Like Mike

Arrived at the gym ready to play. All the boys showed up and geared to battle our rivals from last year, the Mabton Vikings. Like us, Mabton moved up to the higher divisions, like us Mabton struggled, lost games, and probably like us, they questioned themselves wondering if they really had the skills to run with the big boys.

We had the boys arrive 90 minutes prior to tip off so they could shoot and get loose. Our last team practice on Wednesday ended on a sour note. Antonio did a vicious foul on Oscar and what made it worse is that these boys are good friends. Eduardo was mad and he mentally checked out of the scrimmage. Christopher became frustrated and was just throwing up crazy shots. Mr. Martinez and I were sitting on the bleachers shaking our head and saying things didn't look good. Here we are fighting to stay alive and civil war is erupting and the ranks are in disunion.

But this morning, the before the games, things looked good, The boys were laughing, making shots, and ready to roll. About half an hour before the game, we called them into Mr. Martinez's room for a pregame talk. We reminded them that we needed a win. We reminded them that Mabton was coming to fight. We reminded them that they had the skills to compete and that they needed to make a statement that they belong. As the boys stretched out, Mr. Martinez played the song Basketball by Lil Bow Wow. And as the boys prepared eleven voices sang along. Then we hit the gym ready to play.

Then we waited and waited and Mabton never showed. No call explaining why, nothing. Just my eleven boys ready and waiting. About twenty minutes after the original time, we divided the boys into two team, and they had a scrimmage.

Oscar and Antonio did not disappoint. They pulled off a give and go complete with a behind the back pass, Jesus made a three-pointer as did Tony, Christopher played exceptional defense, Caedyn put up a few good shots that just didn't fall, and Eduardo showed promise as a point guard.

Next week we head to Wapato ready to play and make a statement that we belong.