Iowa Lightning - 1st Weekend = Big Success!

Elyse (white top 40) blocking out the 6'4" giant in semi-finals

Well, we all survived the first big roadtrip to Missouri for Elyse's first tournament with the Iowa Lightning.  We headed to Saline, Missouri after Elyse got home from track and arrived there at 12:30 AM.  Even Alex and Kirstin went along to cheer on their sister.



She shoots...she scores!  yeah Elyse!

 We can't say enough about how impressive the weekend was!  Elyse's basketball "family" is fabulous!  It is a wonderful organization that focuses on basketball as well as leadership and staying positive.  For only practicing together one time, Elyse's "red team" played great and ended up in the semi-finals.  Her coach wasn't there for the weekend as he was in a wedding, so they had Coach Carlson, the guy who founded the Iowa Lightning.  He was wonderful and full of energy!  Elyse totally clicked with him from the start. 



Posting up in game verse "The Rage"

 Throughout the weekend, Elyse had some "big girls" on her.  This was a great experience for her....she said it was great until she had to jumpball against a girl at least 6'4"!!!!  She said her first thoughts were, "Oh my gosh!".  She did well against her and even had her highest scoring game of the weekend in the semi-finals against a very strong team that eventually won the whole thing!  (The team of the "giant")



Team chat at time-out



Elyse (in black) rebound and put-back shot!



Elyse (in black #40) boxing out big girls of the "Rage"

 Between the first two games, all the girls and their families went to Applebees for a little "get to know you and bonding".  There were only 7 of the 12 girls there for the weekend but it was nice to meet those who could make it.   After listening to Coach Carlson talk, Kirstin and I decided we wanted to play for him.  :)  Awesome coach and very motivational.  After each game, when the team huddled up to "chat", he invited the parents to listen as well.  I can't stop talking about how impressive the coaches are (all 6 of them!)  The point that he says  that sticks in my mind is that they need to set their team duffel bags in a line with the Lightning logo facing out while playing or at all times.  He said this is because they are the "Lightning" and are proud of who they are.  They will play (as they shout) "Any one, any time, any where!!!"   And he said that while their lightning bolt may not feel real strong right now, it grows stronger and stronger as they continue as a team and play basketball to become great basketball players for the fall season. 

Wayne loved him simply because he knows Coach Finley, the ISU girls' basketball coach, and is a good friend of his.  That was all he had to say and Wayne knew he was hooked!  :)

Elyse played great basketball all weekend!  She turned it on more than I have ever seen as she had to against some big girls! After her second game, she sat down by me and was smiling.  I asked her if she was having fun and she said, "I really am Mom!".  That was all I needed to know this investment is a good one for Elyse. 

While Saline, Missouri, doesn't have a lot to offer tourist, it was a fabulous weekend for us watching basketball and bonding in the hotel.  While the drive home was long, it is just preparing us for the next one in two weeks in Kansas City (or around there).  Wayne and Alex got a round of golf in Saturday morning and the weather was 90+ when we left Sunday.  Great weekend of cheering on our Iowa Lightning girl, Elyse!
Proud of you Elyse!