Basketball in Full Swing

 

Ronin just started basketball season a few weeks ago. 

 

 

He's got an awesome coach who knows her stuff and pushes the boys to be better.

 

Sizing up his competition.

 

 

Connor hanging out with his friend and Rigdon. 

 

 

  

 

 

  

Sideline guidance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basketball Season...Done!

Well, it's about time I posted something about basketball, seeing how the last games for the season wrapped up a week ago.  Connor and Ronin both played this year. 

Ronin had a fun time . . . .obvious isn't it? 

Ironically enough, both Connor and Ronins' had identical jersey numbers this year . . . the number five.   This came in handy many times when we had trouble finding one jersey, we just grabbed the other one.

I'm telling ya, this kid never ceases to entertain.

We lucked out this year with some great coaches for both of our boys.  One of them happened to be a friend of mine that I hung out in high school with - go Mike!

Grandma and Grandpa came to the games too.  We are always grateful for the support they show to their grandkids.

Connor had a good season too, although they didn't win many games.  Connor tends to always start out a little timid in the beginning , but as the season progresses he gets more assertive and can really be quite good.

My lanky boy.

Connor surprised us with a new skill this year as well.  He discovered the art of fouling.  He actually fouled out of one of the games, which is unheard of for him.  Compare that to last year when he wouldn't dare make any kind of contact with the other team.  I think this was due to the fact Grandpa had taken him to a few high school games and he noticed how rough the players were with each other.    I have to say I was proud to see this new aggressive side to him only because it's so against his tender nature off the court.

I like this shot.

Finishing up the last game with his friend and teammate, McCade . . . . and a ton of treats in hand.

As much as I enjoy watching our boys play and grow each year, it's also nice to see it all come to an end too.  All of a sudden, a few of my evenings and Saturdays have now cleared up from practices and games.  With everything else going on in our lives, it's nice to have a few less things to remember to do.

Dribble, Dribble, Dribble.

Yep, basketball is now in full swing for two of our three boys.  It's where we spend a few hours of our time every Saturday.

As I mentioned before, this is Ronin's first year playing.  Looks pretty happy, doesn't he?  

Even with his lack of game experience, I've discovered that Ronin is a bit of a natural at basketball.  His basic skill are a work in progress but he gets the game and has a drive for it.

Of course, you wouldn't know that if all you saw were the times I took him over to the church gym to get in a little extra practice time.  He wasn't exactly an ecstatic jumping jelly-bean.  In fact, I would often get the frustratingly tearful "I CAN'T Do It Ronin" and then later during that same practice, I would experience the "I ALREADY know how to do it so that means I DON'T have to practice" tantrum. 

However, once he steps onto the court for a game he's completely different...he's confident, aggressive, and all smiles.

During his first two games, he made most of his teams' shots.  He told me before his very first game that his goal was to make 20 or 100 baskets...I told him to go for it.  By darn, I am pretty sure he made close to twenty baskets his first game!  (They don't keep score at this level, so it's hard to know the exact amount.)   Nevertheless, I was proud of him!

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Connor's enjoying his season as well.  The more he plays, the more I can tell how comfortable he's getting with handling the ball and getting into the game.

Yes, I am aware that I need to get this kid some basketball shorts, some basketball shoes would probably come in handy too.  It one of those things that is still on my to do list...I'm gonna try and get to that today.  *finger's crossed*

Swish!

Ronin is playing basketball for the first time this year.  Tonight he had his first practice with his teammates.  He was pretty happy about it.

Going over the rules of the game.

I love it when I see Ronin sticking his tongue out like that, it means he's concentrating really hard.  He's been doing that since he was a baby.  Rigdon does the very same thing.

Have I ever mentioned how crazy, silly this boy is?

Ronin is really happy to be on the same team as his buddy, Jed (I know, ironic.)

Here's to a fun season ahead of lot's and lot's of basketball! Connor is playing too, so that means double the fun on everything.