For all the MLB action, and NFL preseason games, at the end of the day, it was a basketball weekend. It was the Bulls Fest and for the first time, we were in attendance. More than that though, my son was on a team with his school teammates in the 3 v 3 tourney. It was a lot of fun.
Really nice setup… they had half courts setup all throughout the United Center parking lot; basketball everywhere. It kind of got my juices flowing; there is a 35 and over bracket, and it is only half court… I could do this… haha. Maybe next year, but for this year, my son would be running around one of these courts. It all began on Saturday during pool play.
The team was made up of 4 kids and coached by one of the 7th graders, with oversight by the dads of course. They would circle in substitutes throughout the 25 minute game OR until one of the teams reached 20 points. Each basket counted for 1 point with 3 pointers counting for 2. It was a big relief to see that first trey hoisted by my son hit nothing but net; they were off and running. The team was made up of my son and another guard who he has really good chemistry with; he’s actually in 5th grade, but I imagine will play with the 6th graders this year. The other two were 2/3 of the starting frontcourt for his team; one very physical player and one that has definitely made strides with his game since I’ve last seen him play. It was a nice combo; I think the coach did a great job cycling each kid in and out. With 3 games to play on this day, and that sun getting warmer, it was smart. The boys did great, going 3-0 in pool play, getting the #1 overall seed in the knockout bracket on Sunday. There were 10 teams total in their particular age group, with each of them making the playoffs. There were 2 other undefeated teams, but they were both on the other side of the bracket. It was a good spot to be in.
As Sunday rolled around, the temperature and intensity in the games had ratcheted up; none of these games would be easy. The first game was a hard fought W for the team, which got a little chippy. One of our kids got pushed down late, and his parents weren’t too happy, exchanging words with the kid and his father; all good though. Our kid was OK, and their team was eliminated. Next up was a rematch of one of the games from pool play; I warned them though, that this would be different… I saw these kids play in an earlier game, and they were playing much better. It wasn’t easy, but our boys prevailed again, which put them in the championship game. On the other side of the bracket, one of the other undefeated teams got knocked out early, with the other making it to the finals. Game on!
Funny enough, after we grabbed a beer between games, I made my way back out to the courts to do a little scouting… haha. They had the tallest kid in the bracket that I had seen who liked to shoot from the outside, but their other kid was the star; he went right with reckless abandon. The tip was stay in the big kid’s face and don’t let this kid go right. As the game began, it was quite obvious this was going to be a battle. As each of our shots rolled around the rim and out, their shots were falling; it was a bad omen. The other team was hitting their free throws too, which had been a little bit of a weakness for our team. The game was close, but the other team started to pull away. When the big kid hit the trey at 18, the game was over; let the tears begin. Rough ending to a really good weekend.
5-1 in some really competitive games which will be very helpful as the now 6th graders embark on a season where they will try to match their undefeated 5th grade season, while completing some unfinished business in the 2nd league they play in. It was good experience no doubt; it’s quite obvious, our boys do not like to lose; I knew that about MY boy… he’s not alone. That competitive fire burns in them; match that up with their talent, and how long they’ve already been playing together, and watch out… Can’t wait to see the boys back at it.
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