We come from generations of basketball players. Particularly small town basketball is in our family with me the only exception that didn’t play North Dakota Class B basketball. I was a Class A snob as my brothers tell me. But today I live and love small town, Class B basketball. Everyone plays. No one gets cut. The team brings the entire community together to watch home games. At the end of the season, my parents and our son diligently go to the State B boys basketball tournament no matter what town’s team is in it. Our favorite times are when all of us can attend together as a basketball family and as North Dakota State B fans.
Our son is the next generation of the small town basketball players in our family. He plays for the school my husband did, across the Missouri river from where my dad played high school basketball in Fort Yates, North Dakota and three hours south of where my siblings all played in Northwood, North Dakota.
Our most frequent winter family activity is to attend Hunter’s games and cheer him on win or lose.
He’s the big boy in the middle.
Sometimes the little guards steal the ball.
But our boy stands strong…
while we attempt to keep his most loyal and loving fans entertained…
by walking school halls and…
jumping stairs.
He shoots and he scores.
At times he is frustrated but what he doesn’t know that by his example…
he is instilling his work ethic and intensity to play in the next small town basketball player in our family.
We couldn’t be more proud of our multi-generational, small town North Dakota basketball family.
What’s a favorite family tradition of yours?
beautiful story – small town basketball.
That’s a wonderful tradition…
When is Huntley’s next game? Mike and I were just talking about how we want to come down to one. Can you email the schedule?
Beautiful post Sister!
Hmmm. Reading this post I totally remember what the gym smells like. Wow.
Yep, loved small town {{Minnesota}} basketball! 🙂
Grew up in the same type of community you are in right now! And LOVED it. I still get so into the game (even though I don’t know any of the players personally) that I get NERVOUS! Love the shots.
I grew up in a basketball family too. Everyone played, except me. I’m also the shortest in the family, that may or may not have something to do with it. I was the high school team scorekeeper instead which was fun because my dad ref’d some of the games. I luv basketball!
~Andrea~
Small town sports can just be the best. And, I love that little blue, polka dot skirt 🙂
I grew up in a wrestling family, but the loyalty and family togetherness is still the same. We would spend hours ( and days) each week cheering on my brothers and the team. I don’t think my dad has missed a MN State Wrestling tournament since he wrestled in it in 1976. While to some it might seem ultra competitive, sports are a great outlet for teens in small, rural towns.
Love the pictures.