Edmonton brought a short crew to the tournament this year. Branden, Ken, Tracey, Linda, Rob and Quen. Most have only seen four games all season. Tracey and Linda are two of the rookies. When you hear rookies you think of young people but these two have the combined age of 120. They remind me of kids. Innocent and fragile. When they came out for the first time at the beginning of this season I thought they where just finding a way of staying in shape. I thought they were in it for fun and exercise well until dinner last night when everything I thought I knew about them changed. The majority of there conversation was about how bad they wanted to beat Calgary. For the first time since the beginning of the year I noticed the competitiveness come out in them. As they where eating I can see them thinking about winning 2nd place. Constantly asking me questions about what to do in situations on the court. I was shocked how much they have learned.
During the first two games they both took simple instructions and executed. They where scoring goals and causing turnovers and having fun doing it. It was so satisfying to see them play and succeed.
Sunday morning at the gym as we got ready they where focused on the game and I could still see Linda thinking we where going to win but I knew the team lined up opposite of us was a tough one. Calgary had experience, speed and youth and on paper we didn't match up. As starting line of Linda, Branden, Ken and Quen lined up for the jump I noticed something differnet than the first two games. Everyone was in position. Everyone was focused on the jump and ready to play!!! The first 5 minutes we traded goals but after that it was turnover after turnover and we found ourselves up by 6 at the end of the first quarter. I was amazed how well they all played. Every time out we used they where on the sidelines talking about adjustments that need to be made. Cutting off passes on defence and getting in to passing lanes on offence. It was a sight to see how far they have come in just three games. They worked hard every moment they where on the court. Shutting down the Calgary team and winning the game by 16. Finishing the tournament with a silver medal.
What a great finish. This weekend was the reason that I do what I do. Thanks to everyone for not giving up and working hard all weekend. Doug you did a great job and everyone loved having you there oh and thanks for the coffee! LOL
I am sitting on my deck at home drinking a tea still glowing with pride of what this team did this weekend...thanks for reading!
During the first two games they both took simple instructions and executed. They where scoring goals and causing turnovers and having fun doing it. It was so satisfying to see them play and succeed.
Sunday morning at the gym as we got ready they where focused on the game and I could still see Linda thinking we where going to win but I knew the team lined up opposite of us was a tough one. Calgary had experience, speed and youth and on paper we didn't match up. As starting line of Linda, Branden, Ken and Quen lined up for the jump I noticed something differnet than the first two games. Everyone was in position. Everyone was focused on the jump and ready to play!!! The first 5 minutes we traded goals but after that it was turnover after turnover and we found ourselves up by 6 at the end of the first quarter. I was amazed how well they all played. Every time out we used they where on the sidelines talking about adjustments that need to be made. Cutting off passes on defence and getting in to passing lanes on offence. It was a sight to see how far they have come in just three games. They worked hard every moment they where on the court. Shutting down the Calgary team and winning the game by 16. Finishing the tournament with a silver medal.
What a great finish. This weekend was the reason that I do what I do. Thanks to everyone for not giving up and working hard all weekend. Doug you did a great job and everyone loved having you there oh and thanks for the coffee! LOL
I am sitting on my deck at home drinking a tea still glowing with pride of what this team did this weekend...thanks for reading!