Winners, Almost

I’m tired. Every May I think I just can’t go any more. And we just keep pluggin’ along. And some how we make it to June. I’m almost there! 

We’ve spent more hours than I want to count on the courts this weekend. Yesterday we won one game and lost one. Today we fought back to win two games and make it to the championship game. We are coming home in second place with medals! While winning first place would have been more ideal, we have to be proud of the success the boys have had this weekend. Just a few weeks ago we were losing by 50 points; I never thought I’d see us coming home with medals.

Keagan and Casey

Keagan “coaching.”

No smiles because it’s not first, but I’m super proud of them. They fought hard to the very end. 

We have next weekend off. I’m already looking forward to a full weekend at home! 

Never Been Prouder of a Loss

Our mediocre team somehow got placed in the gold bracket in this weekend’s tournament. We lost Friday night by 55 points playing 14 year olds built like 16 year olds. I’m not even kidding. We lost Saturday afternoon by 40 points to guys down low who were easily six feet tall. They made our post players look like elementary aged kids. We played again Saturday night, and even though we could have easily given up after such big losses, our boys fought hard to stay in the game. I’ve never been so proud of such effort or heart! We lost, but only by three. Keagan had ten points, one fourth of the team’s points. 

https://youtu.be/rg9JDtu5Q-U

https://youtu.be/uF3IvFtb1Nc

Tourney

It’s going to be a long season. This weekend was our first AAU tournament, and we did not look very good. We looked like the wanna be team that wants to play but doesn’t have the skills. It appeared we might have a chance in game one when we won 42-18. 

We lost game two 45-47 in an OT heartbreaker that we could have won had Keagan made his two free throws with 4.7 seconds left. Game three was lost 52-67. My number 35 put up great stats with a total of 28 points and 20 assists.

His steal in game two:

We are back at it next weekend!

Back on the Courts

After spending the past month watching other people’s kids playing basketball, I finally got to watch my own. Today’s club jamboree is the official start to the season. He’s been playing the four, but he got to play in the one today. He drove in the paint and made 4 of his six shots. 

But that wasn’t enough to win. The opposing team had a 13 year old that could dunk, and he did. Twice. Meanwhile, our lack of height put us at a big disadvantage. We lost today, but I’m hopeful that, with hard work, wins are on the horizon. 

Personal Training Session

Keagan’s basketball teammates are on spring break this week; (we don’t have spring break until next week). Coach wanted to get the boys that were in town together for some training and a light shoot around. Keagan was the only player to show up. For two hours, he trained with his coach individually. 

He loved it!

He wanted to know if he could do this every week. I had to remind him basketball is a TEAM sport. 

New Start

Keagan practiced this week with his new AAU team. We are back on the road driving an hour and some change just south of Nashville three times a week. Nobody cusses at the coach or has had to be restrained for violent tendencies. Nobody has recently been released from prison. Wednesday night I parked next to a parent driving a Lexus. The school gym we use is part of a private elementary school that charges upward $45K a year in tuition. Suffice it to say, compared to years past, this has been a very different experience for us. 

Wednesday night Keagan told me I wasn’t going to fit in with these moms. “These moms came prissin’ in the gym with their little boots, scarves, and blush wavin’ fans and complaining of how hot it was in the gym.” I wasn’t sure how to take this. I had on booties and wore make-up. So I asked, “Who do I fit in with then?” 

“Well certainly not with anyone too prissy. I can see you tellin’ them to get over the heat -it’s a gym. It’s going to be real fun watching you with them this year.”

I’m on a mission. I’m making friends with every prissy mama. 

All Star Game

It was Red vs Blue at today’s all Star Game, and Red came out on top 95-91. 

Introductions:

Keagan’s basket: 

https://youtu.be/_DSKbw1-JL0

Keagan’s blocked drive:

https://youtu.be/K9U4oS8derU

This picture was taken by the local newspaper. His cheering squad - his teacher, coach, and his parents - are all in the background. 

It wasn’t number 14’s best game. He only got to play the point in two possessions and he was lost playing shooting guard. He was ready to leave as soon as it was over, and he was ready to redeem himself at AAU practice. 

As part of the program, players invite an influential teacher to attend and the teachers are recognized at half time. Keagan chose Mrs. Robards, his seventh grade math teacher. She supported our losing and winning seasons and attended home and away games. She also happens to be our neighbor. She’s one of the best! 

