High Hopes for High Hoops

Last summer a coach at an opposing school asked if I would be interested in coaching a travel hoops team with him. I initially said probably not, I wasn't interested in travelling every weekend, yelling and screaming at kids all the time, basically doing the things you needed to do to coach a travel sports team.

He insisted it wouldn't be that way, and he needed help. We talked about his plans for the team, and I decided to do it.

We thought we were going to have a team made up of 5th and 6th graders. As it turned out we had 20 girls, and split the two teams up. The season has now ended, and there were special moments with each team. Our 5th graders, overwhelmed by having to play mostly 6th grade teams all season, never quit and never backed down from a challenge. We went 2-2 against teams in our own division, and a coach couldn't be prouder. The Big O started for the 5th grade team, and had some good games and some not so good games. But she grew alot in terms of her play, and had a lot of fun doing it.

Another great aspect of the team has been the closeness of the girls. They all have enjoyed each other, and they made some great new friends. It was a joy getting to coach these girls, and I'm thankful to have been asked to be a part of it.

VEGAS!!

7 years ago some buddies and I headed out to Vegas for the first weekend of March Madness. The kids were little, the Tornado not even here yet, and the CEO went with us. We stayed in a crappy hotel, had to get up at 6am to get a seat at the Venetian Sportsbook, and it was all fantastic.

This year, the kids are older, the CEO had no interest in going, 10 other guys were out there, the Spiders made the tournament, and we stayed in a suite on the 54th floor of the Wynn. And yeah, it was all fantastic.

A decade of perfecting CKK, folding in 1st half CKK, getting to shoot free throws for vodka-red bulls in the Wynn ballroom, all made for a great weekend. Of course the best part though, was getting to spend time with the guys, as we either just passed or just approached 40, catching up on our lives. It was a memorable weekend and a special time with friends.