At the kid's school there are clubs offered. Trace participates in two of them. One of them is photography and the other is basketball. That's right, basketball. A perfectly normal sport to play for most kids growing up but I know of only two hoops in the entire town. Surfing and soccer are easily the most popular here. Growing up it seemed like we were always watching the Boston Celtics on TV. Every school yard and park had several courts or at least hoops to shoot at. From the time I was in 5th grade we played basketball in gym class and intramural leagues were offered after school. I even played on teams in high school not that I was really very good. We always had a hoop in the driveway as did many families. If I was bored going outside to shoot a few baskets was always an option. Not so much here.
Having really no previous experience with the sport, Trace has really taken to the basketball club program, his coach and learning a new activity that is not on the water. Shocker!! Basketball is also his first real "team" sport as well. Athletics, especially team sports, teaches important lessons growing up so I have always felt good about the kids getting involved in anything they have an interest in. Most of their activities have been group sports but not necessarily ones where you rely on other team mates during competition. Certainly a different experience for Trace.
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| Photo by Paula. Trace on the right. |
The basketball club traveled to its first real games away from school this week and Trace was pretty excited. Ashley was out of town and I was waiting on contractors at the house so we were not able to attend but Trace came back super stoked about the whole experience. He played with the kids his own age and then played with the older kids as well to fill in when someone needed a rest. He had comments about the game, the reffing, the other team's players and even the equipment. I have never really heard him "talk basketball" before so it was fun to listen and ask him game related questions and get real game experience answers.
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| Photo by Paula. Trace center. |
His club team sounds like it will be participating in a real basketball tournament at the end of March. Efforts to get uniforms made up are even underway! We will make sure we will be there for that but at the same time try not put any pressure on him with family cheering for him and the team. Looks like I will have to go to watch a game or two with him during the NBA playoffs at the
Sayulita Public House so we can talk hoops over tacos, tequila and a lemonade.
