I asked the question to myself as opposing players were introduced at a junior high boy's game. The host team only had five players total. As farms get bigger and families get smaller, population decline in rural areas creates interesting dynamics in schools. Two of the players on the team were girls.
Soon it was evident that the opposing point guard- pony tail and all- was an athlete. Her crossover kept defenders off balance and her passes to team mates were crisp, although most times they quickly passed it back to her. She had the best shot on the team, maybe on both teams.
The game was lopsided early, but there was an element of suspense. How would she hold up for four quarters?
I've used this space before to highlight how small schools are good for kids because each one is known and valued. Obviously a basketball team with only five members must value each kid, regardless of ability. But this extends beyond the team and even beyond the school.
Small communities are great about knowing and valuing each other's kids. You want your school to come out on top, but over the course of the seasons you get to know the names on the other rosters pretty well, and you wish them the best too.
This game was the perfect example. Throughout the game both teams' fans held their breath each time the point guard shot. Late in the game when it looked like she might be injured after a collision, both sets of fans expressed concern and applauded when she resumed play.
With less than a minute left, the Norborne Pirates led by more than thirty. The point guard had scored all but one of her team's points. As the final second ticked off the clock she threw up a three pointer. When it fell through the net, she was the game's leading scorer.
Everyone applauded.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment