Two O’Haras on the Court

Mason has returned for a second season of basketball at the YMCA and somehow convinced Morgan to enroll as well. I think Mason wants to be like the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Morgan wants to be like Mason. Each team had two practices before their first game, which was last Saturday. Morgan’s game was at 1pm at the Y off of Northwest Expressway and Mason’s was at 1:45 at the Y in Bethany, which meant Susan and I (and our parents) had to run from one game to the other to be able to catch both games.

Yes, Morgan picked that outfit out. Morgan is in the league for 8-10 year old girls. Morgan turned 8 in June so she is one of the youngest girls on the team, but she’s also close to being one of the tallest.

Morgan’s coach told her to stand “down low” and keep her arms in the air, and if nothing else she did that throughout the game. She only took one shot and missed it, but at this level she is working on the fundamentals like dribbling and walking at the same time. We’re working with her on some basic skills (like “not crying so much”), but if she’s anything like her brother, she’ll be out in the driveway practicing until she gets it right. The girls lost their first game but I am sure that will inspire them to practice even harder.

Mason’s team on the other hand came out blazing. That’s Mason, jumping off the line and heading toward the basket to grab a rebound. Mason’s team creamed the competition, staying 20 points ahead the entire game.

All the kids on Mason’s team have grown a bit since last year, but Mason was still about to out rebound most of them.

I like the kids playing basketball. I like the exercise they get and the teamwork skills they’re learning, and I like going to the games. Here’s to a fun season for both of them!