Basketball season was the easiest it's ever been this year! Rosie and Jane were stacked on teams with the same coach (so back to back practices and games), and Ben and Eleanor were also stacked with the same coach. (same deal). This made our lives sooooo much easier this year.
Jane's team ended undefeated:
Rosie's team did very well moving up into the 8U division and won most of their games. Rosie was their high scorer.
Ben's team also ended undefeated:
And Eleanor's team also did great, winning several games, and also having several girls completely new to the sport!
Jane's basketball team was invited to play in the halftime game of a W&M women's basketball game. She was so excited. Right before the game they had a sports clinic for kids where they were able to try several different sports: field hockey, cheer, volleyball, dance, lacrosse, and soccer. They loved meeting all the women athletes:
Women in sports clinic:
Then Jane's team played in the halftime game. She got to do the jump ball. They were down several players so two younger sisters (including Rosie) got to dress out for the game just in case not enough girls showed up. Much to Rosie's chagrin, five girls were available. She still got to sit on the bench but didn't play.
They also loved getting on the jumbotron! Halftime clips:
And last but not least, and video of knockout from basketball practice. Rosie took on Jane and won for the first time. They're both good shooters:
Basketball season was long this year! Due to lots of canceled games and practices due to snow, it didn't end for everyone until March 11th!
Jane got her #23 again - Lebron Jane! She played for the Captains this year and they had a great team, losing only 2 games, but also having many close ones.
One particularly close game ended with Jane scoring some game winning free throws:
Ben's team, the Pacers, didn't have their best season. Ben is still learning how to go after the ball and make sure he's getting rebounds, but he enjoyed playing.
Rosie's team, the Fever, was pretty dominant this year and won all their games except for the last, which they tied. She had a great time, and was potentially the high scorer for her team.
Some of Rosie's baskets:
Eleanor's team, the Panthers, also did great, winning most of their games! Eleanor came out of nowhere this year being a pretty awesome defensive player. She scored 6 points in her first game, and a few points in most games after that, but was great on defense, even against girls twice her size.
Jane's team had the opportunity to play at half time of a W&M Women's basketball game. Jane scored two points! The team had a great time and celebrated their season with pizza and ice cream at Meadows.
We went to the William & Mary Gold Rush game the other week. It is always a special game as they honor W&M Basketball alumni on the court. Additionally this year, Coach Shaver came back for the first time. It was so special and sweet to see him (and for me to see Kelly and her kids). We were in the end zone area with other basketball alum.
Chris' mom was in town to look at a house and she came, too.
Rosie (and Jane) in the jumbotron - Rosie was jumping and waving her flag the entire time!
The Shavers:
The men's basketball alumni:
They also ended up winning the game which made it very special.
All the kids played basketball this winter. It was Ben and Rosie's first seasons and Eleanor and Jane's second.
Eleanor was on the Monarchs. Chris ended up coaching her team kind of unexpectedly, but they ended the season undefeated!
Jane was on the Lynx. She also had an amazing season and ended undefeated (though her last game was a tie).
Ben was on the Mavericks and had a great time with his buddies.
Rosie was on the Dream and also had a great time! Chris ended up co-coaching her team, too, as her coach ended up being one of his buddies.
One of Jane's buckets (she scored 8 of the team's 25 points in this game):
Eleanor on the free throw line:
Ben holding court with Jane's team:
Jane throwing in and getting set for her first tip off:
Ben's team:
Ben's first point scored:
Coach Anne came to watch the girls play one night!
Rosie scored a few times this season! Sadly I didn't get them on video, but she was very excited about the time she got to do the tip off! Much room for improvement, but she loved it!
Eleanor had been making some good progress but none of her shots were falling until she scored 5 points in one game!
Overall it was a great season all around. The kids really enjoyed it, though the schedule was a big headache for us. Hopefully if they all play again we can get a slightly better schedule!
