basketball, when you are thirteen

this post is a much better depiction of how i spend my time.  both boys played winter basketball; both boys are currently playing spring basketball.  i live at the rec center.  two practices a week (lucky us, they are back-to-back - which means date night Fridays!), plus at least two games each week.

Joseph has mainly played soccer, but he's had another go at basketball this year.  his team has done quite well this season; playoffs start in a week.  for the game today, on a holiday weekend, they had just five players - exactly what you need on the court.  Samuel's had a couple of games like that, and Mike gave a good description of it....basically like running a 5K while engaging in gladiator-style battles every five paces.

Joseph pre-game.

agreeing on the rules of engagement.

Joseph made a nice shot during the warm-up.

a chance at the free throw line.

Joseph and another of the older players (the group is ages 11-13) got the ball down court on just about every play.  it was exhausting to watch, as you can imagine.  don't know how i did it.

 most of my photographs during their basketball games look like this.

strike one:  we're inside.

strike two:  they're moving really fast.

strike three:  i guess i could blame the camera.

with a bench just five players deep (the other team had nine boys), it was a tough game.  but they never game up!  (the score ended up being something like 40-25).

Joseph in-bounds the ball.

Joseph is great at rebounds and defense.

Joseph post-game.

 as tired as he was, i think he was pleased

to have played the entire game

& made some shots.

Samuel's game is Thursday night, so you know where i'll be.