about it. It's something I can't even dream off. I feel like if

you have a dream you have to really attack it,and work to do whatever

you can to get. I feel blessed to be in any situation no matter what

because I feel I can make the most of it. A lot of people don't even have

situations so I feel grateful to always have that chance at making all

my hopes and dreams come true. Never give up!


	WEB SPORTS CHICAGO \| home BLOGS Maxwell Jackson has had plenty of history on our site; he's our first Journal writer. Now he's breaking new ground by becoming our first Blog Writer. Playing currently at Palatine's Harper College, this DeLasalle graduate will post frequently not only on what is going on with him at school and on the court, but also on his observations on ALL that is going on around him. 1/12/08 Well its been a rough last couple of weeks. I tweaked my ankle a little bit in practice and its been something that has been kind of hindering me a little bit. We lost a tough road game to South Suburban. It was my first game of the year and I played a lot of minutes but I didn't have a good game which attributed to our lost. I was a little nervous before the game, but I was more anxious than anything. I think I was just a little bit to excited before the game. Next we had what I would call an ok week of practice ,I felt that I really didn't have the same energy as I'd had in the previous weeks. I can't really explain it but I think I'll have a whole lot of energy next week after we lost a tough game to Oakton by one. I didn't really play a lot this game. My coach is trying to work me in slowly and let me pick up the offense a little more before conference starts against Triton, but after losing a 10 point lead to Oakton in the last 3 minutes of the game we didn't deserve to win. It was a big wake up call for me and it was that little extra boost that I needed going into conference. We've lost 2 in a row now to bring our record to 13-4 so it is something that has really lit a fire beneath me. Hopefully we can come together as a team and get it right! 12/31/07 Hey I hope everyone is having a great holiday and staying safe. This time of year is not about the gifts and the presents but more importantly being able to spend time with your friends and family and being thankful for them and cherishing each and every moment with them. Live your life to the fullest have fun and appreciate all that you have because there are many who don't have anything at all. Take advatage and be prepared for every opportunity that you encounter. You only have one life so make the best of it and live it! Be safe God bless and happy holidays. 12/23/07 It’s been a little bit more than 2 weeks since the last time I've written. I've really just been tryin to focus in and end the semester on a good note academically. My mind has been wondering a little bit lately. I haven't really had the same type of focus on the court that I was really starting to pick up. I'm guessing maybe it was finals and me just really worrying about school. We don't get back to school until January 22nd; so the last couple of days since finals have been over a light switch just clicked back on, and I've really regained my focus. I'm really ready to play right about now. I'm so hungry right now. Our team is 12-2 right now and we're ranked top 5 I the country so I'm real excited to be able to help out where I can and kind of get I where I fit in. At the same time since our team is so good right now I'm a little bit nervous in terms of not really messing up the flow of our team. I just hope everything goes well with me as it did without me and that's my only concern, but there's more excitement there than anything else. I'm counting down the days. It’s not about individual accolades with me… I just want to win, winning is everything to me. If we win a national championship we will have accomplished our goal, but if we don't its a disappointment. So we're just going to take it one step at a time and see how everything goes from there. 12/08/07 Man its been a fast couple of weeks. Our team got back on the winning track and now we're 8-2 and we're ranked number 6 in the country in our division. Hopefully we can just keep improving as the season goes on. Like I said we're 8-2 but it's not a pretty 8-2 and I hope we can get a whole lot better. We're in our last 2 weeks of school and the workload is getting heavy. I just picked up a psychology class that is on Friday nights from 6-10:30 and on Saturday’s from 9-7. Yea that’s right a 10 hour class. It’s rough as we get a few 15 min breaks throughout the day but its still too much. I have one more week of that class and I’m done, So I’m just gonna chalk this one up and deal wit it. You gotta do what u gotta do. Couple weeks ago I came back to the city to try to come play a little bit but I got back real late and they we're almost done so it wasn’t any point in me playing. A couple guys there that I’m cool wit were Daron Evans(Indiana State), Aaron "Wax" Wellington (Maryland Eastern Shore-Robert Morris), Mark Manning(DePaul), Steve Parham(Maryland Eastern Shore)and last but not least Mr.Websportschicago T.J. "Tuna" Jackson. A lot of those guys are playing in the new ABA league and a couple other one's were just in the gym working out getting ready to go overseas. Those are guys that I really look up to and guys that just love to play the game, and that are role models for me. I got a lot of studying to do so I’m going to leave it on that. 11/27/07 Last Tuesday night we got a big win against parkland to move us too 5-1. Not bad but it could be better (6-0). After that thanksgiving holiday wetr pretty good. I just spent most of my time hanging out with my family a little bit and resting up for practice and making sure I'm fresh. I'm really starting to focus in more in practice and my game is starting to really hit its stride. I'm almost in that zone where it. Feels like nobody can stop you but I'm not there yet, but I will be soon. We have a couple of weeks until the end of the semester so I'm really tryin to hit the books hard these last few weeks. Its something that is crucial for me and that I have to get done. We have 9 more games until the break so we're really about to hit a stretch run of games these next couple of weeks so you know the goal is 14-1 at the end of this stretch, but we'll just have to see what happens. 