All Star Media Day

Sunday was the KY TN All Star Media Day. It’s so exciting to see the best ballers on the same court at the same time. Saturday is the actual game, but tonight the boys met, scrimmaged, and participated in a media interview. 

https://youtu.be/mAXQJVdTAL0

Media Day Intros

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WKk-K9aCZ_s

Media Interview

Scrimmage Video Clip:

https://youtu.be/2uwdjrFymuY

Keagan started by running the point and he scored two buckets. He also had two assists. Then he played shooting guard and he didn’t do quite as well. I sure hope his AAU team has him playing the point because it really is so natural for him. The “neon” team came out on top in tonight’s scrimmage. 

All Star

It’s official. Keagan received his invite to play in the TN/KY All-Star Game in March. He’s beyond excited. The director told us every coach in the district recommended Keagan. They all said that had to create a game plan to beat “the small white boy” or “Rossview’s PG” or “the Hawks #14.” Keagan posted his packet in Snapchat and high schoolers commented that they are looking forward to his playing with the team next year. He’s on cloud nine! I can’t wait to see him play next winter. 

It Was Over Too Soon

And just like that our season is over. We were defeated in the first round of playoffs by a team we have beaten twice this year. I thought for sure another losing season would mean Keagan would decide to play soccer exclusively, but he’s told everybody he plans to play high school basketball next year.

Three years ago an agility trainer told me Keagan was a much stronger basketball player than soccer. He told me he was more comfortable with a basketball in his hands than a soccer ball at his feet. I thought he was crazy. Last night, we went to a girls’ game and a stranger from an opposing team approached me to tell me how great of a ball player Keagan is. She said, “Please tell me I get to see him play with the high school team next year.”  

This decision saddens me and excites me at the same time. AAU tryouts are next month. We are still driving to Nashville but now for basketball instead of soccer. I can't say that I am surprised at all with his decision. It just seems so ironic to me that my big kid with natural talent in basketball chose soccer, and my smaller, more agile kid with a natural talent in soccer chose basketball. 

The above picture speaks volumes about our year. I told Keagan today that if he planned to play beyond middle school, then he had to abstain from "coaching" his teammates. There is no room for coaching a team when you are playing for someone that knows what they are doing. I told him he needed to work on his game and not the game plan. I'm not sure he agreed with me, but he agreed to at least consider my advice. Please, Lord, let him find a coach that will in fact coach.

Winter Ball

I still can't record any plays or games to save my life. This is the best I got and doesn't come close to capturing Keagan's reverse EuroStep that ended in a bucket and a win, his three pointer shot at the buzzer, his reverse layup, or his multiple assists to the guys down low. But I hope I can use this video to always remember how smooth he is with dribbling the ball. He is meant to play PG.

Tonight's win of 52-17 makes three wins in a row. It's too hard to think about the possibility of actually winning four in a row!

He’s Got Game

The middle school team played tonight’s opponent in November when we were in Jackson. They lost by 30 points that month. We lost again tonight, but it was a much closer game and we only lost by seven. Keagan had 12 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals. He had a great game!

The coach in the background kneeling near the bench had his eye on Keagan throughout the game. In fact, he came to a past game to scout Keagan. He’s notorious for watching games, taking notes, recording stats, and creating plays that will be used to keep the strongest players on each team in check. He works at the most challenging middle school in the county and has a great reputation for working with challenging players. In short, he’s a great coach. Keagan has mentioned Coach K is his dream coach. He’s never had the best basketball coaches, and he truly yearns for good training. 

After tonight’s game, Keagan kindly asked if he could have a word with Coach K. Coach was completely caught off guard but agreed to talk. Keagan said, “It would be a great honor to play for you. I have great respect for you and the way you coach. If you have a summer AAU team, I would love the opportunity to try out for a roster spot.” Coach K was flattered and told him he would love for Keagan to play for him, but he planned to take the summer off from coaching to play some golf and sit on the couch. 

Keagan was disappointed, but I was so proud of him for asking. I was even prouder of his articulate compliment and well-thought out approach. The search for a team continues...

1-1

Love this guy. Look closely. That’s my guy on his knee saying the pregame prayer. We’ve never prayed before games - until now. 

We had a great first half and it all fell apart after halftime. We got desperate trying to force points and we made some mistakes, but even worse, some kids just couldn’t dig deep enough to play until the end. At the end of the game one of our teachers told me, “It’s too bad they don’t all have heart.” 

My boy left the locker room so very disappointed. He wants it so badly. He always has and seems to always get on teams with players that don’t share the same desire to win. 

Friday he was back in the lab - “gotta get better.”

Baller

We’ve kicked off the winter basketball season. Our first game ended with a W! I love the energy, the team spirit, and the anticipatiot of playing the school’s rival. So much so I almost forget about hard, wooden bleachers and hot, stuffy gyms. 

