Kansas Takes the Court

Dom has been on my case to write a post...so I will write one about him.

 Most of the people who read this blog know we love basketball.  Dom and Eric and I (and Will) were in Lawrence when Kansas defeated Davidson in 2008 to get to the Final Four.  For several years now, Dom has been my trusty couch companion as we watch KU play games late into the night.  Later now that we are in the Eastern Time Zone.

 So, we loved it when Dom's CYO coach nicknamed him 'Kansas' for the season.  As die hard fans, we have loads of Kansas Jayhawk clothing.  As such, the only white shirt Dom had to wear to practice was a Jayhawk shirt from summer camp.  Being one of the new kids in a court with thirty 6th graders dribbling, shooting, and otherwise not listening, it was easier to call him "Kansas Shirt" at the initial practices.  This got shortened to 'Kansas' quickly, and 'Kansas' is how he was known throughout the season by his teammates and coach.

 And his season was fantastic.  The thirty boys were split up into three teams. Dom's team was primarily made up of homeschoolers which meant there wasn't that awkward situation we have run into where the kids that go to school together pass to one another, and leave the others out.  Instead, this team really played like a team.  And they supported one another.  Cheering each other on and I never saw a bad attitude.  And especially important to me, they welcomed Dom Kansas immediately.

Practicing in negative windchills

 Granted, he put in the work off the court on a regular basis to earn the respect on the team as a leader.  He had several double digit outings.  Was the lead blocker and rebounder.  And, towards the end, got pretty good at reading passes and stealing the ball for a fast break.  I was so proud that even as a new kid, he was the one trusted to be on the court at the beginning and the end of the game. 

 We didn't have a fun basketball season last year.  But, this season more than made up for it.  His team did so well that they got promoted to a higher division for the end of season tournament.  As such, they were awarded an 8 seed in an 8 team tournament.  Dom and I used critical thinking and number crunching to analyze the other teams in our bracket and determined an upset was likely.  Sure enough, his team upset the 1 seed in the first game of the tournament.  Even missing two kids.  They proceeded to lose the next round, which landed them in the 3rd place game this past weekend. 

A highlight for me during that game was overhearing the opposing coach console his team with a "We've never played Kansas before".  Dom was stealing balls and getting fast breaks on the way to an 18-2 scoreline.  The other team recovered a bit, but not enough.  We Kansas fans know how hard it is to dig yourself out of that hole.

 Another highlight for this season is that Dom is finally competing in the Knights of Columbus free throw competition.  He has made it to State on a 19/25 effort.  He hopes to make at least 20 at the state level.  Schaumamoi!  But, I know he can do it.  I just watched him do it in our cul-de-sac.

 It has been a really fun few months.  His time on the team has made him some great friends (and me, too).  We've enjoyed discussing strategy and watching KU basketball even more to pick up tips.  He is working at modeling his shot after Ochai Agbaji after commentator Fran Fraschilla enthused over his textbook shot.  We also took in a game at George Mason University.  It was the perfect outing for me: cheap, close, and free parking.  I didn't even mind that I paid $5 for a medium coke.  But, I'll never do that again...thieves! 

 And, of course, this is all in time for March Madness.  I guess we'll need to wipe off our tournament bracket....