The big kids decided to try a new sport for winter. Generally, the boys play indoor soccer but unfortunately the indoor complex was destroyed by the Dec 10th tornado last year. Both boys played basketball last winter but honestly that season was a wash because of all the difficulties and closures caused by the tornado. Keagan's basketball was short-lived this year as he didn't make the middle school team after three days worth of try-outs (including a call-back). That was devastating for all involved and the first time a kid of ours hasn't been good enough for something. A parenting right of passage and a good life lesson for Keagan. He really took it well after the initial severe disappointment, and has been a huge supporter of his brother and sister through their basketball endeavors. Finn and Maclyn played basketball through their school's little league team and it was quite intense!
This was Maclyn's first time ever playing basketball and, while she still has a whole lot to learn, she vastly improved over the season! And the best part of it: she LOVED it! If you ever need some joy and laughter in your soul, come watch little girls play basketball. It is hilarious utter chaos, but super serious to them. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Maclyn and her little team, and her coach did a fantastic job with the girls. Unfortunately they don't keep score for Kindergarten-First grade players, but I've been told that we won every game.
Finley has played basketball every season he could, BUT, his seasons have been marked by Covid and a tornado. So his past experiences are more of an energy burner than an actual sport. This season was a whole new ball game (pun intended). Finn played on a 4th-5th grade team from his school, and they only had 6 players as compared to all the other county teams that had 8-10 players! And the first practice was a little, um, uninspiring. Only one kid seemed to know what he was doing (it wasn't mine!) and one kid couldn't dribble and walk and didn't realize you couldn't carry the ball down the court, and 75% of the kids didn't have a concept of the game (ahem, Finn..). But they won their first game, then their second...and by the end of the season they had won every single game handedly! The league decided to do a tournament with single elimination games over the course of a week. Finn's team was probably picked to win, but the other teams had significantly improved by then so the competition was tough! And the reffing left, well, a lot to be desired. (Ask Josh. Or the mom from another team that got kicked out...) The first game was a close one, with a 10 point differential. The second game wasn't so bad. The third game was a true nail-biter and our kids were not at their best. (mind you: super late games and early school days full of Christmas candy and activities aren't really conducive for the best game play) But they won by 2 points! So that meant they made it to the championship game, which didn't actually start til 9:15pm! That was after they played the 3rd game. The championship game started out bad-bad...the boys were losing super bad. But they pulled together and came back to win the game! So these little underdogs, who hardly had a sub when they were exhausted, who didn't look like they could even shoot a basket/defend/dribble in the beginning, who probably didn't ever think they COULD....DID! They WON the Championship!! We were pretty excited! And the best part (that no one knew til the end): these boys get a plaque in their school! (For the record: Josh didn't get kicked out, but he mouthed a lot at the end.)
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| Maclyn said at one point: "Basketball is SO AWESOME!" |
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| Maclyn and Kayden were a goofy pair during their games...almost as fun to watch as the actual game |
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| Finn's coach (kneeling in blue) gave Finn one of the best compliments ever. It made this mama's heart proud and I couldn't help but tear up. His wife told me that he told her that Finn was one of the most coachable kids he's ever had; that Finn does exactly what coach tells him to do and tries with 100% of his ability. Finn certainly isn't the best baller there is, but I would hear that compliment about my kid any day over ever hearing how excellent a shooter he is, or the like. |
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| Aunt Hannah and Adam came to watch Finn! |
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| Oh Mac and Kayden... |
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| defensive stance or thriller dance? |
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| Kayden and Mac: Best Friends and teammates |
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| Maclyn was mad that I wouldn't pay a bunch of money for professional basketball pictures...so I took some pics of her in the poses she wanted |
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| Grandma made it to Kentucky to see Finn's last two tournament games! |
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| a Grandma Sandwich! |
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| Little League Champs! |
