In the Background
sports
Toppled
The Boy's basketball team took down an undefeated team in today's game. K and I didn't know that they were undefeated until the end, but I suspected: with about half of the third quarter remaining, down 14-8, a boy from the opposing team seemed like it was all he could do to keep back the tears, and he continued in this state until the end of the game. The Boy's team lost their first game just a couple of weeks ago, so we know how that stings.
As for pictures -- only one. From long ago.
Games and Sorting
First Tournament of the Season
Basketball Practice
Basketball Game
Games
During lunch today, one of the teachers arranged (i.e., asked the principal) to have the World Cup shown in the cafeteria while everyone ate.
Poland versus Mexico. Everyone in the cafeteria was rooting for Mexico -- except for one teacher.
In the evening, the Boy's basketball practice. He hasn't played basketball in several years: in fact, when he last played, he was young enough that double-dribbling was not an issue, and the basket was much lower. Now, just like off-sides is a thing in soccer, double-dribbling is a threat in basketball.
Having little experience puts him at a disadvantage with some of the boys who clearly have had much more time on the court. Still, his teammates are supportive as, naturally, is his coach.
Upper-State Championship
Only one thing stood between our girls and their first appearance in the state volleyball finals: Dorman High School. They've beaten our girls a number of times, but we've taken them once or twice as well. However, there was a special reason to win tonight (beyond just advancing, of course): last year, in the quarter-finals, they beat us. So it was time for some revenge.
Our girls didn't quite beat them 3-0: they lost the second set, but came back to take the next two for a 3-1 win. The State newspaper already had a story about it less than an hour after:
For the third time in program history, the Lexington High School volleyball team will play for a state championship. The Wildcats defeated powerhouse Wando 3-1 (25-21, 25-21, 18-25, 25-17) on the road Tuesday to win the Class 5A Lower State championship. Lexington will face Mauldin for the state title Saturday at Dreher High School.
Mauldin defeated Dorman, 3-1, in the Upper State championship. It is the Mavericks’ first championship appearance.
The State
Next opponent, last opponent: Lexington.
Throw In
It's heartbreaking to watch the Boy's team, who has won only one game this year, take a 1-0 lead in the first half only to lose 1-2. But the Boy had a great game.
"I'd say we should move him up to attack," said one of the parents, "but he's our best defender, too."
Wednesday
Students today began an incredibly short Halloween unit that will focus on irony, so we did a quick review of irony with a gallery walk. It's always a fun activity: the kids move around the room, looking at various images or texts and discuss them with a particular end in mind. Today, for example, they were to determine how each image was ironic.
"Don't just explain what's going on in the picture," I clarified after we'd done a quick review of what irony is. "If you don't explain the expectation and how that expectation was defied, you haven't explained irony."
In the evening, the Boy and I went out to find basketball shoes for him as he begins his basketball season.
At first, I was hesitant: "They're somewhat expensive," I texted K, "and I don't really know that he needs them."
"He only has one pair of shoes," she replied, "so he'll need another pair soon enough."
I looked at him: "Will you wear these to school after basketball season?"
"Of course!"