2 weeks later

Two weeks and three tourneys later, Uptempo Hoops is still going strong.  Another weekend full of tournaments.  Last week, our 7th grade team entered their first AAU tournament.  It was a 2 game one day tourney against skilled, respected and mature organizations.  Our 1 week young team walked away undefeated with 2 games under their belt.  Both games were close, but UH came out the victor.  Our fans were supportive as well as nervous for the boys.  At first the players were stiff with nerves, but by the second half of the first game, they were a well oiled machine.  The defense was fantastic and they played no less than awesome. 

A week later there is tourney number 2 and another 2 wins.  What's different?  Both were 20+ point wins, instead of the close games of last week.  First game was against friends and former teammates.  The other team played hard, but the UH boys walked away winners. Second game, was the same.  Now the 7th grade boys are even more comfortable and confident on the court.  What makes them special is how they work well together and communicate on the court.  From day one, they meshed well together.  They are supportive and each player knows their role on the court.  They throw a ball down the court knowing who should be there and what they should do.  This is a special team to watch.  I'd like to highlight our center's windmill layup.  That was amazing.  If he were just a bit taller, it would have been a windmill dunk. 

This weekend UH 5th grade boys played a two day tournament.  This was the "get your feet wet" tourney for them.  First game, they won by 20 points and second game, they lost by 20 points.  However, after speaking to their coach, overall they did very well as a team.  Opportunities like this, win or lose shows both strengths and weaknesses.  It sounded like the 5th graders played very well and played their hearts out.  I wish I was there to watch, but the 7th grade played in Santa Clara and the 5th grade in Hayward.

What's next on tap for UH?  April 7 is the next tournament.  In this tourney we expect to enter all 4 of our teams.  It's the first tourney for the young 4th grade team and for the 6th grade team.  Both teams have grown this past 2 weeks.  The 4th grade team consists of St. Anne CYO players who went to the Diocesan finals.  The 6th grade team is blessed with 6th graders who played on their aggressive and skilled AMS team.  I'm very proud of all these players. 

We are only a few weeks into the season.  We are all gearing up for the Jam On It tournament in Reno.  This is very exciting for everyone.  For me the pride and excitement also lies locally.  The boys all get along very well.  My young 3rd grader, plays on the 4th grade team, admires the 7th grade team, has played with the 5th graders and became friends with the 6th graders.  It's more than an organization, it is a family, it is a village and it DOES take everyone to make this organization succeed.  I've met some great new families and rekindled friendships with others.  As tournaments come, I envision lifetime bonds.  I see young boys turning into successful men.  Who knows if we are creating NBA players, but it doesn't matter.  What we are creating is the first generation of an ever growing basketball family.  I recently made a joke, because I do not have a 7th grader boy, I said "I'm here to check up on all my kids".  Good job to everyone who is part of Uptempo Hoops, every little bit makes a huge difference.