Upward Basketball 2016 Season - Games 1-4

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~

Game #1 - January 9th

Coach Ro and I are coaching our daughters again this year for 1st-3rd grade girls in Upward Basketball.  We are the Nuggets.  After only two practices, we had our first game.  Sarah is jersey #3.

Our first game, as will be the remainder of our games, was against the Suns.  Like last year, there are only two teams.

We have three girls that returned from last years team:  Cari, Bella (Coach Ro's daughter) and Sarah.  New girls include Nienna, Addison, and Kylie.

Our girls know to race up the court after a steal or rebound.  The other team wasn't prepared for this.  We ended up winning the game 44-21.  Sarah had 20 points. 

Game #2 - January 16th

The other team was much more prepared for this game and started making picks for their best player Hannah (who is also one of Sarah's best friends).  Our help defense was not so good.  We will be focusing on this at next week's practice.

Coach Ro was out of town on business, so I coached by myself. 

We ended up tieing the game 30-30.  Sarah had 12 points.

Game #3 - January 23rd

So, we practiced help defense this week and our defense was much better.

Sarah being a tree,  (This makes Mommy really happy when Sarah plays good defense and blocks shots.)

Coach Ro providing instruction to our tall girls.

I have been working with Sarah on her shot as she has picked up some bad habits playing basketball at school recess.  As you can see from the picture above that her shot looks good.

Coach Ro and I (above).

Above, are some of Sarah's biggest fans and part of her cheering section.  Popee and Nanee have made to all of Sarah's games so far this season.  Grandma Great and Mike made it to the second half of this game (Sorry the games are at 8:30 in the morning).  They watched a well played game where our girls won 24-20.  Sarah had 16 points.

Game #4 - January 30th

Our 4th game was probably our best game.

We have been working on help defense and it is evident from the pictures that the girls are getting it.

Hands up, Help Defense!  Good job girls.

I guess Stacee wanted to take a picture of my butt.

#5 - Nienna, #12 - Cari, #3 - Sarah, #4 - Bella, #1 - Kylie, #2 - Addison

We won 44-32.  Sarah had 18 points.