I'm sure many of you have heard about the girls basketball team in Texas that beat another team 100-0. It's brought outrage and debate all across the country (or at least to those of us who follow ESPN).
But here in St. Johns, we had a story of sportsmanship and fun-one of the most-if not the most-unusual games I've ever seen.
Thursday night, the High School basketball teams played against Rough Rock. Within a quarter, we had the game fairly well in hand. Still, both sides kept playing tough and doing their best. In fact, at one point, a Rough Rock player actually dunked the ball! Not something you see much around here. It was a two-handed, backboard-shaking, pull yourself up on the rim sort of slam. He got a technical for pulling himself on the rim, but it was worth it for all of us. Even the St. Johns fans were cheering for him. On the court, our boys were high-fiving the kid and telling him how "bad" he was.
With the fourth quarter about half over, our coach put in some of the kids who don't get as much playing time. One of them is a boy with some difficulties. But let me tell you, he is a three point shooting king. Our goal was for him to get a basket. He would set up on the 3-point line, and everyone else would get him the ball. After each miss, the crowd would "Aaawwww!" in unison. After the first two attempts the Rough Rock kids caught on to what was going on, and backed off of him to let him get his shot. Finally, a shot went in and the whole crowd went wild.
But the story doesn't end there. There was still three or four minutes left in the game. How in the world would the boys go back to a normal game after that?! The answer is...they didn't. It now became a game to see if that Rough Rock player could dunk the ball again. The poor kid was wearing out, but time after time, he took the ball and tried to slam it in. This time, our team backed off and his team rebounded for him, while he attempted it. The crowed "Aaaawwed" and cheered him on each time. The officials (both good guys from here) were smiling and laughing with the rest of us as they overlooked any traveling or double dribbling that had to be done. He never was able to do it, but the one during the game was impressive enough.
As the final buzzer sounded, I think some of us realized that the final score wasn't the measure of this game. (Yeah, I know, I can say that because we won...) It was another instance when a bunch of teenagers showed us that really, it is just a game. And while it may be a rare thing for SJ Basketball, I think we all left the gym with a smile on our face.
9 comments:
Hi Marcie, Shawna Sherwood Kunzler here, I found your site off of Rachel Foxcrofts. I hope it is ok that IO checked it out. Anyway, I loved your post about the SJ BBall game. -That would be the place I know and love. Thanks for putting such a great story in writting!
Aw, man! We left after halftime and missed it. Thank you for putting this story into a beautiful piece of writing for us to enjoy and treasure. You should send it in to ESPN. What a great bunch of kids - and great parents who have raised them to be such.
I hadn't heard about this game. We were going to go, but I decided I dind't want to waste my money on a blow out! Sounds like it turned out good afterall!
I loved it. Sure was neat to watch and expereince.
It was an interesting game. I really appreciated all the opportunities Spencer got to finally sink his "3". I also enjoyed all the attempts Number 5 got to try and jam it again. But all I kept thinking was, "Verl must be rolling over!"
Ha, ha! Kristi, You are probably right about Verl-it certainly wasn't a "disciplined" 4th quarter.
that was beautifully said. i was sad when the kids came home and told me all about what I missed. i took the little whiney ones home early! spencer was one of our trek kids and my kids just love him. they think he is so cool. wish i could have been there.
Marcie, that is such an awesome story. That's one of those feel good moments that you don't hear about very often. I remember those good ole days, playing Many Farms and Red Mesa.....us braiding our hair and acting like crazy's....too much fun!
I can see it in my mind and I am bawling. I sure love that "3 point" kid. :)
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