Upward Bball 2019 - Week 5

**Guest Blogger**

Eric Hendrickson

Silas Game #5 vs. Clippers - February 9th

Silas got to play against Coach Dustin's team this week.  He was his coach last year (he is also my chiropractor).

Silas played well and made a long range shot, which was too far out for him to be shooting.  He had 8 baskets.

Super Fans - Silas had two of his teachers come watch.

Phoebe Game #7 vs. Sun - February 9th

We played Haylee and Shawna's team this week.  Although they were winless, I watched the first half of their first game and they were leading the other team by half.  I could see that they were much improved and ready to play.

It was a 10-9 game at halftime.

We played well enough to win, but missed too many open shots.  We ended up losing 25-21.  Congratulations to the other team for their first win of the year.

Sarah Game #5 vs. Celtics - February 9th
For our last game, I intentionally kept the ball out of Sarah and another girl's hands to give some other girls opportunities to handle the ball and score.  For this game I planned on having those two girls get more opportunities.

I figured we would win in blow away fashion, but the other team was motivated to keep it close.

We were missing a lot of shots and playing flat.

We ended up winning the game, but only 20-8.  Sarah had 10 points.

Both teams I coached lacked motivation today.  I will take the blame for that.  I will do a better job of getting them motivated next week.  Super fans this week, Popee and Nanee cheered on the Hendrickson kids at all three games.

Upward Bball 2019 - Week 4

** Guest Blogger **

Eric Hendrickson

Silas Game #4 vs. Nuggets - February 2nd

Silas's team was playing against his friend Gavin's team.

Silas always irritates the person he is guarding because he sticks on them like glue.

Silas has been working on layups and doing a pretty good job.

Phoebe Game #5 vs. Sun - February 2nd
Phoebe's team, the Supersonics, got to play back to back games today.

All the girls were there and ready to go.

We practiced doing screens this week, and the girls did a good job of utilizing them in the game.  Phoebe does an excellent job of moving off the screen.

Phoebe shot some free throws and had a nice form.  We won 34-24 and Phoebe had 24 points.

Phoebe Game #6 vs. Rockets - February 2nd
We played another game immediately after the first one.

Phoebe started off the day not feeling well.  She had a much harder time the second half but she pushed through with all her might.

Phoebe played good defense against a girl who is very good, fast, and aggressive.

In this league, the teams are to play man-to-man defense.  The other team's coach decided to run a zone with all his players in the lane.  It made it difficult to score and he would not get out of the zone even after he was told to do so by the referees and me.  Very frustrating.  We couldn't run our normal offense against the zone and we ran out of gas.  We lost the game 30-20.  Phoebe had a lot of shots that didn't fall and ended up with 1 point.

Sarah Game #4 vs. Celtics - February 2nd

Sarah's team, the Nets, were geared up to play.  For this game, I wanted to put the ball in the hands of our girls that haven't scored often this year.

The other team played better and used an offense that set some screens.

Sarah shot (4) free throws, making (2).

We won 20-10.  Sarah had (4) points and passed the ball extremely well.

Good job playing basketball this weekend.

What Happened In January...

Charlie, our cat, has been finding himself inside more and more lately.  He likes it.  One evening Silas and the girls had his Magic Tracks all set up and they all played with it together for a very long time.  Charlie would chase the cars and trucks around the track and pounce on them like they were mice running from him

Eric got to be recognized and accept a plaque on behalf of his employer, Hutton, at a Friday night basketball game. (Andover vs. Derby boys and girls varsity games)  Our family got to all go too and enjoyed some treats from the concession stand while watching the games.  The Derby girls won in a blow-away but the boys game was much closer and more exciting to watch.  It came down to the last few seconds, with Andover boys winning.

Upward basketball 2019 has officially started.  Silas is on a pre-k and kindergarten team this year.  he is the tallest on his team again.  Our friends, David and Mandy, are coaching his team.

Eric is coaching Phoebe's Upward basketball team (below) and Sarah's Upward team again this year.

We will take this moment for a cat interruption... Eric and the kids were having game night... Charlie thought the little SORRY pegs/game pieces were extra fun to bat around and chase across the living room floor.

 We got a dusting of snow and some ice one weekend.  Of course this meant we needed to drag out all of our warm clothes and go out in it to play.  The kids had fun running and sliding.

We attended the Wichita Thunder Hockey game on Saturday, January 26th.

We even ran in to one of my all time favorite childhood, middle school, high school, college... friends for life! Brian, it was SO GREAT to see and visit with you and your son.  We're all looking forward to seeing you and your family again soon!  (Brian's Mom and my Mom taught together for over 30 years!  Their classrooms were right across from each other.  We grew up together.  Brian and I spent many after school times playing together.  We played sports together.  And, we have always had LOTS of fun together!)

The hockey game was fun and the Thunder won.