Cory and I met while playing on the same co-ed intramural basketball team in college. There was a rule at the time that you couldn’t have more men on the court than women for your team, so if a female player fouled out, another guy also had to be removed from play. Our first demonstration of true teamwork happened during one of these games where I was the only girl who hadn’t fouled out, so only one other guy from our team could be on the court with me. Cory. To sum up: the last few minutes of this game was played 2 on 5. Cory and I against the other team, and we were only ahead by a few points. We held them off, and sealed the win with athletic prowess. It’s just the kind of people we are.
For the last several months Drew has been begging me to play basketball, so we finally got him on a team for the first time this winter. The first game was entertaining and a little sad. We found out later that our opponents that day had been playing together for three years already. THREE YEARS! They’re in 3rd grade! The fun part about these games is watching Cory. He can hardly bear it. Even more competitive than I am, his face gets tight and his muscles tense as he witnesses the incompetent play going on in front of him. Meanwhile, I look on in horror that my son is the only one who sees fit to hike up his socks to his thighs, which looks hot with his jersey that they force the kids to wear tucked in. Cory and I, we make a great team.
Luckily, Cory is not one of those crazy dads screaming on the sidelines and making his kid run suicide drills after the game. His approach: “Good job Drew! Let’s go to the church basketball court and practice.” And Drew loves it. He asks his dad to go practice with him almost every day, and he accommodates him as much as possible. One night we went for Family Home Evening and I heard Cory give Drew this advice, “Drew, you’ve got to be more aggressive. If you don’t have any fouls, you’re not being aggressive enough.” Drew took mental note, and during yesterday’s game he showed how much he has improved.
So improved, in fact, that everyone from our section cheered for him as he had to leave the court after his fifth personal foul. That’s right my people, he fouled out. Looks like those lessons are really taking hold. Afterward Cory whispered in his ear, “Next time, let’s keep it to four.” We’re so proud.
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