Hoops

Last year in 7th grade my best friend got me to try out for the U14 (under fourteen) Girls' Basketball Team. I had never played basketball let alone been on a team, and didn't think I would get in. The tryouts were tough. The girls in my class were really good.

Very, very fortunately there were 12 places on the team and 13 girls tried out and the 13th wasn't interested in being on the team. She just wanted to participate and learn
to play "B-ball". This meant that everyone who wanted to get in, got on the team. I was really happy. I wasn't very good until the end of the season. Then our coach said that, if we wanted to, we could continue playing basketball, not as a team, but as an afterschool activity. So we did, and I think that's when I started to get pretty good, and to really enjoy it.

Unfortunately, there aren't any teams for girls here in Puzol. Strangely, my art teacher at Caxton asked if anyone was interested in playing basketball, but he hasn't said anything since. I asked if he had a place to play, but he said he would tell us when he knew more. That was two or three months ago, and nothing more to report. :(

In the meantime I will play one-on-one with my dad and my my favorite Christmas present -- our new backyard b-ball net. It's not as fun as with a team but I'm just glad he has time to do it. Its hard to concentrate when I'm dribbling, though, because he makes me laugh! I don't want to lose whatever basketball skills I have left from my old school, so I'm glad I have the net to practice with every other day or so!

-- Meg