Tough Game

Opening tip off

Earlier this week I watched Stuey's basketball team, A Balanced Approach (ABA), take on Family Pride in a L'il Dribblers game.  Stuey's team has been winning most of their games, and before the game he was talking up their chances - totally convinced his team was going to win.  I told him, 'Stuey, don't jinx yourself - they may be better than you think'.

And boy were they ever.  Stuey got one uncontested shot at the very beginning of the game and from there on out the other team totally jammed up ABA's offense.  They cut off passes and closely covered everybody on his team.  ABA literally could not get a shot off.  The shooter always had someone in his face. And the few good shots that they did get off always seemed to rim out.

By late in the second half it was looking bad - Stuey's team still had not scored.  I had been thinking, 'this is good for him - teach him a little humility'.  But getting shut out is another matter entirely.  So when in the closing minutes of the game Stuey put up a highly contested, 3 point range, Hail Mary, and it went in!  I cheered the loudest. 

After the game the basket gave him a little pride and he did not dwell on the blowout loss.  'Dad did you see it? it was a fade away 3 pointer!'  I also think the team learned something in the loss. 

Later in the week he came home from the next game and recounted how they had won by 4 and he'd scored 8 points. As he put it, 'Christian set me up on screens'.  It seems they did learn something!

Patrick

Stuey's first and last uncontested shot of the game

Darn but they're good