NOTE: This post is quite long and not terribly coherent. I'm viewing it as a personal journal entry simply to help me remember the weekend. So, with that warning, proceed at your own risk.
Several weeks ago I got a Facebook message from Kevin, one of my high school basketball teammates, telling me that MHS was having its alumni basketball tournament the week of March 16. He said I should come play. I mulled it over for a bit and realized that I could probably make it work. The tourney is broken into two parts: pool play followed by single elimination rounds. Pool play would happen Mon - Wed and the top two teams from each pool would advance to the quarterfinals on Thu night. Kevin figured our team would make it out of pool play, and I could join for the quarterfinals and beyond.
It sounded too fun to pass up, so I checked with Brenna, and she willingly supported me. I bought a ticket to fly out on Thu afternoon and return Sun morning.
The week of the tourney came, and I was on pins and needles each day waiting for the results of the games. Another teammate, Ryan, provided the good news on Mon--a big win. Tue was sobering with a narrow loss. It all came down to the Wed game as to whether the guys would advance. Ryan called about 11 that night to let me know they had won. Whew! The ticket purchase was not in vain!
So I flew out Thu afternoon and my mom and dad picked me up at the airport. It's a fine feeling to have your parents meet you at the airport. I can't say enough good things about my parents and how they support me in everything I do. It's always been like that, and I am very fortunate.
That night we played the 2004 team, and it was quite a battle. Due to their youth they had to spot us 12 points, and we needed them as we ended up winning by 5 or so. It was a very physical game, but both sides were pretty cool about it. They had two main guns--one was a big kid--probably about 6' 7" or so who was a good post player, and the other was the outside gunner. We went to a box & one in the second half to slow down the gunner, and that worked out well. I huffed and puffed and concluded that I wasn't playing church ball! I felt fine about the way I played, but I came away impressed with two things:
1. I don't feel old, but after running up and down the court with the '04 grads, it definitely hit home that I'm getting there. I haven't been sore after playing basketball for a long time, but I was sore on Friday.
2. I hadn't had that much fun playing ball in a long, long time. So many memories of high school ball. Watching Kevin pull up for a three pointer, seeing Joey do his little shimmy-shake on the wing before starting a drive to the hoop, watching Brian slash to the basket with perfect timing, seeing Ryan get feisty going after rebounds down low, and watching Eric battle for position and be a complete team player. I played with all five of them at MHS, and it just thrilled me to be on the court with them again. That doesn't even bring up the other guys who played with us and were just amazing in their effort. Carl, Tyler, Nick, Jess--all of them were just a riot to play with. Nobody seemed to care that much about who played the minutes or scored--we all just wanted to be part of a team that wins. It was really cool! It was also fun to see some of the people in the stands. My friend Ben had come to cheer us on as well as others that I hadn't seen for a long time. It's always nice to have people cheering you on.
I went home and stayed up til 11 or so talking basketball, family, church, politics and all kinds of other stuff with my parents. I savor those opportunities. Just me and my parents. While growing up I never really made an effort to spend good, quality conversation time with my folks. Now, I really enjoy it! Just making up for missed chances, I suppose.
Friday was filled with work and family. I had taken my laptop so I hooked into my parents broadband and worked away. With all my work files on a jump drive and the ability to access my email wherever I have an internet connection, I can pretty much work anywhere I like. So that was fun. Mom and dad got to see a little of what I do as I prepared a presentation to provide training to folks in various countries around the world. Cool stuff!
I also helped my dad better navigate the internet and gain some familiarity with Facebook, and worked with my mom on her desktop wallpaper and screensaver. Little fun things like that did take place throughout the day. Linda came over for lunch, so we sat around and did what we do best--amuse ourselves and laugh. Thanks, Lin, for being such a great sis!
That night we went to Sizzler for dinner. What a great place to people watch on an early Friday evening. We sat around for 15 minutes or so just kind of finishing up our meal, but mostly watching the people around us. What a diverse place the world is!
