Looking Back

A few weeks ago, before the girls first basketball playoff game against Durham, I got pretty nostalgic and started writing down a few thoughts. Here they are:

Sitting here before the start of Lucy's first playoff game. This could be her last high school basketball contest. I can't help but think back to her third grade year. She and her sister Maggie played co-ed basketball. I was the coach, and our team was called the "Orange Crush". We had a lot of fun that year, and actually won most of our games. Thinking back I remember most how my two little girls looked out on the court. Sneakers and shorts, with orange t-shirts down to mid thigh. Blond hair in braids. They stood out on the court, looking a little shy, and a lot confused. Taking their cues from the other kids as to which way to run. They hardly ever got to touch the ball, and when they did they passed it as quickly as possible. The boys were much more advanced, and pretty much avoided passing to a girl if at all possible. I am not sure, but Lucy and Maggie probably didn't take more than a shot or two if any, all season. I taught all of the kids the most important thing you had to do to score, was "to take a shot". Most of the girls shot air-balls well short of the rim or backboard. At practice we played games like "monkey in the middle" to develop passing skills and reflexes. I worked hard to teach all the kids "good habits" at least. They might not master any of the skills for several years, but at least they were moving in the right direction.

After the season, Maggie decided basketball wasn't for her, and she devoted future winters to skiing. Lucy, well she decided on basketball. So it was on to 5th grade, and an all girls team. I volunteered my way onto the coaching staff. The other two "Dad" coaches didn't give me a specific role, so I focused primarily on Lucy making sure she understood the concepts, and giving her feedback on drills. I felt kind of guilty, so I made it a point to help other kids as well at practice. I was a "gopher" for the other two coaches, and did my best to help them out where I could. Lucy was a joy to work with! She didn't have the knack that some of the other girls had, but she showed an inner determination and desire to improve her ability on the court.

We worked a lot together at home on dribbling, free throws, and layups. After 8th grade, I emailed the man (Brian West) who would be her junior varsity coach during her freshman year in high school. I asked what Lucy and I could do to help prepare her for high school ball. "you can't go wrong with ball handling drills" he replied. So every chance we got, we would work on ball handling in the garage, on the driveway, and even in the house. Next year at JV try-outs, Brian commented on her improvement since 8th grade. "Wow! She must have really worked on her ball handling." And she had. Hard work became her trademark. She was always listening hard at practice, working hard to do it right. She had two tremendous years on JV. As a sophomore, she started winning awards and recognition. She made the go ahead free throw in the final seconds of one game. Despite her success, she has always had a tough time letting the recognition in. At the end of her sophomore year, she was moved up to varsity for the playoffs. She did great in three playoff games before losing to Durham (the team we are playing tonight). Her highlight was against arch rival Quincy. She scored 5 points and grabbed 5 rebounds as the Tigers clobbered the Trojans, 70 to 46. Wow, was I a proud Dad. Things looked bright for junior year.

Things don't always work out the way we think they will however. Lucy struggled her junior year. The team was wracked with drama as the coach moved up a freshman and a sophomore to join the slug of Juniors and seniors. By the end of the season, we were all glad to be done. Lucy wasn't sure she would even play as a senior. But after a successful volleyball season (she was selected as an all-league middle hitter) she decided to give basketball one last season. And what a season.

Lucy started on and off the entire season. Most of the time she was the "sixth player" and got quite a bit of playing time from the bench. At the beginning of the season, I decided to keep stats for the team. Not only so Lucy could see the concrete results of her efforts, but also so all the kids could gage their individual success. At the end of the season, Lucy was number one rebounder, and the team's number four scorer even though she wasn't in the starting five. This game tonight against Durham will be very tough. They are a very well coached team, and it looks like our star player is not going to play due to medical issues. We'll see how the team rises to this challenge.

Well, the book is closed on this game and Portola moves ahead in the playoffs! Lucy started, and the girls played very well together. Their defense was especially good. I think it is a real plus to have won this game without their leading scorer. I think the team learned something about themselves tonight. As far as Lucy's game, she was on fire. I have never seen her play better. She didn't score her highest, but her defensive play and rebounding were superb!

So I started this trip down memory lane thinking that I was about to witness my daughter's last high school game. Well, I was a bit premature. As those of you that follow my blogging know, the Lady Tigers went on after putting down Durham to whip Quincy, and qualify for the section championship by defeating number one seeded Colusa. The team then went down to the Hamilton City Braves in the title contest, and lost a close one to Vacaville Christian at home to end the season. So, five playoff games later, it ends, and a new part of the journey begins. Lucy has enrolled at Sonoma State University in psychology. She will be leaving home next August to take on this new challenge in life. I won't be there to watch over her, and make sure she understands the concepts and give her feedback on her efforts, I don't have to be. I think she'll remember that the most important components to success are to work hard and "take the shot!"

That's All!