A little over an inch of snow and some freezing rain on top.  Sam got out in the middle of the storm to take a few photos….

Yes, more basketball photos, but not the usual basketball photos this time.  In addition to the usual photos of Alex playing great defense or guarding the other team’s best player (even if he is a foot taller), this time we have more photos of Alex dribbling and shooting! You might have to turn away if these are too graphic for you.  Alex has been averaging about 3-4 shots now a game and has been handling the ball a lot more, including dribbling, driving and setting up some nice plays.  Although he is probably only averaging a couple of points per game, his shot selection has been very good and he hasn’t been passing up the open shots like in the past.  Alex is also getting quite a few assists with some nice passing into the lane. Now he is not a Seth Curry by any far stretch of the imagination, but he has improved greatly over the last couple of months and the coach has relied upon him more on more – not just to stop the best player but to help lead the team.
  Sam meanwhile has been getting a few minutes each game and although not getting a lot of playing time, has managed to take advantage of the time he has – grabbing rebounds and hustling for loose balls.  Sam played up against some players on Tuesday that were probably sophomores and about a foot taller.  These guys had quite a bit more experience and also played on the Varsity team against Alex.  Sam was not shy and managed to push the guys around a little on the inside – you could tell they weren’t used to that and they weren’t able to score when Sam was in the game.  We are very proud of these two guys.

Sam handling the ball at the top of the key…

Sam fighting for a loose ball

Alex pulling up for a short range jumper

Alex setting up the offense at the top of the key

Alex guarding their best player

Alex taking a shot from the corner – almost in 3 point range

Alex pulling up for a 10′ jumper on the baseline

Alex knocking the ball out of bounce on an inbound pass

Another baseline jumper

This goes in to pull the team within 1 point

Sam’s new summer wetsuit arrived yesterday and amid all the Homecoming preparations and basketball games he didn’t get a chance to try it on until today.  It’s a perfect fit and we love the colors.

Here is Alex and Virginia being presented….

Homecoming at Trinity is a cross between what most people know as Homecoming and Prom.  The Homecoming festivities follow a night of basketball.  In this case, the Varsity Girls played first, then the Varsity boys and finally the JV boys.  This is just the reverse of a normal night, but it gives all the players a chance to get ready for Homecoming.  Homecoming follows about an hour after the games end as the gym has to be converted and the official photos are taken.  The parents are all sitting in the front in chairs on the floor and everyone else is in the bleachers.  This year’s theme was Jewels of the Nile and the gym was decorated with pyramids and camels, of course the Homecoming participants were the jewels in this case.  There was of course an opening prayer and then each couple walked down the main  aisle and stepped up onto the platform.  The girls were given away by their father and then each student’s favorite bible quote and regular quote were read.  At the end of the evening, the King and Queen were announced.  Alex and Virginia did not win but were by far the best looking couple.  🙂   Of course since it is Free Will Baptist, there was no dancing, just cake and punch afterwards.

In the back hall waiting for the official photos to be taken

Again in the back hall before the festivities.

Virginia’s Dad presenting Virginia and shaking Alex’s hand.

On the platform, as they are reading their quotes

Alex, Virginia, Jessie (Virginia’s brother) and his date.

All of the Homecoming participants

After the ceremony.

All four of us at home after the evening.

Throwback Thursday a few days early….

In 129 days, Alex will officially be a high school graduate!  It’s hard to believe that the little guy in the first photo now is ready to move on to the next phase of his life.  Alex has already got a good plan in place, much more so than most of his friends and we can’t wait to see what he does next.

Alex and Sam have both become world class Whovians!  They love the new Dr Who show (along with Dad) and are now up to Season 8 on Netflix – the current season is 9 and they hope to catch up by the summer.  Anyway, in Season 1 there is an episode about a little boy during WWII that walks around asking “Are you my Mummy?”  Of course, he is wearing a gas mask as is most of the population because an alien medical ship is trying to heal them by turning them into a type of walking zombie.  Both of the boys thought the episode was pretty creepy, but Alex probably a little bit more.  So for Christmas Dad made him a new night light for his room.  A genuine WWII gas mask mounted on a mannequin head.  We think he genuinely loved it, but we noticed he hasn’t used it as a night light yet.  :-0  🙂

  More basketball for the boys as they had two games to close out the week on Thursday and Friday.  The games on Thursday were not pretty – both teams lost by double digits and the games were never in question.  The other teams were just much bigger and more athletic than our team – the schools are much bigger too.  Sam only had a minute or two of playing time in the JV game, so he didn’t see much action.  Alex, on the other hand, had one of his best games ever.  He, of course brought some great defense to the game but also finally starting to take more of a leadership role on the team.  Alex scored five points – including a beautiful 3-point shot (nothing but net) that had the whole bench off their feet. He also had several assists and was dribbling more on the floor.
 The games on Friday night were split, with the JV team losing but the Varsity team winning on Senior Night.  Sam got 2-3 minutes in the JV loss, but took advantage of the time with 1 shot attempt that just rolled out and 2 rebounds.  Alex had another great game taking 4 or 5 shots and getting two points.  Alex took some good shots and played great defense as usual.  He also had several rebounds , couple of steals, and a few assists – overall another great performance.   The team is starting to rely on him on both ends of the floor!

Alex pulling up for a 2 point shot on Thursday that just rimmed out.

The 3-Point shot on Thursday that had the bench and Mom and Dad on their feet!

Sam taking a 2-point shot on Friday – just rimmed out.

Senior Night, Alex chose not to get flowers, balloons or candy… just a new soccer ball, that made all the other boys jealous. 🙂

Alex fighting for a rebound on Thursday

Alex once again drew the big man assignment on Thursday – this guy has about 6 inches on him.