March 13: My Basketball Stories

Come back with me in time to 5th and 6th grade. I had just moved to Welch the year before, my parents were divorcing, I had new glasses (red like Sally Jesse Raphael), I had permed hair with big bangs, and I had just learned to play basketball while all the other Welchians had been playing basketball their entire lives. We were required to play basketball on a team for 2 years. And, to no surprise to you, I was on the B team.

Basketball story in 5th grade:

You may not know about this, but you can play 6 on 6 in basketball. The court is divided into two by the middle line, and 3 are on defense while 3 are on offense. I was a defense player, probably only because I am terrible at dribbling. I get the ball, and I am trying to get it to my teammate Tracy across the line. I get double-teamed, and I stopped. What do I do? I pivot, again and again. I realize I am stuck, but Tracy is so close. LIGHTBULB! I just bend right down, roll the ball between my legs, and Tracy gets the ball, as the ENTIRE CROWD roars with laughter. Probably not my best moment, but it was bad the time I think I made a goal in the wrong basket.


Basketball story in 6th grade:

We are at an away game. We were in the locker room. Sounds sensible so far. Somehow, when I was changing into my uniform, I sat on my glasses. Yes, they broke. Therefore, I could not wear them, see anything, or play basketball. Kind of a waste for me to even be there. The team proceeds to go out to warm up. I look up in the stands, and I spot my parents (reminder: my parents are old and have gray hair). I go right ahead with my story about breaking my glasses, and sure enough, the gray-haired folks I just told my whole story to, yep, not my parents, but one of my classmates grandparents! They could not help me, and I have no idea if they even felt sorry for me.

Then and Now:

Basketball was not my sport. In my family, 3 sisters and my brother all played basketball. As I got older, my brother taught me to like March Madness. I rooted for Duke back then, and I switched to the Kentucky Wildcats, since they were blue and white like the Welch Wildcats later in my March Madness addiction. I have been filling out brackets since high school. I can truly get into a game. From watching the girls play in Welch to March Madness over the years to watching freshmen basketball when I was cheer coach, I have watched basketball a good majority of my life. My family continued to love basketball over the Christmas break, and for fun, we played a 5 on 5 game with siblings, in-laws, and nieces and nephews. I discovered that my coach back way in 6th grade knew something I did not, I have no idea what to do on offense, except shoot. I was an expert at around the world and pig back in my day, but knowing an offensive play, well, I don't know the name, the motion, or even the route.

This past year, ironically, my daughter Paisley took up basketball as her sport. You would have thought that I was an expert, as I "coached" from the stands. Who knew that even getting near the basket in 2nd/3rd grade game is bonus? Fouls are not called, and walking is as common as fouls. It is more like a contact sport. Paisley definitely improved, and she gained confidence as she learned some skills. I am not sure if she will continue to play, but as of right now, she likes it. So far, she is NOT following in my footsteps, and for once, that is a good thing.