Jimmy had basketball state last weekend and I wish I could raise the victory flag, but, alas, the boys did not do well. In part, they were down to 7 kids since one tore his ACL in the game in Rochester (ouch!) and one of those 7 had a broken thumb. It was all tapped up but everytime he took a shot we all cringed. He just didn't have the right touch. The boys played typical Hopkins Basketball, aggressive and a bit risky. It did not pay off. Jimmy played some great defense with rebounds, guarding and hustle but you still need points on the board and we had a VERY hard time getting our balls through the hoop. We were throwing rocks and rushing it.
The good news in all of this, because they went 3 for 3 (loses that is), they didn't have a game on Saturday night and were able to head downtown to see the Hopkins Boys High School team win BIG at the state tournament. They had a blast and it was fun to hear their stories when they got back. Tom and I watched the 1st 1/2 of the game from the local bar and the 2nd 1/2 at home. Turns out the high school team has many of the same plays we do (Oklahoma!!) and there seems to be a "Hopkins" style of play, as I mentioned. Aggressive, fast and risky. But, it pays off for the high school kids, I think this was their ninth state tournament. They are a force to be reckoned with and many of the players have division 1 offers.
After the game, the dads hung out at the fire and swapped stories, reliving the glory days. It was all fun and games until the girls got home. (Kay was at a bat mitzvah and 3 of her friends came home with her to spend the night). Needless to say, I got a glimpse of our very near future. 2 of Kays friends could NOT leave the boys alone. Yikes, we are going to have to watch out for this:) The boys on the other hand were too cool for school.
On top of all the state basketball hype Jimmy had baseball try outs and spring basketball try outs this weekend as well. Baseball seemed to go well, he hit every ball, caught every pop fly, threw a 71 mph pitch and walked out with a big smile on his face. Call backs were last night and that was a bit different. They didn't have him hit or field or pitch. He spent most of the night catching for the kids that were hitting/pitching and I think that was a fill in role, not an official try out role. But, they did have him throw from home to 2nd a # of times so...maybe they were evaluating him. Hard to say and he's not sure how he did. He's desperate to be on AAA and is being a typical stubborn 14 yr old in saying that if he doesn't make AAA he's not going to play. Enter spring basketball try outs.
The AAU has a spring basketball league and its where many of the high school players hone their skills. Jimmy fell in love with basketball at whole new level this year and isn't ready to give it up. The try outs were odd. Because of the state tournament, not many kids showed (this was the 1st of 3 try outs). He got an offer to play but now .....
As you can imagine, baseball conflicts with basketball. What to do?! Trying to figure out if he'll know if he made AAA before he needs to commit to basketball. Best case, he made AAA and we go with 1 sport for the spring - baseball. Worst case, he makes AA and we have to do some sort of compromise that he can play basketball if he stays in AA this year as a bridge to 9th grade baseball. We'll see. I want him to be able to play 3 sports as long as he can, (ie: not give up baseball) especially since kids get pushed to specialize so young but... its also a ton more running around.
We'll see....
Next up, TKD tournament in Iowa Saturday followed by Kay's State Gymnastics tournament Sunday.
Check back for updates:)
Jimmy is always the 1st to the warm up - this time with Seth
Good reminders
on the D
Last second shot, it didn't go in
hustle
