Bumfrog Update

Between football and basketball, most days I don't know if I'm coming or going. Football is a HUGE commitment, whereas Colby's AAU team is more my style. Two practices a week, with a tournament on Saturday. This kind of a schedule I can handle. Basketball is going really well for Colby. This team is what we have been looking for him to play on since he was 8. He has learned a lot from the other teams and organizations he's played with, but nothing like he's learned in the last two months. I can't believe how much his skills have improved (girls only want to date guys with good skills. I say this line to Colby a lot!).

Colby on the court.

Colby loves, loves, LOVES his coach. He is a really great guy! Patient but firm and has really high expectations. In all the coaching I've watched, I have learned this is really a hard combination to come by but when a coach has it, the players on his team can do amazing things. I will have to take a picture of where they play and practice, it's pretty interesting. They practice in the middle of a cherry orchard in a huge shed that has been built around an old Pacers NBA basketball court. If you were driving by, you would never know in that shed it's a basketball court with all the equipment you could ever want to become a better player. It has been built and funded by a family in our area, the Gotelli's, who raise cherries, nuts, etc., and just happen to be big basketball fans.

Some of the shed (aka gym) where they play and practice.

There have been mostly practices so far. Colby had one tournament two weekends ago, which they won. They blew the other teams out of the water! Much different than when he was playing for the Mavericks. The coach invited Colby to play with the 8th graders this last weekend in a tournament in Sacramento, but Colby had committed to helping one of his friends complete his Eagle project, so he didn't play. He came home from practice walking three feet off the ground over the coach even inviting him to play on the team above him!

Colby at the free-throw line.

It was really great to watch Colby and the whole team together put in to use all the skills they have learned. Colby is a great player! Very patient, doesn't have to be the star of the team, and has a mean defensive game.

Colby now stands a little taller than I do, I'm 5'7". It was a sad day for me, a victorious day for Colby once he was finally taller. I have been measured more these last few months than I ever have in my entire life with Colby hoping that he had surpassed me. I also just purchase a new pair of baskteball shoes for him, size 10.5. He is obsessed with basketball shoes! He turned 13 on Saturday (more to come on that). I have to go now and cry into my pillow over my baby turning into a teenager. Where has the time gone?