Hey everyone,
Well this weekend our boys basketball team went to Boise to play for the State Championship title. We've had a rough season. We went in as the half team from two Districts. Alex blew his ACL about five games into the season, which put him out for the rest of the year. Four weeks ago his Dr. gave him the go ahead to dress down with the team, but the only thing he could do is go out on the floor during warm-ups and shoot foul shots. We were pretty tickled with that news. The coach told Alex that if they get into a situation where the other team gets a technical, and it wasn't a close scoring game, he'd let Alex shoot the "T" shot. Pretty unlikely, but he was willing to take anything at this point.
The first night (Thursday) at the state games we won. The team was pretty excited. They, for the first time, really pulled together as a team and played team ball. It was an awesome win.
The next night we played a team a bit tougher than the night before, we pulled ahead and with 4 minutes left of the 4th quarter........they got a technical!!! I wasn't sure if Alex would be able to shoot the ball, we were only ahead by 10 points, and this was an important game to win. If we won that game, we played Saturday for State Championship title.
I had my eyes on coach and saw him tell Alex to go "check in" at the score table!! I was ecstatic!!!! I started slapping Mel on his shoulder and saying "Alex is shooting, Alex is shooting"!!! To which Mel stood up and started yelling..... something! I grabbed Hallie out of Ashley's arms, startling poor Hallie, and told Ash to get her camera out. The announcer called Alex into the game, which by then the whole Hill family was wiping tears out of their eyes, and the Shelley student body was chanting Alex's name, along with the Shelley fans standing and applauding. Alex went to the foul line, shot the first and missed. He turned to the Shelley fans and gave them his "oops smile", it was so cute, he squared up and shot the second shot and made it. The crowd went crazy, the Hill's were crying and Alex walked back to the bench a few feet taller. He just sat on the bench the rest of the game giggling.
We won that game. After the game when everyone hangs around to congratulate the team, we had so many people come up to us and tell us that was a tender moment. Everyone that talked to me after the game said they were wiping tears from their eyes as well. Alex found us and as he hugged each one of us we bawled on each other's shoulders! Alex finally got to contribute to the game, to the season. It was very emotional for us all. For me the defining moment was when I heard the crowd screaming and chanting Alex's name. I'm glad he made one of the baskets, he would of died if he didn't, but it was good for me to hear the fans go nuts for him. He hasn't played since Dec. and I've wondered if people had forgotten that he's not a bad player.
After all the excitement settled, somewhat, the team headed for the bus and the fans to their cars. We were walking past the bus about the time Alex got on and heard another round of cheers and woo-woos from the team! Words cannot describe what a golden moment that was! Saturday we won the game which made us State Champions!!!! Way to go Russets! Again, they moved the team, fans, and coaches into a secluded room for all the congrats. Again we had so many people tell us that winning the State Championship was awesome, but the highlight of the whole tournament was Alex being able to shoot that technical shot! It was so nice of everyone to share that with us. Most did with tears in their eyes, which made mine well up as well. It was awesome!!!!
I think you can go to Idahosports.com to watch the game. As for me....I'm buying the video!!!!!
Thanks again Shirlene for letting us all crash at your home. We love staying there and you're always good to entertain us whether it's a good movie or just your funny stories.
