The Road to Reno Chapter III

Chapter III:  Day One

Hanging out at the Grand Sierra Resort

Today was full of ups and downs and emotionally charged.  I only attended the fourth grade team games, but I heard from others that the other teams were very similar.  Unfortunately for the UH crew, the teams played at different times in different locations.  La Quinta is in a good location as it is central to the various locations which we played.  The 4th grade team walked onto the court of the first game confident and self assured.  They were able to beat a team, which beat them badly, only a few weeks ago.  They played Esface from East Palo Alto.  Fortunate for the 4th grade team, Esface never had the lead. 

The 2nd game was intense.  They faced a very tough team from Turlock.  The coaches had scouted them earlier and came back with how athletic they were.  Our boys didn't want to hear it. They came to play and faced this team.  After being down as much as 11 pts, the UH team came back within 3 points.  Unfortunately there were a lot of bad calls and UH lost.  At this point, I'd like to mention, no game should be left up to the officiating to determine.  However, one can't hope to notice many of the calls were against UH as one official continued to laugh it up and chit chat with the opposing team's coach.  I'm just saying. 

7th graders' 2nd win of the day.

Games were played throughout the city, but always in the vicinity of our hotel.  We were lucky to be centrally located.  Even as the weather continued to be erratic and rain would pour and it was cold, everyone was in good spirits.  Later that evening, the 7th grade played their 2nd game.  Even through tired eyes, the other players wanted to watch and cheer on the 7th grade players.  All the other games were done, so off to support our older players. 

The day ended with the 4th grade 1-1, 5th grade 1-1, 6th grade 0-2 and 7th grade 2-0.  Tomorrow is a new day.  The boys all played hard today.  They came together in the evening, as UH does at the 7th grade game. 

Everyone at the 7th grade evening game.

The excitement winds down.  The weather finally begins to settle.  The rest of the UH Family arrives and everyone relaxes from an intense first day.  For most, this is a first time for them.  There were some wins today and there were some losses.  All in all, it's good that the teams still came together and ended the day supporting each other.