ANOTHER WEEKEND OF BASKETBALL

OK, we are on Week 5 (I think) and so far, the girls' teams are doing great. It was a heart breaking loss for Bethany's team. They finally got to play the other tough team in their league and lost by 1 point! They really all did so well. Bethany had some great blocks, rebounds, baskets, etc. All the girls played hard - especially when it was an early game on a Saturday!
But the hardest part was that the coach on the other team insisted his daughter made a basket she never made. I was scorekeeper, along with 2 other scorekeepers (one of them from the other team). None of us saw her make that basket. The coach claimed they were missing points and called all the girls over and we had all their baskets accounted for on the scoresheets and electronically on the scoreboard/clock. Then he asked his daughter if she made a basket and she said YES but she didn't. The Sr. Girls' commissioner said since we (the Tarheels) had the advantage (the score was 11-7 at this point - 2 basket lead not really an advantage ya know?) to go ahead and let them have it. I argued a bit wondering why 3 different scorekeepers didn't see this basket (that supposedly occurred 3-4 plays earlier) and how is it that this girl's coach (her dad) who pays attention to every detail, missed it? How is it they get the benefit of the doubt? Anyway, I told the commish it would be a heartbreaker if we lost by a basket and we ended up losing by ONE POINT! Ugh! He felt SO BAD but not as bad as all the girls on our team. It's about fun but at that age, with that level of play, it's not fun to lose and less fun to lose when it was in question.

Oh well, paybacks are...well you know. We ended up seeing that same Sr Girls' commissioner later in the day at Todd and Hannah's game. Her team, the Buckeyes played the Jr. Girls Tarheels. And his daughter was on the Tarheels! How about that? Now, I am not about revenge at all but I have to admit I was rehearsing what I might say to him if we beat his team, or if we lost by a basket. Either way, I had some good stuff! *lol*
We ended up beating his team by 3 points and I jokingly went up to him and said "Gee, those Tarheels can't catch a break today huh?" He had to laugh as he knew just what I meant! Then he confided in me that Beth's team really won that game and he talked to the other coach after the game and he thinks he knew it too. None of that really matters on paper or in the hearts of the girls who faced a tough loss but our girls are really good sports and that is great. I love that Bethany gets to play on a team like that. They are so much fun to watch. And they play so well together. There are some really good teams out there but the best ones really just hack their way to the wins and the refs let them. To me, that is as good as cheating and doesn't teach the girls sportsmanship or character. I am glad we don't win that way and that is to the credit of the girls and our coach. I think our coach is a little submissive and some don't like her style but she gets high marks for training girls of integrity rather than machines to win at any cost. So it was all good. :)
Playoffs come next month. So far, Beth's team is 3-2 and Todd and Hannah's team is 5-0. Both girls are having lots of fun and really into it. Hannah is progressing really well and Todd is loving his role as coach. Bethany is growing in cofidence with each game and is doing really well as point guard. Praise God for this fun time! :)