THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE BASKETBALL SEASON

OLIVIA AND HER HOOPS - NOT BE CONFUSED WITH HER RAINBOW LOOM HOOPS.

 

 

 

 

This year's basketball season was up and down just like the dribbling of a basketball.

Olivia's first year playing b-ball started with a lot of excitement. Mid season was a drag (literally). But, by the final game the excitement was back up there it was the high point of the year. 

Just like Elliott and his hockey season, there were a lot of life lessons learned on the court. Olivia perfected her pre-event preparation by always getting her special basketball clothes out and ready hours before having to leave. It also became clear that Olivia does not like the same sort of fanfare that typically accompanies the kid's sport - a benchload of fans cheering for her is not her thing. And, as with many things in life she is slow to warm up to new things. The first few months of basketball saw her lay back and get a feel for the game, the next few months saw progressive involvement, and then the last game saw a full on commitment. She learned that actually getting in there and being competitive was enjoyable. She also found a new sport that she is good at, confident in, and wants to improve in. After her Pete Peterson League finished she continued on playing more ball by joining the basketball team at school.

 

Libby shoots...

 

Libby guards...

 

Libby rebounds...

Parent lesson learned - Sports mean different things to different kids. They have different motivations, reactions, and passions. Even as a quasi expert basketball player, parents do not always need to give out unsolicited advise or analyze the game. Sometimes it's best not to talk about the game on the ride home. Start with 'how do you feel you did?' then go from there. Some days it will end with a 'fine' and sometimes it will last a little longer.

One fun fact the parent's learned - You can make it from The Place Under The Pine to the court (downtown) in 9 mins if you hit every single green light.