11/18/07 Its a few days until Thanksgiving, and I can't wait. That means that I get to spend time with the fam and I get a few much needed days out of school that I've been waiting for awhile now. Our road trip to St. Louis was pretty kool. We ended up winning a game and losing a game to put are record at 4-1. On the season which isn't bad but we'd rather be 5-0.Watching the team in what I would call our 1st adverse situation of the season. I now see the things that we need to work on a lot easier than I did before. Its good watching them because when my time comes I feel like I’ll be able to help our team in some of the our weaker area's, which will make us that much tougher to beat. Our goal is to win a national championship and we're still in great shape to get it done so I don't think we'll let this one L affect us too much, so we'll be fine. 11/11/07 Are first game of the season was this past Tuesday. We played Olivet Nazerene. Our team really jumped on them right away and we were up by as many as 18 real early into the game, but they came back and cut the lead to 4 pts and we were on up by 6 at half. There was never any doubt that we were going to win the game as we ended up takin control in the 2nd half and winning by 15, but watching the game and not being able to play is kind of a blessing in disguise for me. I kind of get to sit back and really analyze the game, I can really look at our teams strong points and weak points and really kind of plug in where we could use a little help. I see that right now we could probably rebound a little better and we need to show a little bit more of a killer instinct and really put teams away. I saw that our team kind of played down to our competition a little bit, but then again its only game 1 and W is a W. 11/04/07 Finally a weekend with no class. I feel like I'm gettin better and better as the season gets closer as we’re 4 days away. The only bad thing about the season now is we're going to start having Sunday morning practices which isn't going to be to fun. I'm not really looking forward to that at all .School is starting to get a lil bit harder as I have 3 papers due next week so its getting a little rough. I have to find a way to get it done. Halloween this week was kool. A lot of ppl came to school in their costumes and stuff, and ppl were a bunch of different characters. I saw a lot of Mike Vick's which kinda surprised me,but hey what can you say. Well the weekend is here and I have to get started on these papers so I'm out. 10/29/07 The weekend went pretty good. I finished my Friday night and Saturday class,and my team played pretty well all the weekend in a couple of exhibition games. I see now what type of team we have and what we're capable of. I think we have a chance to win a national championship. If we just keep getting better and keep progressing as the season goes on we'll be a really good team.Today I think I finally started to turn the corner and I'm really really starting to pick my game up. I'm understanding the offense a whole lot better I'm starting to get my legs underneath me and my defense is really starting to pick up so everything seems to be goin in a positive direction. School is also goin pretty good,not great ,but good. I think that's all I have for now and I'm sure in a couple of days there'll be a lot more to get into, but for now that's what I got .Peace 10/27/07 It's my last day of my weekend class today.I'm ready for this test and our group presentation. I feel real relieved that its finally over even thou it really hasn't been that long to begin with,but goin long for so many hours on the weekend really make it seem like it. We had our 1st exhibition game last nite against moody bible which didn't have an official score because it was requested that the game be played that way. I didn't get to see my teammates play because by the time I got out of class the game was over so I have no idea what happened,but I'm hoping it went pretty well thou. Today I'm hoping that I can get out of class early and make it over to kennedy king in time to possibly play in our last game over there but if not o well I'm not really stressin over it. Stuff always seems to work itself out. 10/23/07 Another long day. Class at 8 am papers and projects due just a lot goin on all at once. It can get real heck and you have to learn how to balance it all and get in some good studying and that's just the school part. Then after all of this there's practice and sometimes after along day in class practice is the last thing I wanna do, but when I get there and start that's when I realize how much I love it. Sometimes when I get there I'm not real focused and basketball is the last thing on my mind but after awhile you can't think about anything else but the game and what you're doing at that one moment. Its the best get away there is for me and its something that keeps my mind right. Its what I do! 10/21/07 Getting real close to the start of the regular season. I'm curious to see what type of season we'll have. This is the first time in my life where I'm goin into a season where I have no idea what type of season we'll have. I don't know how good we'll be or how bad we'll be. I don't have a clue! Its kind of exciting though. Our team plays Friday night in our first preseason game against Moody Bible and then the next day in the Kennedy-King Jamboree, so then I should be able to get some idea of where we'll be as a team and the area's we'll need to improve in to get better as the season goes along. For me instead of being on the court and goin at it with my teammates I'll be in my last weekend of a health class. Yes I said weekend! Class is from 6-9 on Friday night and from 9-3 on Saturdays. Yes the times are right 6 hours on Sat. In the big scheme of things theses games are what they are PRESEASON and class is more important at this point. My team's season starts on Nov 6th. My season starts on Jan 3rd(transfer and school registration issues).So right now I'm just working hard everyday to make sure I'm ready to go and making sure I can come help the team out at that time and get ready for the stretch run of the season. There is a lot of uncertainty, but that's just how I like it. I wouldn't have it any other way. 10/17/07(2)... It's the middle of October and it's getting a little bit cooler. Football season is starting to hit its stretch run (college) and basketball season is right around the corner. Right now that urgency is starting to kick in. It's now that I'm starting to really feel it,all of the summer time accolades and being one of the best jc(junior college)players in the country means nothing at all. I'm getting pushed everyday. The talent means nothing. It's all about heart now and who wants it the most. I don't know what the future holds for this season or the next. Nobody knows; I look at my life and there have been so many twists and turns that I have learned to expect it and anticipate it. They're my trials and tribulations, they build my character and make me tougher. The only thing you can control in this world is giving it your all and leaving everthing out there in every aspect of life. That's all you can really control,but its the most important thing you can control so make sure you control it because it'll lead to endless possibilities. ******* I want to send a quick shoutout to Ms. Nikki Ezzem,for the idea of the blog.I kind of copied her a little bit on how I'm writing it and the angle I'm tryin to come from with.Check out nikkinoel.blog.com 10/17/07(1)... Practice the first couple of weeks have been tough. I started off pretty slow,but lately I've been getting real comfortable in the system and with my teammates. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if I didn't play basketball.I wonder how different my life would be. I can't even really think about it. It's something I can't even dream off. I feel like if you have a dream you have to really attack it,and work to do whatever you can to get. I feel blessed to be in any situation no matter what because I feel I can make the most of it. A lot of people don't even have situations so I feel grateful to always have that chance at making all my hopes and dreams come true. Never give up!**