Getting the opportunity to “play up” with an older group of kids is a good one IMO. Whatever the reason for playing up is, seeing how you stack up against kids older than you, is good; we are very used to that. My son’s 7th grade team only has 5 kids, so… there are always kids playing up with them. Luckily for them, those kids are coming into a very good team that has played with each other for years; it’s easy for them to fit in. Plus, since most games are not close, they all get opportunities to play, they all get chances to shoot and score; it’s fun for them I think. They may be nervous, naturally, but they don’t have to be a difference maker by any means; they play some minutes, and get some chances because of the greatness of the team. We’re always happy to cheer them on when they make a shot. Lately, the tables have been turned.
Our coach has been trying to get some competition for our 7th grade boys, like entering them in tournaments, etc. However, because there are only 5 of them, we’d be asking at least 2 kids to play up TWO grades; that’s a tough ask. So, some of our 7th grade kids, including my son, will get opportunities to play up with the 8th graders. My son did that earlier this year; he did fine. The opposition was weak, so it was no sweat. This weekend presented some better competition. On Friday night, it was a grade school night at a local high school, while Saturday brought an 8th grade tourney at another high school; my son would participate in both.
On Friday, there were a lot of kids on the team, including my son and two other 7th graders; my son barely played. I get it though. If there are 8th graders there, they should get the opportunities; two of them played about the same as my son. The team lost the game. Still, just being there, getting a taste, is good; on Saturday, he’d get a bigger taste. The team won the first two games in the tourney, and then lost in the semis; my son played about 6 minutes in each game. He played OK. I love that he comes in cold off the bench, and the first open shot he gets, he takes; that’s a great quality in him. He’s a shooter; that’s what shooters do… no fear! Unfortunately, he didn’t make any of his 5 shots this day. He did have a couple nice dimes, and played quality defense. My son doesn’t have the size yet, and playing with older kids, it comes into play even more; most of these kids were bigger and stronger than him, yet, he held his own. I have no doubt the more he played against better comp, the better he would get. Overall, it was a good experience.
Next year, there is NO playing up for the 7th graders; they are IT. Hopefully, we can re-recruit the two other boys in their class to rejoin the team for their final year, but if not, we would be getting the play ups all year. Next year, THEY are the 8th graders; THEY will be the ones playing all these tourneys. I can’t wait for that. Until then, they have to keep doing their thing; next on the schedule was a 7th grade game at home on Sunday.
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