Basketball, Part 2

Gavin had the opportunity to play basketball in another league whose practices and games started the week after his other basketball league, and this time Brooks was the coach!  Gavin LOVED having his dad as his coach and really learned a lot playing back to back for several months.  It was impressive to see how much he improved on his skills.  Brooks LOVED being the coach... I mean, if he could quit his full time job and become a basketball coach I'm sure he would!  He had a team of 8 boys from 1st and 2nd grade while Gavin and Jeven, who was a brother of one of the other players were the only kindergartners- they let them play since Brooks was the coach.  Brooks did his best playing all his guys and making sure they all had ball time.  Brooks and the other teams coach spent time on the court with the players while they were playing to direct them and offer assistance and advice on what to do while they were playing.  This really helped keep the kids focused rather then being a distraction.  

This league did things a little different.  Not only did the teams play games, obviously, they also had skills test.  Each team would compete against one another in drills.  Players could earn points for shooting free throws, tossing the ball back and forth without dropping, racing another player by dribbling back and forth on the court, etc.  The points went towards the overall final score of the game. I really liked this idea since it caused the kids to practice skills they needed to actually play the games.  

Some games were a little more laid back then others and some were hard core...penalties being called, kids having to sit out, etc.  It was very interesting to watch parents reactions to some of the players actions, but I guess that's part of sports these days.  I realized I'm one of the parents trying to encourage my child on the sidelines, too, but always in a positive way (at least I think!).  I'm happy to say and very proud of my husband that our team had a 7-1 record and rocked it.  The boys improved every week, Brooks picked out each kids strengths and built on those and they did great!!  

Basketball was and still is a BIG thing in our house.  Gavin loves it just as much as Brooks and spends a lot of time with a basketball in his hands!  Of course, whatever Gavin does, Miles wants to do so he got in on some of the action, too.  We got him his own size basketball that he toted around everywhere and practiced dribbling, shooting, and passing!!  This truly became a family affair.  Brooklyn and I cheered everyone on from the sidelines!!  

Basketball

Gavin started playing basketball in a local league called SLAM.  It's very similar to Upward Basketball, a church sponsors the practices and games, devotions are shared during halftime, kids are encouraged to act and play Christ like, but, overall have a good time!  We were very fortunate that Gavin got on a great team, with good coaches, and teammates who were nice AND good at BB.  

To be honest, the first few games, I was a little nervous for Gavin because he just didn't seem like he could play to the level his teammates were playing and it just didn't seem like Gavin fully knew what was going on during the games.  Don't get me wrong, he could follow everyone and he would run up and down the court with his team and attempted to play defense, but he just wasn't "all there".  I quickly realized I was THAT mom yelling from the sidelines to her kid about what to do, where to go, who to watch, etc, etc.  After some convincing from Brooks that Gavin was going to be fine and things would eventually click for him, that he didn't have to play like a professional-- I started backing off and enjoying the games!  After a few more weeks of practices and games, one day everything clicked for Gavin.  He was scoring baskets, stealing, assisting, passing, and really playing ball!  Brooks and I were so proud of Gavin and you could see that he was having fun and even more proud of himself then we were!  

At the end of the season, Gavin was given the Most Improved Player on the Team and he really deserved it!!  I think we have a future star on our hands!!

 

 

Brooks got to participate in the Parents vs Coaches game and showed off his mad basketball skills!  It was so fun to watch him play and compete against some other great athletes.  He helped the parents stay up with the coaches, but in the end, Brooks' team lost by 1 point at the last second.