Keagan had eight assists, three steals, and four points. He was clearly in his element leading his team to victory. He’s born to encourage. He’s born to never give up. He’s born to always paint a positive picture -even if he doesn’t see what anyone else sees. In short, he’s born to coach.  

My hopes are high for the season as we have a perfect season with a record of 1-0. Go Hawks!

Team Captain

Not only did Keagan make the varsity basketball team, but he was also chosen as the team captain. Today he plays in the team’s first scrimmage.

He’s ready for double-doubles. He’s ready to play out of Evan’s shadow, but he doesn’t realize yet his strengths on the court go far beyond scoring buckets. He’s a proven leader; others look up to him. He can handle the ball with a layer of confidence that has him play with ease. He’s got the heart of a winner constantly challenging himself to be better. 

I’ll be cheering the loudest in the stands this year - no different from any other year - but cheering for him so that he gets that coveted double double. 

Victory is Sweet!

Unlike Evan’s basketball team, Keagan’s team hasn’t won one district game. The poor kid loves basketball and can’t even find a team that can win. It never fails, though. At the beginning of each game, even on crutches when he couldn’t play and had every reason to be mad at the world, Keagan rallies the boys. He gives the pep talk and says the pre-game prayer.

We were not hopeful with a win tonight. In fact, at the end of the first quarter we only had one bucket and I told a fellow parent, I would be happy with a score in the double digits. At half we were down by thirteen and, again, I was just hoping for us to be able to leave our home court with an ounce of pride. I was praying we wouldn’t lose by more than twenty.

But then a Christmas miracle happened. We came from behind in the third quarter and tied the game. With two minutes left in the game, we actually had a five point lead. When the buzzer went off, we were tied. This took us into three minutes of OT. Surprisingly, we left with the win! 41-38! 

My #14 did not play in any of the OT, but he took his role of encourager seriously. He was the first off the bench at time outs and the first to cheer when someone else scored. He also did his fair share of sideline coaching. Sometimes, your team wins and your role on the team is to be on the bench. Tonight was a great example of how you can contribute to a team’s win by sitting on the bench.

We now have two full weeks off and we will lose the momentum that would have followed us after tonight’s win. I’m hoping Keagan will be the sixth man needed in January to see to another win!

Ballin’

I never look forward to basketball season. Ever. The courts are indoors, the fans are annoying, and let’s face it, basketball is not soccer. It never fails, though. At first tip-off I’m on the edge of my seat cheering like I’ve been waiting for this for months. 

Keagan did not disappoint tonight. He was the starting PG and took command of the courts from the get-go.  With a thrilling last minute in the Jamboree that included a tech, a steal,  and a missed shot, I had to leave the edge of my seat and stand up! What an ending to a great game! The boys won 19-18! 

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I Can’t.Wait.For.this year’s season!

"I Made Varsity, Mama"

Thursday and Friday were middle school basketball tryouts. Keagan made the first cut and got invited to round two on a Tuesday night. At school one of the kids told Keagan, "Bro, you and I are about to put up points for the JV team." Keagan looked at him sideways and told him he could play JV but Keagan planned to play varsity. The kid responded with, "Dude, you're only in seventh grade. Look for your name on the JV roster."

Tuesday night K put up 14 points at round two of tryouts. Wednesday morning this was posted on the gym door.

Congrats, Baby Boy! I never doubted you would make varsity. Now drive to the goal and put up those points!

Time to Say Good-bye

I've never been happier to say good-bye to any sport season or team. I think we won only one game all season and that was to a team of fifth graders. I also think we accumulated more techs from the coaches than should be allowed. I'm still not quite sure who was rostered on our team because so many quit, returned, and then didn't show at games. I'm certain we went the entire season without one viable play. For many reasons it was rough.

 

 

My boy is still number one in my book, but he is closing his chapter in travel basketball with this organization.

It's No Fun to Lose

While Evan's AAU team is in St. Louis playing a nationally ranked basketball team out of Indianpolis, Keagan is playing basketball locally. I got lucky this weekend; I skip the four hour drive and sleep in my own bed!

But, Lawd, this basketball is so painful to watch. Poor Keagan is nothing but frustrated. He has been named the team captain for his positivty, but he can barely maintain his composure on the court. His team is just so bad. It's a real shame, too, because there is some real talent on the team.

We lost game one big with several of key players benched because of grades. We won game two against players that were predominately younger than us (thank goodness), and we lost game three against a really good team. It was a nail biter, but we came up short in the last few minutes of the game.

Keagan was completely bummed for such a bad start to the season, but I reminded him it was better than last year's start and the 40 point losses we had in Franklin. That didn't do much to pick up the mood, so we ate icecream and called it a day.