Basketball ...we hate losing.

Jackson really got into basketball this year.  Like really.  I guess it helps that he was on the undefeated team.  So far ... in his three years of rec basketball he has consistantly been on the losing team.

Until this season ... I've never put much into what a coach could bring to a team.  I always assumed it was the people on the team who made the team successful.  Talent.  But I learned a big lesson through this season's basketball adventure.  They got a new coach.  Who knows how to coach.  What a difference ONE person can make.  These kids are the same.  There wasn't any new spectacular talent added.  Coach is key.  He believed in these boys.  And because he believed ... coached like he believed ... they believed in themselves.  It was so fun to watch.  Especially game after game of solid wins.  He gave them the team name of the "Welkers" ... like Wes Welker.  A bunch of short white kids.





So basketball being my favorite sport ... and Jackson loving the sport he's playing ... made going to and watching the game so enjoyable.  My hands sweat.  I yell.  I get excited.  A few "seriously??"'s slip out of my mouth directed towards the refs.  One of the best feelings ever is when Jackson gets a shot .. grins and looks for me.  That's right kiddo ... I'm here.  And proud.

And then the last game of the season came.  Lost.  Can't win em all I told him.  Inside ... I'm fuming.  He didn't take it as hard as I thought he would.  Not nearly as hard as I did.

But the play-off's were the next week. You would think the kid was going into the NBA finals and he was Kobe.  He had his game gear laid out the night before.  Water bottle ready.  "We can't be late - got it mom?  Set your alarm.  I mean it mom".  Got it Lebron.

And ... and ... and ... then we LOST!!!!  It was such an awful, horrible game.  Lost to the team who didn't have any wins.  Wha??  Add the fact that one of the kids only had one arm to play with.  I said that out loud.  With about 5 min left of the game .. Eli was sitting next to me saying things like "well mom .. doesn't look like they are going to win huh?  Nope mom.  They are losing.  Are you watching mom - cause they are LOSING"  SHUT UP KID!!!!  I was over the top irritated by the end of the game.

And Jackson ... wow ... Jackson.  He wouldn't speak.  Ran to the car.  Slammed the door to get in.  We started driving away and Eli says "what's wrong Jackson?  Are you mad?"
Jackson "Shut up and don't talk to me"
Eli "Well, now you sound like mom"
Jackson got out of the car ... slammed the door ... and started walking home.

WE HATE LOSING.  It sucks.  Competitive blood that runs through our veins.  We come to win.  If not, we certainly aren't going to be a good sport about it.

Congrats on a great season Jackson ... so so proud of you!

Great season ... great coaches ... GREAT game!