Big Tournament in Wichita....Success!

turning around.....

The family loaded up again Thursday night to head to Wichita, Kansas, for Elyse's next Lightning tournament.  This was the furthest one for the team and also the biggest one as there were 700 teams present at all levels.  It was very impressive and the organization was using 90 gyms throughout the area.  It would have been cool to play at Wichita University, but they used that for the older groups of girls.....next time! :)

This tournament was a kick off for the summer league and had teams


making a beautiful shot!



double teamed now



Lots of shoving between the two during this game



Elyse shooting...number 40

from all over.  Colorada to Texas!

Elyse's team did well and came back after a rough start.  The team had lots of turnovers the first two games and sometimes looked like they hadn't played basketball before. The sad part was they could have beaten both teams but had way too many turnovers.  They came back and played a team they had played before, The Force, and almost beat them.  The Force ended up getting 2nd place so the Lightning felt great with how they came out and almost beat them in pool play.  With that positive, the Lightning came back and won some games to end up playing for 5th or 6th place.  Out of 45 teams in their pool play, and 8 going to the Championship bracket, the team was very please making it this far and coming back.  It went down to the last minute, but we couldn't pull it off and ended up getting 6th.  You would have thought we were playing for the Championship though as some of the other Lightning teams were there cheering our Lightning Red team on and it was close!  Fun way to end the tournament.....although 5th place got nice, big medals. Sixth place got.......nothing!  :)

It was nice to have my aunt, Sheila, attend one of the games Friday night as she lives a few hours from Wichita.  Elyse and I also had a nice lunch with Sheila and my cousin, Kourtney, who is a Dr on part of her "rotation"? in Wichita.  We had a nice chat and loved the time with them.  Elyse's favorite part was the chocolate afterwards from this chocolate boutique!  :)  She wanted to go back for more on Sunday before we headed home as it was so good!  So thanks Sheila and Kourtney for spending some time with us and the great conversation over lunch!  It was wonderful!