Basketball Finals

The Elementary Intramural Basketball Finals were last night. Dane's team was competing for the championship. They play 4-on-4 and 2 10-minute halves. Though it's not quite a full-fledged basketball game, you'd never know it by watching these boys. They guard, dribble with both hands, weave in and out . . . generally, play like real basketball players.

We were excited about the championship, especially since Dane's team was playing. Don took off from work early so he could be there. We sat together in the stands critiquing the plays, rooting for Dane, and acknowledging good plays by both teams.

Dane's team played very well, but was one point down going into the last minute. With only 28 seconds left on the clock, Dane got the rebound, passed it to their dribbler, then headed down court to our basket. Ben (the appointed "dribbler") was heavily guarded, as was Dane, who was working hard to get into the open. Finally, Ben passed to another boy on the team who shot and missed. The opponent got the rebound.

We felt there was no chance. All they had to do was waste 15 seconds or so, since they were still one point ahead. I knew there was no hope for us.

But I should know by now to never say "no hope". The boy with the ball took a shot, missed, and Dane again got the rebound. With only 8 seconds left in the game, he passed to Ben and they headed down court. Ben moved slowly, as if he wasn't aware there were only seconds (less than 10) left on the clock. By the time he reached mid-court, the other team was all over him. It looked like time was going to run out with him still trying to find a clear shot or pass. Then, miraculously, he threw the ball high and out. Dane was standing at the perfect shot-distance from the basket and WAS COMPLETELY IN THE CLEAR!! The entire opposing team was guarding Ben. The ball fell neatly into Dane's hands who took a second, then shot a beautiful basket. As the ball cleared the basket, the buzzer sounded.

The stands went wild, including the spot where I was standing. Ben's father, Jimmy , looked down at me and Don, smiled and pointed in congratulations. I was thrilled beyond belief. Dane scored the final basket to win the game by one point in the final 3 seconds.

This morning, I stopped by the school office to take care of some business. The Elementary Administrative Assistant and the Middle School Principal/Athletic Director were standing in the office, talking with the secretary. When I walked up, she said,

"You're ears must've been burning. We were just talking about you."

"OH?" I asked.

"Well, Dane, anyway. Dennis was telling us about the game last night."

That's all they needed to say to launch me into my excited retelling of the events. I'm so proud of Dane. He kept his cool, played smartly, and won the championship for his team. I realize it took the whole team, but scoring that winning basket reminded me so much of the baseball game last summer (that I referenced above, next to Jimmy's name) when Dane pitched a no-run inning against his classmates' team. He's so quiet and unassuming, when he pulls off something like this, it's very unexpected and exciting.

Last night, after all the chores were done, I dropped in exhaustion on the couch and flipped on the T.V. Dane appeared around the corner in his pajamas.

"Mama, I'm too excited to sleep," he said. Join the crowd, my son.