Lightning Basketball in Des Moines

Elyse (in black) jump ball against Ballers

She shoots...she scores



Lightning Team (minus 2) with Coach Doud

 We returned from a three day tournament for Elyse's Lightning basketball team in Des Moines.  It was a fun weekend of "up and down" basketball. Elyse said she preferred the bigger city tournaments that this as this was a smaller one compared to the others, but it was good.   Elyse did well a few games, but could have done better others.  That is how the game goes I guess.  Her team did make it to the "A Bracket" for her division so that was great!  They won 2 of the 3 first games to get placed there.  Elyse had a great start to the tournament scoring in double digits the first game.  She also ended the tournament with one of her best games as well, making great points and excellent defense on a girl who was supposably a "senior" and big.  She ran off after that game wishing she played that way all weekend. 

Elyse's grandma and g'pa came down for part of the tournament.  We had a nice family dinner Friday evening at the Spagetti Factory before sitting in a very hot gym for the rest of the evening!  Elyse's last game was at 9:40 so it was late when we returned.  G'ma and Papa proudly wore their "Lightning T-shirts" to Elyse's game on Saturday before heading home.  It was fun having them there and meeting some of Elyse's Lightning Family.

There was some "down time" during the weekend so Wayne and Alex hit the golf course while Elyse and I headed to Jordan Creek Mall.  Saturday evening we had a super meal at an Asian resteraunt where they make the meal right in front of  you as you sit around the table.  The Galvins, family friends of ours, were also in Des Moines for a wrestling tournament for their son so they joined us.  It was super fun, kids loved it, and we were all stuffed!!!!!Ended the evening with a nice beverage with Mike and Paula.  They were also so kind to get to one of the Lightning games late Friday night so that was nice.  Sadly, it was probably the worse game the Lightning played the whole weekend, but it was still nice of them to come. 

A sad thing happened this weekend to one of Elyse's Lightning teammates.  Cara, Elyse's teammate, lost her brother early Saturday morning as he died as he rolled his truck.  Cara was there at the tournament Friday night, heading back to play softball Saturday and returning to Des Moines to finish basketball tournament (yes, she is dedicated!).  Elyse got the news Saturday morning from her thru a text she sent Elyse.  When we got to the tournament, Elyse and Coach Doud only knew and broke the news to the team.  While it was a terribly sad moment, the rest of the weekend pulled the team together as Cara showed up Sunday to finish the tournament.  It was emotional when she returned as the team had their picture taken the previous day, matted and framed it and all wrote messages to her around the matting.  They gave it to her Sunday, and there was not a dry tear in the hallway....it was one of the moments you won't forget as it was the true definition of how a team supports one another.  The parents, at the moment, of the Lightning girls, couldn't have been prouder of their girls or cared if they won or lost the rest of the games. What was more tender was when we started our first game for the Sunday in the A Bracketing, guess who scored the first basket for the Lightning........Cara! It was a very emotional moment.   So sorry for your loss Cara and family.  Brothers are our heroes....I know mine was......

We are all adjusting to our life on the "road" this summer.  Elyseand I are heading back in Des Moines Wednesday night for practice, come home, and turn around to head to Wichita, Kansas, Thursday thru Sunday.  It is a HUGE tournament, 700 total teams from all levels, boys and girls, and said to be an awesome weekend of spectacular basketball.  Her team is guaranteed 5 games, but we are hoping for more by getting some big wins.  Some of the teams she faced in Kansas City will be there.....paybacks!  We got an email from her coaches this morning to get some of the paint that you use to write on windows and let our daughters write Lightning verbage all over our cars as we head to Wichita.  They are pumped!  (The question is whether Wayne will LET her write all over his windows of his Expedition.  :)))

We will also be celebrating Alex's birthday in Wichita as my baby boy turns 13 this weekend!  Yikes!  Look for pictures of that to come as well!