at least in our house today. The Super Bowl can wait another twenty-four. Our thoughts are on BASKETBALL, pure and undefiled. Grandchildren basketball in real competition, not with each other, or playing "horse" against grandpa, but going head to head against other kids their age.
The FIRST GAME was Thursday evening with the Nixon-Smiley seventh grade "B" team playing Kenedy, who had beaten them by one point earlier in this season. It was our first time to see "little" Dempsey play in a basketball game. Only one team member was taller. None were as physical in build. He had a very good game, scoring six points and making the winning shot for Nixon-Smiley in the last minute! I think the final score was 16-15. They all miss a lot of shots.
The SECOND GAME this morning (Saturday) in Floresville. Emily's team went against a very good girl's team of third and fourth graders. Emily was the SMALLEST girl on the court. Her team had five people there so they all played the entire game of 24 minutes. Floresville won by 20-0. In spite of that Emily played well. She brought the ball down court and dribbled well. She shot several times with two girls in her face. She stole the ball a couple of times. We were real proud of her and amazed at how well she played not having ever competed before.
I tell all this to obviously brag on the grandchildren, but more. This was really hard-fought fun basketball. No salaries no bonuses. No TV or packed gyms. Emily lamented that she missed her two free throws. I told her, "Honey there are big seven-foot tall guys who make millions of dollars playing basketball...and some of them can't make half their free throws!". Anyway, she will play another day and time. I see the making of a real player. Dempsey too.
I make a Super-Bowl prediction or two: There will be expensive ads. The half-time will be loud and lousy. Mistakes, not great plays, will bring a winner. That winner will be St. Louis. Near the close the bench warmers will hoist the Gator-Aide to douse the coach. One of the long-haired guys will get pulled to the turf by his hair, a new Super Bowl first! John Madden will NOT fly in to announce the game, but will come in his motor home. And finally, it will be the longest game you can remember watching, if indeed you do.