Saturday was the piece de resistance of the weekend. A few weeks ago I found out the Taeoaliis were moving to a new house on Saturday. I realized that it was likely I would be able to help. So I walked over to their house around 10 Sat morning. I took the route I used to take as a kid--cutting through the Grant Elementary school grounds. I hadn't walked through those grounds in probably 20 - 25 years. Talk about a flood of memories: Prisoner's Ball, Soccer, Mr Laney, Miss Glenn, Wall Ball, 6th grade presentation on Ecuador, Joe Nelson getting hit in the head with a baseball bat, giant snowballs at recess, Mrs Taylor, Mr Gray, 2 against 15 football games, and all of my dear, dear friends. What a great time I had in elementary school.
Soon I was at the Taeoaliis' house. The people there brought back more memories--Daela, Fred, Jer, Semi, etc., etc. Of course I had to think about riding around on the hood of Shirley's car through the neighborhood and so many sleepovers at Jer's house.
At any rate, we got the big items loaded in short order and the crew headed to their new house. They told me to come because there would be BBQ! I went home to borrow mom and dad's car, and took the opportunity to do a video chat with Brenna and the munchkins. Eliza still doesn't know quite what to think of the video chat. So strange to see Dad's face on a computer screen.
At length I headed to the new house, but by the time I got there all the unloading was done, so what could I do but help them eat the food. I excelled in that area! Jer cooks up some mean BBQ chicken--almost like a satay flavor. Really good! Fotu also showed up while I was there. More memories--9th grade football and lots of pickup basketball.
I helped Jer with the BBQ and even got to hold his baby girl and watch her fall asleep in my arms. It made me feel like I was at home! Way too fun for words. Thanks, Jer, for all the memories created over a lifetime. You are the best.
I drove back to mom and dad's, and we made our way to MHS for the tournament semis. Several more people in the stands, including Jed and his son Jacob. I really enjoyed taking a few minutes to talk to Jacob and to let him know that his dad used to run around and play ball with us (now all his athletic time is devoted simply to running--or biking). Jacob made me laugh when he indicated that he could probably take his dad in a game of basketball. Jed didn't protest very strongly, so I'm only left to think that it may be true!
Our game in the semis was against 2002. They had to spot us 10 points (5 in each half), so that was very helpful. The game was fairly intense, but not as physical as the quarterfinals. For the most part we took the lead and held onto it, with them making a run or two here and there. Each of our team members made tremendous contributions with timely three pointers, rebounds and steals to seal the victory. We ended up winning by right around 10 points. I think I enjoyed this game the most of all of them because we again beat a much younger team who didn't know anything about us. There's just some satisfaction in that. Plus, I actually sank my two free throws and a three pointer! What's not to like?
We then had a 1 1/2 hour break while we watched the other semifinal in which 1997 defeated another (very good) team from the 2000s. In fact, it was the team that had defeated us in pool play. So, we weren't disappointed to see them go down. And, we got the added benefit of playing against a team of guys that we knew pretty well. Several younger brothers of our classmates were on the 97 team, so it made for a friendly atmosphere in the championship. In addition, they were gassed big time from their hard fought semi win, and with only one sub they simply didn't have the stamina to put up the fight they wanted. There wasn't too much drama in the championship as we led be a good amount most of the way and ended up winning by 15 or so. Ryan, Brian, Kevin and Joey all played great games--again with some timely outside shooting and good inside post play. We were disappointed that Jess didn't shoot a three-pointer at the end, but I'm sure he will next year!
So, we emerged as the Alumni Tournament champions and got some slick t-shirts as a reward for our efforts. I can't think of a better prize. Lots of family members of my teammates were there. So good to see the parents of these guys. I had spent a lot of time in each of their houses during my high school years, so it was a real treat to see the Johnsens, Wells, Carlstons and Prices and remember the amazing support they always gave us over the years. I also was able to meet the wives of several of my teammates and Jed came back for the championship and brought Brooke with him. I only wish I'd been able to spend a bit more time with them this trip. So many dear friends, so little time.
After the game a group of us went to Eric's house (gorgeous by the way--well done Eric and Jenn) and enjoyed some pizza benders from IV and just sat around and talked and laughed. As usual, Joey had us all laughing at stories of his various misadventures--his life and death experience in Costa Rica was particularly memorable. I just basked in the fun of being with them all again. Memories galore! And very fine people, too. Thanks guys, for letting me come ball and hang out. I'm already looking forward to next year!
Here's a picture of the tourney champs. Go 92!
