Yesterday was such a glorious stay-home day that it was hard to make myself leave to go to Whitney's basketball game last night. That may also have something to do with the fact that the word "game" is used in a purely symbolic sense at the 2nd grade level. I also feared a reprise of the bleacher-butt pain I experience at last week's game, but this time we were on the other side of the gym and there were plastic chairs to sit on instead (they were only slightly more comfortable than the bleachers).
At this early level of basketball playing they spend 25 minutes learning and practicing, and then have 30 minutes to play against another team. They don't keep score, they don't call many of the infractions being committed (there's a whole lot of traveling and double dribbling going on), and the kids aren't very keen to share the ball. It makes for some funny moments for sure.
Miss Whitney is one of the taller kids and is able to make baskets during the practice time, but her performance during the game is different. She tends to guard the other team while her team is on offense and then forgets to guard her guy when she's on defense. She's good about keeping her arms up and hopping around like she's defending something, but thus far her efforts have proved fruitless. She's mainly concerned with being the one who gets to thrown the ball in after the other team scores. It sounds like she needs a basketball tutorial from my dad, aka Senor Basketball.
Even though it's uncomfortable to watch these "games" and it's not nearly as fun to watch as it is to coach, I still love being a part of it. I'm glad she gets to do this, I love it that she's the only girl on the team (go Whitney!), and know she will keep getting better and better.
**Have you seen basketball at this level?
Did you play as a kid?**
Did you play as a kid?**
12 comments:
Jessica starts basketball tonight. I am excited for her... we signed her up in Saratoga Springs because she can be on an all girls team. I have liked the co-ed teams so far but in basketball the boys definitely tend to dominate as they get older.
James is a full time defensive player too. He gets so focused he forgets to make the switch.
Cute pictures of Whitney.
go whitney!
I didn't realize your dad was Senor Basketball! I haven't ever seen basketball at this level. I'm glad you're enjoying it.
Luci is one of the shorter players on her team and so she's quite funny to watch. Bball is not Luci's sport but I have to give it to her for trying.
Sports are a big deal here which is amusing to me. Luci's team's jerseys were bid out to Russell Athletics and the jerseys from Russell are being made in China. The 1st game is next Monday and parents are in an uproar because the kids have been given "temporary" t-shirts to wear until the jerseys are in. Luci likes her little t-shirt just fine!
The bball practices - 3 times a week - have been a big adjustment for me! This Saturday's parctice is at 8 am.
I have seen soccer (or magnet ball as we call it) at this level, but not basketball. I played in middle school and wasn't very good, but I was tall so I always made the team. Whitney is lucky to be doing sports so young- I really do believe girls have an advantage as they get older if they do sports.
Jill, correct me if I am wrong but where you not the only girl on the soccer team at FHN? Oh, that apple is not falling far from the tree. *That's a great thing.
I have not been to a basketball game at that level. It would be fun, funny.... Whitney is so cute!
I love that she is the only girl! I love that she enjoys sports so much! I love that you support and encourage both your littles in all that they do!
GOOO mom!
Team sports are so good for kids. I think Tess is going to do soccer next seasons and I can't wait for her to have these same experiences.
I love days when you get to stay home.
love that picture of Randy and Whitney.
I never played as a kid except at school I would've loved to.
We had an investigator on our mission who's son played basetball he was in 3rd grade it was a lot of fun to go and watch.
Sounds EXACTLY like Carly's basketball season last year...although it is fun to see them improve through the course of one year :o) We don't play basketball until the end of January.
What a sweet girl..she looks so happy playing.
How great for Whitney! I loved playing basketball :) It is so hard for me to believe that Whitney is only ne year older than Noelle. I honestly don't think Noelle could even lift a basketball over her head, let alone shoot it!
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