Bitty Basketball - Season 1

I've been meaning to post about this for a couple of weeks now, but it's one of those photo-heavy posts that took forever to put together!

In January, Brantley and three of our neighbor boys joined their first ever basketball league.  This six-week league through the Kansas City YMCA included three Saturday "practices" and three Saturday "games".  Now, I use these words loosely, as we're talking about 3-year olds here.  There weren't a lot of baskets being made and there definitely weren't plays being drawn up.  Needless to say, it was all pretty comical and good Saturday morning entertainment if nothing else!
 

For the record, the boys played for the Ballhawks.  Their team color was purple and they were coached by one of our neighborhood dads, Coach Tanner.  The sessions were 50 minutes long, which is pretty lengthy for the 3-5 year age range!  It's no wonder they got restless towards the end!  Awards weren't given (except for a participation medal) but had they been, Brantley would have most definitely won for "Best Dribbler".  This kid has some serious dribbling skills and impressed me quite a bit!

 

Brantley was so excited for week four (the Ballhawks' first game), but his excitement was short-lived.  After the pre-game huddle, he and the rest of his teammates were running towards our side of the gym.  His feet got tangled up with another player's causing him to trip and fall face-first into the metal step on the bleachers.  I still don't know how he escaped stitches...for the third time in his little life (first, second), but somehow a bruised forehead was the worst of his injuries.  I was afraid that that might put an end to his interest in this basketball league, but much to my surprise, he was right back out there the next Saturday and played his little heart out.

Perhaps the best play of the entire season came in the final five minutes of the last game.  This poor boy in blue had no idea what was coming, but to everyone's surprise, Brantley ran up from behind and stole the ball right out of his hands!!  Although it was a pretty great play, the ref told him it wasn't allowed and she gave the ball back to the sweet, little boy in blue.  One month later and I'm still laughing about it...and the photos show the whole thing!

Here's a brief video of Brantley with the ball during the final game.

And finally, a proud Brantley with his participation medal.

And the group and individual professional photos that were taken.

A successful first season of basketball in the books!  Next up, soccer (in April/May), followed by baseball (in June/July)!