Champions!

(No need to read this in detail...but I wanted to document it for Cannon's sake...somewhere down the line...the details of this day could become really important.)

After having such a ridiculous experience playing basketball in North Ridgeville (6 out of 8 games ended up being on Sunday so Cannon didn't play much. His team ended up winning three games in a row on a Saturday - -beating the #1 ranked team -- and making it to the championship game which was then held on Sunday...so he missed out again), we signed Cannon up to play basketball in Strongsville. Had we known it started so late, we wouldn't have done it, as it overlapped with soccer and the start of baseball. Oh well, lesson learned.

Anyway...Cannon's new team really struggled at first. They had some really good players -- and they  knew they were really good players -- who basically tried to put on a "one-man-show." They were ball hogs. Things didn't start out so fun for the other boys. (Cannon being one of them.)

Things started to turn around a few weeks ago - -and the other boys started passing and playing more as a team. That being said, they still only won one game the entire season.

Yesterday, due to serious scheduling conflicts (3 soccer games --which culminated with the end-of-the-season family picnic, opening day baseball parade/pictures/home-run derby, baseball game, 1 birthday party, 1 Stake Women's Conference....AND one 12-hour shift at the police department which completely took Greg out of the picture as far as "help" was concerned), we were debating whether or not Cannon would even go to his basketball tournament. I knew I couldn't chauffeur the kids everywhere they needed to be by myself -- and I was hesitant to ask family for help. Cannon kept saying, "it's not like we're going to win...so maybe I shouldn't even go."

That attitude totally contradicts our feelings about committing to a team...and yet, I was leaning towards him not going as well. I felt that Brynnley and Kenzie needed to make their last soccer games - -since they had missed out last week due to Addysen's track tournament. The games all over-lapped in the morning so it simply was not possible for me to get them all where they needed to be.

(Sidenote: this is not a post about over-scheduled kids/families -- that is discussion for another day. I know there are strong opinions out there about that...and I have some of my own...but this just happened to be an insanely busy day.)

Thanks to Jennie, however, and her willingness to take on a 5th child yesterday -- Cannon made it to the tournament. (He missed the baseball parade and pictures but that was ok.) The game was scheduled for 8 am...and quite frankly, I will be honest...I fully expected they would be done by 9, therefore allowing me time to meet half-way at our normal "kid-exchange" point in between soccer games. After all, it was a single-elimination tournament.

I should learn to expect the unexpected.
 GAME #1
At 8:05 am, I got this text from Jennie: "C just had a good steal and then made 1 of 2 free throws....he's off to a good start."
And then at 8:30am "24 to 9 at half....winning."
I replied with, "Seriously winning? Oh no. If they win...they play again. :) That will really screw up my schedule." 
At 8:34am "BTW...C is playing well...good d and rebounding and a couple of steals...and oh my...he just drained a 3 and made a layup:) 31 to 9 now."

They had their first victory of the day.

At 9:15 - GAME #2 "C says just make sure A brings home his medal (from soccer -- since he would be missing his last game.)...12 to 6 7 mins to go....winning. :) C just drained another 3!"

And so, they won again. Of course, I was happy for them...but I was stressing about everything else we had going on. Continuous winning had not factored in when I planned our very delicate scheduling balance. Lucky for me...and for Cannon...we are blessed with incredible family members who are willing to help out - -whenever and wherever -- especially on the days when Greg is working.


At 5:15pm - Game #3 -- We arrived at half-time to watch the rest of Cannon's game. They were playing well -- although it was a nerve-wracking game as the lead fluctuated back and forth between both teams. Shortly after the girls and I arrived...in walked the entire Beard family - -ready to cheer on and support their cousin/nephew once again. I sure hope my kids appreciate the show of support they get from aunts/uncles/grandparents, etc....because it is something that many kids don't even get from parents.
At first, I wasn't quite sure what I wanted the outcome to be. Of course, it was such a memorable day for the boys -- I wanted to see them make it all the way to the championship game. And yet, since they'd started the tournament ranked 10th or 11th out of 12 teams...there would certainly be no shame in placing third! I was still trying to figure out whether or not we'd make it to Cannon's baseball game - back in North Olmsted by the start time of 6:30 (he missed the warm-ups).
And then, the game just got to be too exciting. It would be a heart-breaker for someone either way - -but how could I hope for anything BUT a win for Cannon's team?
Another victory was in the cards... and they beat an undefeated team by 2 points in the final seconds.

That, however, created another scheduling dilema...or at least, so we thought.

As it turned out, the championship game was scheduled for 7pm at Strongsville High School. There was no way we could make it back and forth between Strongsville and North Olmsted. Cannon had to choose: stick around for the championship game and be a no-show to baseball....or dessert his basketball team and show up for baseball. By this point, he was utterly exhausted. He had a terrible headache, an aching heel and blisters on his feet...and one really stinky uniform.

He was more than ready to be done with basketball.

And yet, as we pointed out to him...his basketball team had a really good system in place. The coaches had strategized a combination of players who worked really well together. It might throw off the balance if he left. We also pointed out that it isn't just everyday that you get to play in a championship game -- of any kind -- and especially to be the Cinderalla Story and come in as the underdog.

Somewhat reluctantly, he opted to stay for the basketball game. I gave him a couple of Advil and some Starbursts and told him to take it easy for a few minutes before we headed over to the high school. I called Greg and told him that Cannon would not be making their baseball game (he and his dad coach Cannon's team.)

7:00 - Game #4 - The game against another undefeated team began. Only two weeks or so ago, this team dominated Cannon's team -- and they lost by at least 20 points. (I thought it was more - -Cannon thought it was less...who knows...but we got killed.) Again, the lead went back and forth several times...but the bottom line was....we won!

Talk about a day to remember.

Four games in one day made for some very excited (and smelly) 10-12 year-old boys -- who came in as severe underdogs...who went on to defeat not one, but two undefeated teams...and bring home the championship. WOW.

Obviously, this is a really long post. And no doubt, very few are still reading at this point. But for those naysayers who think sports are more hobby and waste of time than anything else...I stand by my belief that great life lesson's can be learned from participating in sports.

Sometimes, we simply can't do it on our own. We need the help and support of a "team" -- whatever that team might be -- to make it and succeed.

Quitting isn't an option. Even when it's all you really want to do. Even when your head hurts and your feet hurt and...as the case may be in life...your heart hurts. Quitting is not an option.

Other people depend on you -- and your actions impact others. Cannon wasn't the "star" of the team...but it was obvious that his coach and teammates truly valued his contribution. It's not always about who scores the most points...on the court...or in life.

You can accomplish anything. The impossible can become possible. Sure, it's hard...and often the odds are stacked against us...but we can accomplish anything we put our minds to. (I loved that Cannon's 15-year-old assistant coach said this in his "speech" to the boys after the game. He said, "I'm so proud of you. I know personally how hard it is to play 4 games in one day. But NEVER FORGET THIS DAY. YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING. Anything you ever want to do -- remember this day and know that you can do it."

Last night, Cannon said, "This was one of the greatest days of my life," and, "I just don't want this day to end." Arguably, as an 11-year-old boy, he will likely have lots of great days ahead. Do I think that he really "gets" it all right now? Of course not. Sure, some might say it's just a rec league basketball game. But, if the memory of this day...and some of the lessons that can be learned from it will stick with him...all the scheduling hassles and stresses on my end will be well worth it.

We can plan and prepare and try to provide all kinds of learning opportunities for our kids.

But, as we all know...some things just have to be experienced.