If you have never experienced small town basketball, you should. It’s like no other. It’s a community event and gathering.
Tonight’s kick off of the season was 30 miles away in the gym my mother-in-law grew up in and where Nathan played against his cousins…back in the 80’s and 90’s. His cousin Kevin is now the head coach for the opposing and home team tonight.
Our teenager, Hunter was relaxed and played well in the JV game. He’s just an 8th grader and was a nervous boy tonight for his first night of high school basketball.
When he got in for his first time ever into the varsity game, our neighbor and friend Danny was by his side with the other teammates. His nerves showed but he got through it and made a basket at the end of the 3rd quarter.
Going into the 4th quarter, our Mustangs were down by one point to the home team Rebels. But the Rebels went on a run and we struggled. We lost.
Baby Ally is our kids’ second cousin. She and her brothers are the kids only cousins we have nearby and our good friends. Despite our disappointment in the loss, Baby Ally was happy her daddy’s team won.
My in-laws visited after the game with Uncle Dale and their cousin.
My dad found a friend too. It’s the beauty of small town basketball. Even though we lost, we stood around with the opposing team’s coach and fans to visit.
What a fun game!
Have a happy WW!
Verena
This post brought back so many memories! Especially the part at the end when he called his great-grandpa…my grandparents didn’t go to our games but they LOVED to hear about them and may have even paid some people (my sisters) for the baskets they made each game! Enjoy the season!
Oh, how I miss Class B basketball. My brother and his wife chose to build their home in a smaller town rather than the city so their kids would be in a smaller school.
One of my fondest memories of small-town basketball is what happened after our elementary school and gym burned to the ground on Christmas Eve of 1987. The next town over, always our biggest rivals, offered us the use of their gym for practices and games for the rest of the year. Kids from that school are still my friends today. The sense of community is real.
Enjoyed the post.
Mike and I are so proud of you Hunter! We have your schedule posted in the kitchen–planning to come east when we can. Love you!
How fun! I’m looking forward to that kind of a community once L starts playing sports.
i do miss living in my hometown sometimes. running into friends, family members, etc…
I grew up playing basketball where my mom visited with friends more than watched the game…ha! Can’t wait for my boys to start playing someday 🙂