Basketball, Tournament Style

Aidan is playing on his school's JV basketball team.  JV is essentially a team composed of fifth and sixth graders.  While Aidan has played basketball before as part of our town's youth league, there is something about being on a team with his buddies that has made it click a little more for him.  He seems to be more invested in the sport this time around and that confidence is definitely showing when he plays in a game.

His team is almost finished with their season.  The coach operates under an equal playing time rule, but he definitely has grouped the players according to ability.  Aidan started on the C line, moved up to the B line, and then got some time playing on the A line.  We were all really proud of his progress.

This week, Aidan's team will have their first game in a two week tournament that is a big deal for his school.  His school is the host school and it is quite an event.  Before the first tournament game, all the parents received an email from Aidan's coach letting us know that as this is a tournament, most of the teams playing will only play their most competitive players.  Therefore, the coach has also decided that he will only play his most competitive players.  This means that some members of Aidan's team may not play very much, if at all.  The coach did not identify which players will play.

I got the email and read it to Chris.  I am going to be honest, I was pretty bummed about it. I understood the coach's decision and respected it, but as a parent, I was so proud of Aidan's progress that it was hard to think of him sitting the bench for the next two weeks of games.  But I know that it is important for kids to understand that if you want to play, you  have to work hard and show your stuff.  In life, there is no equal opportunity playing rules.  You have to fight.  You have to work your butt off.  And you have to want it.

Before the first tournament game, I let Aidan know about the coach's email so he understood that he may not play this time around.  I also told him that should he get the chance to play, he has to go all out.  He has to be aggressive.  He has to want the ball.  He has to show the coach that he deserves to be on that court.

Most JV games begin with little or no fanfare.  No music.   No announcements.  But as this was a tournament, the gym was filled with pre-game music as the players warmed up.  Then, an announcer invited the teams to line up so they could announce each player.  Aidan's team was announced first.  As the players were announced one by one, I saw Aidan near the end of the line of players.  Then the announcer yelled, "And Nativity's starting line up for tonight!"  The music swelled.  People cheered.  And the announcer announced the last five players for Aidan's team.

Aidan was on the starting line up.  I swear, he looked right up at me in the stands and just grinned as he ran onto the court to cheers after his name was announced.  My heart felt like it could burst from the sheer joy in his face in that moment.  It was his moment.  And I felt so blessed to be there to share in it with him.

Aidan played the entire game.   I couldn't believe it.   There was a play in the game when one of the other players tried to steal the ball from him and Aidan grabbed onto that ball like his life depended upon it.  His face was fierce.   He wanted that ball.   The mom sitting next to me commented, "Wow, look at his face!"

It was a new side to Aidan.  A new aggressive fierceness.

His team lost, but only by two baskets.  But after the game was over, Aidan ran over to Chris and me, sweaty and tired, but oh so happy.   And of course, the first thing he asked was if I saw that moment when the other team tried to steal the ball from him, but he refused to give it up.  I knew exactly what he was talking about.

I was so proud of my sweet little boy, who is learning a whole new side of himself.  It's a beautiful thing to get to watch and cheer on from the sidelines.