He shoots. He Scores! The Sixers win. The Sixers win the Safety Harbor 9 to 10 year-old championship. Well, it sounds great when I hear my son shout it as he drives to the hoop outside my window. Of course he misses the lay-up. So he repeats the chant over and over until he makes a shot … and the crowd goes wild.
In truth, the Sixers have yet to win a game, but ...
I'm not complaining because they've come a long way. And no one has come further than Colter. A couple of seasoned players on the team must be very frustrated, but they haven't picked-up their games much since the season started. Most of the other kids have never played B-Ball before, so every accomplishment is a big one. Some of the larger, slower kids are now sinking hoops off of offensive rebounds, in fact "S" was the leading scorer last night, as she sank one in each quarter. Everyone on the team has scored during a game. Everyone, that is, except for Colter. So how can I say that he is the Sixers' most improved player?
The other kids have learned to shoot, or to dribble a little, or get a rebound, but Colter … Colter has learned it all. Our defense does its best when he's in there, and now he can bring the ball up court without turning it over. He's making rebounds, and chasing down loose balls, and he's the only kid out there who uses bounce passes to elude the opponents' lightning quick reach. Last night on the bench, Colter showed the coaches some plays he thought might work. No other kid on the team would dream of such a thing.
Colter's team may or may not win one of their next five games, but they are learning about basketball. They're learning the whole game, including sportsmanship, and teamwork, and for that we can thank the coaches. His coaches are great, rewarding hard workers, and the kids who show up on time, more than just the kids who score. His coaches stress teamwork and individual growth, and most of all they stress trying hard and having fun.
Colter may or may not sink a basket this year, but between his coaches stressing good values, and Colter's learning the meaning of commitment, this is already is a winning season.
UPDATE 6/25/05:
Colter scored twice and his team played great. They still haven't won, but this week they were only down by two baskets against the toughest team in the league. I smell a victory, right around the corner.
Thanks Coach Kendall and Coach Dave ... and Go SIXERS!
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