scrimmages, practices and games

Two weeks ago, SJ had two scrimmages. His games (or scrimmages in this case) have been scheduled for 4:30. I work until 4:30, so I am lucky to see just a few minutes of the end of the game. I did make it to see the last three minutes. When I walked into the gym, he was on the court. I sat down in the bleachers and watched. He appeared to not know what was going on. It almost reminded me of when he was very small and played soccer. He was looking up at the ceiling more than paying attention to the action on the court. They didn't win the scrimmage, but I was proud that he was out there.


On the way home, I talked to SJ about my observation. He was complaining that no one passed the ball to him. I explained that it is hard to get a ball passed to you when you are no where near the net and you are looking at the ceiling. I suggested that he watch some YouTube videos on basketball to see how the players interact on the court. He didn't respond, but he is 13.


I didn't make the other scrimmage, since it was an away event. They lost again and SJ told me that he played "some" during the game. I was hopeful that he would get to play at the following week's game, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was just a bench warmer.


On Saturday, he had a two hour practice. Of course, he was complaining about going. "It is so early in the morning, Mom," said SJ. I told him he would be fine. He ate some pancakes and I dropped him off at the high school. My husband picked him up and I saw him when I got home from my hair appointment. He was all smiles. Apparently, the 8th graders scrimmaged the 9th graders and SJ had one heck of a three point shot. Later on, Bob confirmed that two of his friends, who are on the 9th grade team, said his shot was AMAZING. So awesome to hear.


This week, SJ had his first real game. On Monday, they had an away game. Neither I nor my husband could attend that game. They lost to the away team. SJ texted me on his bus ride back. It was a pretty sad text.

"I didn't have fun at the game."

"Because I didn't get to play in the game :("

Reading that text made my head fill up with multiple scenarios (none of them good). 1. He could be crying. 2. He could be yelling at the other players. 3. He could be yelling at Mr. Hooper, the coach. When SJ got home, I asked him about the game. He was crying as he was asking me to email Mr. Hooper to ask why he didn't put him in the game. I tried to explain to him that Mr. Hooper can only have 5 players on the court at once and some of those other players have been playing a LONG time. I told him to keep practicing and hopefully the practice will make him better. "When you are better, you will get more playing time," I told him. I asked him if he was crying on the bus. He said no (hopefully that is true) and he said the Mr. Hooper apologized to him between the 8th and 7th grade games.

Yesterday, he had his first home game. I arrived when there was a little less than 5 minutes remaining. He was on the bench, but he seemed fine. I could see he was trying to get Mr. Hooper's attention to be put it. They were down 20 some points, so it wouldn't have mattered if he put some of the weaker players in at that point. SJ got in with 60 seconds left. He seemed much more engaged than at the last game. He was running with purpose. I could hear Mr. Hooper giving him direction and SJ was following his directions. He did get the ball once. He passed it to Topher, but unfortunately Topher's shot did not make it. SJ was all smiles when he came out of the gym.

On the way home, I talked to him about the game. He told me what I had missed and that he had been trying to get Mr. Hooper to put him in. He didn't seem to care that he only played for 60 seconds. He only cared that he got to play some basketball.