Hoop Shooting

Back in November, Jake came home and informed us he won a basketball contest at school and was to represent Granville Elementary at the town competition. We kinda blew him off not getting what he was talking about until his PE teacher called to let us know he made the most free throws in his class and qualified to represent his school at the Elks Lodge Hoop Shoot Competition for all of Prescott and Prescott Valley. She said he not only made the most free throws in his class, but in the whole school, 5th and 6th graders included.

He went to the PV Hoop Shoot and wouldn't you know it, he won that too.

So then it was prepping for the AZ North District competition in Chino Valley. That was yesterday. We recently got a basketball hoop so he has spent all his time shooting free throws.

We got there yesterday and it felt like I had walked into a funeral. I have never in my whole entire life been in a gym so quiet. There was absolutely no talking, drinking of water bottles, cheering, clapping or noise of any kind. Apparently the kids needed all the quiet in the world in order to concentrate.

The boys shot on half and the girls the other half. They were sat down in chairs to quietly, patiently wait their turn to shoot. Jake drew number one, so he was up first. He made 6 of 10 in the first round (tying him for first place) and then had to wait while the 10 other kids shot for him to have his turn in the second round. That one didn't go quite as well as he only made about 5 of 15 (though he insists he made 8 of 15). He ended the competition making 11/25, or 14/25 if you ask Jake.

I'm not making excuses for Jake, but I will say this, he was up against a bunch of kids of a certain ethnicity that is native to America that can shoot like no one's business. Once they get in the zone, they can throw up shots with their eyes closed all from right below their shoulder. I don't know how they do it, and I'm gonna get accused of being a racist, but really I'm quite amazed at the consistency. The winner made 17 out of 25 (making 14 of 15 in the second round and then 5 of 5 in the tie breaker, he was in the zone) and I'm thinking he was probably a 16 year old competing in the 10 and 11 year old group. He was quite large. Where do people breed kids so big? I certainly don't know the secret.

Anyway, it was a great opportunity for Jake and he was an amazing sport. He didn't get down on himself and I never once heard him say how bad "he sucks!" It's very aggravating as a parent to hear my child say that all the time - sorry Mom and Dad.

We'll see how he does next year. And if I know Jake, he'll probably start working on perfecting his free throws now.

Good work Jake!

These were our only pictures, as we weren't allowed any flash photography - Jeremy took these on his phone. Notice all the giants behind Jake. Jake is barely touching his feet to the ground, while the other boys were playing with their beards.