Playing With The Big Boys

Since Joshua's team had been winning so many tournaments in row, Lance decided to enter our 5th grade team in a 6th grade division.

Before their 1st game, the opposing 6th grade team and parents were pointing and giggling at our 5th graders, saying things like "awww, look how cute and little they are" and, "they can fit in our shoes!" Blah blah blah! In the 3rd quarter of the game, our team outscored their team 14-0! They weren't laughing anymore, that's for sure! After the game, one parent looked at us and just said, "wow!"

Joshua's team played against the "trees", the 6th grade boys were significantly taller, stronger and their game was a bit faster. In spite of all this, the 5th grade DAWGS played extremely well!

In the first game, they lost by 3 points but were ahead in the 3rd quarter with a 14-0 run!

In the second game, the 5th grade DAWGS won by 1 point. In the 4th quarter, we were tied up, Joshua hit a clutch 3 at a very critical time in the game and gave us the lead! It was amazing!

And in the final game, the DAWGS beat a team from Napa by 18 points! The Napa coach did not, I repeat did NOT like the fact that his 6th graders were losing to a bunch of little 5th graders. He received 2 technical fouls before being ejected from the game (like an NBA game)!

The entire team played their hearts out. Joshua got a number of "oohs and ahhhs" from onlookers. They were impressed with his quickness, defense, ballhandling, shooting, and aggressiveness. He is the littlest kid on the team and the 6th graders towered over him, but he went in there and helped his team fight hard to the end of each game. It was so much fun to watch.

Even though we didn't win the whole tournament, the kids felt like winners! We were so very proud of our 5th graders. They played hard and kept up with the bigger boys, never feeling inferior or intimidated. They were so happy and can't wait to play in another 6th grade tournament. This time they were actually challenged in each game. I don't think anyone expected our boys to do as well as they did, but they proved everyone wrong!

Awesome effort and heart to the 5th grade blue DAWGS!