Hailey's Basketball Season Ends W/ 3rd Place Medal

Hailey ended her first travel basketball season this past weekend. It was a good ride for Hailey considering she'd only played rec basketball before this year. While she still has some catching up to do skill wise compared to other travel girl basketball players her age, she learned a lot this year and had a lot of fun. 

3rd Place Champs

Her team was kind and her coach was great about giving them all an opportunity to play. Playoffs were a bit different where they were gunning to win and while she didn't get major minutes, she didn't let that affect her and made it count when she did hit the court. In their first playoff game, they knocked off the #2 seed (they were the #7 seed) and advanced to play the #3 seed. They ended up losing that game to go to the final but did end up getting 3rd place in the consolation game. 

Hailey's defensive skills are solid as she likes to make the steals. If she was a bit more aggressive like her mama, she could have had lots of steals, rebounds and jump balls but she's coming into her own and exploring a game that she likes and it kept her busy all winter season. I think she'll play again next year if she makes the team again. Hopefully, that sleepover basketball camp that she's going to this summer with some of her friends will provide her with some useful skills. But, as I told her (quoting one of Austen's soccer coaches), if all you do is go to practice, you're going to be average. Go out there and shoot some hoops and free throws. Practice your lay ups. Choose to get better. So we'll see if in the off season she takes this advice. 

As for me, I don't think I've watched more basketball in my life than this season between Hailey's games and Peyton's cheering for basketball. The games do go quick but sometimes we were sitting through two games in a row or in a day and then that was long! But it was nice being inside and not having to brave the cold or rain. I could get used to this sport if Hailey likes it enough to stick with it. 

Last regular season game

Waiting for the consolation game to start