All Good Things Come to An End! Including Lightning!

Iowa Lighting Red Team, 3rd place Pella Tournament

We just got home from Elyse's last tournament with the Iowa Lightning.  The girls played well overall and ended up placing 3rd, again.  Elyse said she really wanted to win this tournament and end with a 1st place medal, but they were glad to get 3rd place.  They ended up losing in overtime due to a "hail mary" 3 point shot that the other team made to put us in overtime and then another one to win.  That put us 2 and 1 as of Saturday night.  Sunday we were the number 2 seed in the A/Championship bracket and ended up losing to a team we have beaten before, but the girls weren't quite ready at 8:00 AM this morning.  Elyse, on the other hand, had one of her best games and had a LOT of points with great defense!  She was bummed as she wanted to get in the championship game, but being we lost, we ended up playing for 3rd place.....and were successful at it once again winning by lots of points as well again. 

While my car is glad to have some time off, the girls were all a little sadden to see it come to an end.  Elyse put on facebook "Sad to play my last game with the Lightning today (until next year)"  She also put a chant on there that the Lightning girls sometimes say and that she will miss her "team".  Kind of brought tears to my eyes.  After the pictures were done and everyone was getting ready to go, a bunch of us moms were hugging and everything like we were family so it was nice, yet sad.  This has probably been the best experience for Elyse, not only for pushing her a little more in basketball, but for gaining confidence, life skills, and so many more freat friends! It has been great for our family as well (the kids and Wayne enjoyed the swimming pool time yesterday at the hotel...they were CRAZY)

Coach told the team to be proud of who they are, be leaders in their school, and of course, keep playing basketball.  He also told them he was so proud of them.....and they just stared at him with puppy eyes.....very precious moment (I think some may have a slight crush on him but it was still cute....)

When Elyse was saying goodbye to Coach Doud, he asked her if she enjoyed it (of course she said yes) and then he asked her if she will be back next year....I looked at her and she instantly said "yes" with a smile.  He said he was glad to hear that! We were glad to hear it as well! 

Thanks go Gma Janet and Papa for venturing to Pella on Saturday and watching three games in the HOT field house......Elyse appreciated and so do we!  She loves all your support!

No time to waste though, she got home this afternoon and has to go to a volleyball scrimmage tonight before I run her down to UNI at 6:30 am for a volleyball camp there for 2 days and return for a basketball camp here in Cresco.  I am exhausted for her....and I know she will be ready for vacation coming up in a few days.....but who is counting down????? (me)

Great season of Lightning basketball Elyse!  We are proud of you and loved every minute of it!  Until next year.....