Taking it to the Hoop

Those of you who know me, know I have an aversion to sports.  God blessed me with a husband who doesn't watch sports on television.  For this I am truly thankful.  But, God also has a sense of humor and gave me two sons.  They love playing with balls and love sports.  Charles in particular.  Charles has a lot of energy so we've been looking for some athletic activities.  Until now, he's been too young.  This fall a parent from preschool who also attends our church told me about Fun Ball.  We signed up Charles, getting the last available spot in his age bracket. 

Now we're running to games and practices.  Thankfully, at the Pre-K/Kindergarten level it's not as demanding, with only one game and one practice each week.  I have to say, the league is great.  The focus is on teaching the boys to play.  Refs teach the kids as they make calls, and moving the players around to give everyone an opportunity to play.  And, they make all the calls they would in a game played by older kids.  I can't tell you how many times the game is stopped for double dribble and traveling!  Last night, though, they didn't award points one kid scored on the opposing team's basket. 

Charles' team now has two wins, and three losses.  Charles continues to improve with each game.  While he's afraid to catch a pass, he tries to grab and steal the ball at every opportunity.  One game he even had a foul...a "good foul" according to Russ.  Last night we had our final game before Christmas break. Charles' team won!  And, Charles scored a basket!  It was exciting and he had quite the cheering section with our family plus Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt Christy!

These pictures aren't from last night's game, but one a few weeks ago.  Thanks to Christy for letting me borrow her camera and the telephoto lens.  My point and shoot just doesn't cut it!

 Warming up before the game.  He's got to think really hard about shooting, but he's got good form. 

Stealing the ball.  He's caused a lot of jump balls. 

So, we're enjoying watching Charles play. And learn. It's so exciting to see him improve.  Last night he wasn't goofing around when he was on the bench, he was watching the game and in typical Charles style jumping up and down!

It's funny how God is involved in the little things...like basketball.  I heard about the league from someone at church who I don't know well, but have gotten acquainted with because her daughter is in Charles' class at preschool.  We were sitting in Sunday school a few weeks ago and were talking with a gentleman we see but haven't talked with before.  He knows the man who started the league, their kids played basketball together and they were fed up with the Biddy craziness so the guy started the Fun Ball league.  We've also seen people we know at Charles' games.  My dad ran into a former colleague and I've seen quite a few Tabor Alums.  Even a single friend of mine, he's really into basketball, knew about the league. 

I'm not a soccer mom but a basketball mom.  And that's okay with me.  Of all the sports I like this one best.  And I like that my son likes it.  That makes it worth the money and the hassle.  But, all that said, you won't find me wearing the pin with Charles' picture on it.  Ever.