Another Round of Basketball

You can just thank your lucky stars that this is the last basketball post of the season. And aren't you glad that city league basketball is only 8 weeks long, as opposed to Pop Warner football, which lasts pretty much an eternity? Oh wait, I should say age group swimming lasts an eternity, because there is no off season in swimming. Those dang coaches want the kids in the pool every single day. It's enough to wear a mom out.

Speaking of Pop Warner, just when you thought it was over, it rears its head again. We got a little information in the mail today. Something about a Little Scholar we have living at our house. More about that later.

Okay, back to b-ball.

What we had was a close game in the first half. Then the opposing team decided (very wisely, for their own sakes) to press, and unfortunately, that did us in. Ball handling is not exactly our strength. Okay, well, neither is passing or shooting or rebounding for that matter, but hey, it's a developmental league and the kids are 6th graders, so we'll cut 'em a little slack...this time.

So, without any further ado, here are your Mustangs. Number 16 is our man.

Where to Begin

Well, when you walk away for a week or so, it's kinda hard to get your groove back. To be perfectly honest, I'm not really sure where to start. I've got basketball games, birthday parties, trophies, ribbons, state championships, pinewood derby, and a host of crafty stuff to share with you. Because, you see, although I was away from blogger I wasn't exactly sitting on my tushie eating bonbons all day.

I have 726 pictures to offload from my camera. Lucky for you, I'm only going to show you 725 of them. For no particular reason, because it certainly isn't chronological, we will start at the pool.

Arizona Age Group State Championships, Short Course (that means yards instead of meters for the swimspeak illiterate)

Here we have some fine examples of the backstroke. No one particularly related to us, just practicing with the camera on some unsuspecting team mates.

Okay, now here's the little brother making ready for the 50 fly.

just breathe

And here he is again, getting ready to take off on the 50 free. If it seems rather chaotic behind the blocks, that would be because it is. Chaotic, I mean.

Breathing on the 50 free is overated, I say. Don't breathe. Just swim. Really fast.

Disclaimer: I'm not a swim coach. Don't take your coaching tips from me. I don't want anyone passing out in the pool doing lungbusters, so breathe if you must.

Only 713 more pictures to go.

Upsie Daisie

We set the bar high around here.

And we don't tolerate any goofing around.

Nope. This is serious business.


Up

and

over
Okay, well, he didn't quite make it over on those last few.

But he did vault a new personal record!

Murdelated

This game happened last Saturday. I'm still getting over it. Let's just say the Pirates we are not.

I'm not even going to tell you the score, because I'm trying to erase it from my memory. This Saturday we play the best team in the league. Thank goodness Brian will be at camp. As you can see, I haven't mastered the indoor high speed action shot. If I could just convince those silly boys to stand still, I could take much better pictures.

B Ball Skillz

You know what comes after football season...right?

Yeppers, it's time to hit the boards.
Now this is a sport I understand.

You know, having played it and all.

Okay, well I played rather badly, but I played. As did my dad and brothers. So when I get in a gym and hear the sound of sneakers squeaking on a glossy wooden floor, it all comes back to me.
I can even cheer in a somewhat intelligent fashion.

Here is my baby gettin' all aggressive. Oh yeah, this is my ball and you can't have it.

Now, I spent all fall learning how to follow a football game with my camera. You know, anticipating the play, framing the shot, catching the action. I figure I'm one step ahead of the game for basketball season in that I have some sense of the game. However, most of my pictures turned out really crappy and unfocused. So back to the drawing board. It looks like I'll be spending another season improving my skillz.

This next picture happened completely by accident, but I kind of like how it turned out!

Basketball Love

Today was an unusual Valentines Day for us. No hearts. No candy. No flowers. Instead, we had basketballs.

Giant ones.

Plushie ones.


Here Brian shows off his skillz. It was just a little warm up for him, prior to his game.
In case you haven't figured it out, we attended the NBA Jam Session, thanks to our very generous neighbor who was working the event. Brian and I had to cut out a little early so he could make it to his own game. He was a little disappointed to leave, but as I pointed out to him, some people just watch the game and other people actually play it.

Here he is winning a round in the skills competition.


The event was held at the Phoenix Convention Center. Unfortunately, the vendors didn't bring in their dollar menus.
We opted to wait for dinner--8 bucks for a chicken nugget meal! I don't think so.

As we were walking through the convention center, I spotted a crowd of people with their cell phones and cameras flashing. Being the intrepid investigative journalist that I am, I felt the need to ummm, well...investigate...intrepidly.

We pushed into the crowd, snapping away. See all the security? Can you spot the celebrity? I'll give you a little hint. He's got a bling of a ring.
And a rock in his ear.

Figured it out yet? Yeah, well we're so unhip, we had to ask. Because that's what investigative journalists do when they're in a pinch. They ask. So, I'm here to report (intrepidly, of course) that Busta Rhymes made an appearance at the Jam Session.

Now, this guy I know. I mean I know who he is. I don't actually know him. But if I saw him I wouldn't have to ask.