The day finally arrived . . .

ELIJAH'S 1st OFFICIAL BASKETBALL GAME

Elijah & his Coach Curtis, whom by the way has also coached rival teams of Payton's.

Elijah is No. 10 like his papa was in High School. Good sign?

Elijah engaging in his 1st Jump Ball. . . .

Elijah with his red face after the game . . . . and couldn't be happier!

Details:
Elijah had been dressed and ready to go literally 3 hours before we had to leave. (Typical Elijah fashion) He had double checked 4 times that his water bottle was still ready & in the fridge.

On the drive down the Mtn . . . off to a Gresham school gym . . . . we reviewed the rules about good sportsmanship, equal play time for all the kids on his team, not to hog the ball & remember to pass it, etc., He remained jazzed until we wanted him to understand that when he is on the bench it's not because he didnt do well, but to allow the other kids to play. He became depressed looking & said "So I only get to play half the game?" He eventually understood he had a job to do on the bench... to rest so he was ready to back out on the court, and to cheer his teammates on from the bench. Well . . . . ironically once we were at the game . . . Elijah's feet hit the court & there they stayed the entire game. His bottom never got to feel the bench - he played the entire game with JOY! The coach kept asking girls on his team if they wanted to play but they were uninterested, tired or . . . well visiting with their friends. Elijah's face was beet red but he played hard the entire game.

They dont keep a scoreboard at this age but he probably made 10 baskets, numerous assists, stole the ball probably 5 times, and was selected to do the jump ball 2 or 3 times. He was unphased when they matched him up with the tallest kid on the other team, who was a foot taller. It was amazing to watch.