JAM Basketball

For the better part of my life I was a die hard basketball player.  I ate, slept and breathed basketball.  Played a little University ball but then slowly my love for the game diminished.  Upon reflection almost 10 years later I realize there were many reasons that led to my leaving the game.  Ultimately it just stopped being fun.  I was only playing because that's what I was supposed to do.  That's what I always did.  When I finally left the game, that's exactly what I did.  I must have gone almost 5 years without so much as touching a ball.  This past September I ran into an old coach at one of the LU basketball games.  John asked if I would help coach a club team with him.  Without thinking I just said yes and gave him my number.  I was quite surprised by my answer.  Well I had no idea what I was in for.  I never imagined my return to the game would involve a group of 10-14 year old girls.  Johnny D in his long history as a coach has always managed to have very special groups of young ladies.  This crew is certainly no different.  I was blown away at the skill and dedication these young girls displayed.  I had always been a player and never a coach.  This new role has certainly been a challenging one.  Slowly but surely as time goes by my basketball mind is coming back.  I keep trying to recall all the different situations I found myself in as a player and more importantly what was going through my mind in those situations.  Our head coach is truly the face of dedication and hard work.  Often misunderstood by those who don't know him, is probably one of the most caring and inspirational people I've met.  It's a pleasure to work and learn with him.  His ability to teach the facts of life through basketball is unparalleled.  Of course like any great coach he never asks for anything in return.  This past weekend our girls were playing in a tournament down in Guelph and came home with the gold!!  Unfortunately I was unable to attend due to obligations with school.  Being the great kids that they are last night at practice they presented me with a medal.  I found myself with a perma-smile listening to them replay the overtime period which ended in a 2 point victory.  For many of these girls this was the first intense competitive battle they experienced.  Funny how it's been almost 10 years since my last competitive game.  Yet I could emphasize with these girls as if I had played in the game with them.  Being a part of this team has definitely been one of my highlights this year.

 Gold Medal

 Bantom Girls

Major Bantom Girls