First Captain Announced

There's no secret Josh Stephen is PCTI's most decorated player through year 6, leading the way with most MVP awards, wins, and some would say is the greatest GM in league history.  It would be easy to question where he finds the motivation after all the accolades, and it appears after reflection on whether to retain his rights as captain, he has made the decision he will go out like Peyton Manning, on top, and give up his rights.

As of today, Jeff Sabin, along with his 0-4 career record is officially taking over Abe's rights as captain and after two years away from the game, will be taking over a post many would say no one has ever handled worse.  How Sabin will handle his leadership role this time around will be highly scrutinized in the weeks leading up to the draft... Will it be another hands on, no-nonsense, us vs. the world off-season in his second go around?  Time will tell, but I can promise one thing... Everyone will be paying attention.  

I'm Coming Home

Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Plano. It’s where I walked. It’s where I ran. It’s where I cried. It’s where I bled. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I’m their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Northeast Texas is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that two years ago. I do now.



Remember when I was a villain in PCTI III? I was thinking, “Man, this is really tough.” I could feel it. I was doing something way out of character. If I had to do it all over again, I’d obviously do things differently, but I still would’ve hated Pitto.


These past four years helped raise me into who I am. I became a worse player, but a better man. I learned from other PCTI teams where I wanted to go. I will always think of Lexington as my second home. Without the experiences I had there, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing today.

I went to Plano because of DK and BC. We made sacrifices to keep Bruise. I loved becoming a big bro to Beas. I believed we could do something magical if we came together. And that’s exactly what we did! Wait, we got swept, nevermind. The hardest thing to leave was what I built with those guys. I’ve talked to some of them and will talk to others. Nothing will ever change what we could not accomplish. We are brothers for life. 

I’m doing this essay because I want an opportunity to explain myself uninterrupted. I don’t want anyone thinking: He and Pitto didn’t get along. … He and The Doctor didn’t get along. … Legs Feed the Wolf couldn’t put the right team together. That’s absolutely not true.

I’m not having a press conference or a party. After this, it’s time to get to work.



When I left Lexington, I was on a mission. I was seeking championships, and I found none. My city hasn’t had that feeling in a long, long, long time. My goal is still to win as many titles as possible, no question. But what’s most important for me is bringing one trophy back to Northeast Texas.



I always believed that I’d return to Cincinnati and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when. After I couldn’t play in V and VI, I got kicked out of the league. But I had two kids and my wife, Jennifer, was pregnant with our third. And when my career kept getting in the way of PCTI, I had to re-evaluate my priorities in life. I contemplated becoming a free agent for PCTI knock-off leagues around the country, but I wasn’t going to leave PCTI for anywhere. The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy.



To make the move I needed the support of my wife and my mom, who can be very tough. The letter from Commissioner Krow was hard to accept. My PCTI fans booing me, my jersey getting burned -- seeing all that was hard for them. My emotions were mixed. It was easy to say, “OK, I don’t want to deal with these people ever again.” But then you think about the other side. What if I were a kid who looked up to an athlete, and that athlete made me want to do better in my own life, and then he left? How would I react? I’ve met with Dan, face-to-face, man-to-man. We’ve talked it out. Everybody makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes as well. Who am I to hold a grudge?



I’m not promising a PCTI championship. I know how hard that is to deliver. I’m 0-4 in PCTI and I’m older and slower now than ever before. Of course, I want to win next year, but I’m realistic. It will be a long process, much longer than it was in 2010. My patience will get tested. I know that. I’m going into a situation with a young team and a new coach. I will be the old head. But I get a thrill out of bringing a group together and helping them reach a place they didn’t know they could go. I see myself as a mentor now and I’m excited to lead some of these talented young guys. I think I can help Beas become one of the best point guards in our league. I think I can help elevate Cockstrong and The Doctor and Spotlight. And I can’t wait to reunite with DK and BC, my favorite teammates.



But this is not about the roster or the organization. I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in PCTI and I know that now. I want kids in Northeast Texas, like the 18 kids that I coach in youth basketball, to realize that there’s no better place to grow up. Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business. That would make me smile. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get.



In Northeast Texas, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have.

I’m ready to accept the challenge. PCTI, I’m coming home.