PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Support at the High School level is a game changer
“We just beat last year’s State Champions!” echoed from the locker room as my assistant coaches and I gathered to enter for our post-game talk. The girls continued, “And did you see the crowd? Our entire student section was standing and cheering…for a GIRL’S BASKETBALL GAME!”
We walked in. Need I say more.
Seated on the bench in front of me there are eight girls who are totally invested in our program and more importantly in one another. This is a special team.
And this team has support that is unprecedented. It hasn’t always been this way, high school athletics are under a lot of scrutiny these days, but this year we have complete support and I know the players feel it. We have an administration that cares, an athletic director that has our backs, a phenomenal coaching staff, a parent group like no other and a community that is engaged with their local team.
Our girls put in the hard work every day to prepare for the games, but the support for our program is the game changer.
Find a way to support your local high school programs.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Learning How To Walk In Peace
This weekend I had a woman, who is trained in self-defense, come to the gym to work with our girl’s basketball program. (We did this last year too, and both times it’s been a hit.) The girls have a blast and I love knowing that they are that much more prepared for life. Thanks so much to Sheri Hashemi (International Krav Maga Seattle) for her time and energy in working with our girls!
“International Krav Maga Seattle’s mission is to provide practical self-defense training to those who seek the knowledge so that they too can walk in peace.”
It’s important to be prepared for life and remember to always walk in peace.
WRITING PROMPT: What does “Walking in Peace” mean to you?
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: One Day At A Time
The high school girls that I coach had another big win this week. I’m happy for them, they have worked hard thus far to get in shape and develop their basketball skills. Still, they have a long road a head of them if they want to achieve all of the lofty, yet attainable, goals that they have set for themselves this year.
One day at a time.
A philosophy that works on and off the court…
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Check One Thing Off Your List
The house is quiet and I like it. The Holiday break this year was amazing but there is nothing like a silent house that helps me to unwind, even when I’ve got a long list of things to do already this New Year. The quiet makes it all seem less daunting.
I woke up early this morning, threw in a load of laundry, made lunches for my kids to take to school and then pulled out my dreaded paperwork. I figured I should knock things off my To-Do list right away. I have ASB and Booster Club deposits and expense reports to complete for basketball, so I spread papers and recipes across the kitchen table, (it felt like I had started on my taxes early this year, which I probably should) and got to work. It was nice to start the process, because it’s the paperwork that alway hangs over my head. Like most people (I’ve heard complaints), I hate it, but there is nothing better than the feeling I get when it’s done.
So with my paperwork complete and a quiet house and late practice ahead of me, I will have the perfect opportunity to carve out some writing time.
Check one thing off your New Years To-Do list and feel lighter.
WRITING PROMPT #1: Write a list of things you need to do in 2015. Write a list of things you WANT to do in 2015.
WRITING PROMPT #2: Kelly hated making New Years Resolutions so instead she…
Meet Sonya
Meet Sonya
Sonya Elliott’s memoir, Back on the Court: A Young Woman’s Triumphant Return to Life, Love & Basketball, is her story of finding hope in the wake of tragedy after she and her fiancé were hit by a train. She blogs about writing, basketball, and life and is currently working on a Young Adult Novel and a Non-Fiction Coaching book. Stories of her career as a fashion model are woven through her memoir, as both the Soloflex and Easy Spirit Shoes commercials were filmed during that time period, and this unique and intriguing business continues to be a part of her life.
Sonya played basketball at Eastern Washington University and was a starter for the Big Sky Champion team that went to the 1987 NCAA tournament. She coached for almost 25 years and was voted Seattle Times Coach of the Year, Seattle Officials Women’s Basketball Association Coach of the Year, and twice voted Metro League Coach of the Year. She loves the game of basketball and is thankful, not only for her husband and kids but for her ability to continue to get back on the court.
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PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Tired Team? Time For Some TLC
This part of the season can get long, for both players and coaches. I’m not coaching this year, but my daughter reminded me of the fact yesterday (I’m visiting her at college where she is playing basketball). She said that she and her teammates are all really tired right now and having a hard time getting motivated. Suddenly I was transported back my years as a coach, and I remembered the look on the players faces, uninspired, distracted, anxious (finals were usually taking place at this time) and bored. They were burnt out and tired. Tired, not because they were out of shape (like my husband insisted) but mentally fried. It happened every year.
This was always the moment that I felt the urge to run them until they wanted to cry. Go all “old school” on […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Opportunity
Recently, when I was frustrated with the way I was playing, I reminded myself of how lucky I am just to be on the basketball court, working out and hanging out with my teammates. So I dug a little deeper and kept at it and when the game was over (though we lost by two points) I was thankful that I had been there. Thankful that I can still play this game that I love.
When you’re frustrated with your game. Keep working and remind yourself of why you play.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: The Write Place
Where is your favorite place to write? I’m enjoying testing out different coffee shops in my neighborhood. And it’s interesting that each one has done its job and helped me to sit down and focus on writing. I don’t allow myself to get on the Internet; I just grab some tea, find a table, open my computer and write. It’s a beautiful thing.
Last Tuesday when a table behind me got really chatty I found that the noise melted away as I began to write, when I got chilly at another place I simply asked for more hot water for my tea and wrapped my scarf around my neck and last Friday when the only spot left in my chosen café was a battered old sofa, I thought about driving to a different location but instead curled up with my […]
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