Basketball Makes Me Beam With Pride at Lance and Brandon

Coaching was never meant to be long term.  One season of coaching was all that Lance intended to do.

Dylan grew up playing basketball at the recreation center, and when he was too old to play, he wanted to coach and though he was too old to play, he was also too young to coach.  Lance offered to volunteer coach so that Dylan would have the opportunity.  Three seasons later, Lance is still coaching.  He learned that he enjoyed coaching and though it is time-consuming and a big commitment, he receives so much personal satisfaction and reward from teaching these young kids and more importantly, building their self confidence.

 

Yesterday's playoff game

 

Lance played high-school basketball, and his team went to the state championship.  He also played for part of his freshman year at BYU alongside the famous Danny Ainge.  He loves the game.  Coincidentally, it is also my family's sport.  My brother and Dad played basketball.  Leroy, my brother, is actually very, very, very good.  When I was growing up, my dad often took us out to the courts to play two on two.  Dylan and Brandon are just as passionate about the game. 

Every basketball season, Lance gets attached to the children he coaches, but I think this season was even more special.  We went to a few pizza parties, and ALL the parents expressed gratitude and praises about Lance to me.  They loved how he actually taught the kids, and how unlike other coaches, he gave attention to every child and not just the top three players.  They said he was patient and attentive.  They loved his style, and the fact that the kids were learning.  In fact, the compliments progressed further....into actual action.  Lance normally coaches at the Fountain Valley Recreation Center, but this last season, he coached at Boys and Girls Club.  Two of his players on his team actually tried to transfer to play at the recreation center in the summer, because they wanted Lance to continue being their coach.  Instead of playing at the Boys and Girls Club, they wanted to play wherever Lance was coaching.  One of the players discovered she would have to play in a different division at the recreation center due to her age.   When she learned this, she opted to NOT play in the summer.  She  ONLY wanted to play under Lance.  Wow! I mean, really….WOW!  I am speechless.   What a huge compliment to Lance.  He made such an impact on this girl that she is willing to follow him.  At our last pizza party, Lance spoke individually to her about how great of a player she was, and how he really would like to have her on his team again, and how he would be looking her up in the Fall when he returns to the Boys and Girls Club to coach.  The sweet girl had tears in her eyes.

 

Mavericks:  Division B2, Boys and Girls Club

Mavericks with Dylan and Luke

 

One the players also has a brother who has cerebral palsy.  Luke is a great kid who attends every practice and every game.  He loves basketball too.  At every game and practice, Lance always shook Luke's hand and took time to talk to him.  At the last game of the season, Lance brought Luke up to sit with the team.  You should have seen the excitment from Luke.  His parents were taking photos of him sitting with the team.  He also gave Luke one of the medals for all the support he gave to the team.  It meant the world to Luke.   Things like this really bring tears to my eyes.  It shows such a tender side of Lance, and I beam with pride that he is my husband.

 

Lance with Luke and his medal

 

His team, the Mavericks, ended the season in 5^th place out of 8 teams.  They really grew as a team, and learned so much under my husband.  I’m very proud of all of them.

 
As much as the parents were complimentary to Lance, they shared mutual respect, admiration, and praises about Brandon.  Brandon is the best, most skilled and experienced player on the team, and he has such a gift to be an extraordinary leader.  He does not abuse his talent or power, but he uses his leadership to help elevate the other players.  He shares the ball.  He does everything he can to help his team become better players.  He encourages them.  One of the players on the team, the least experienced and youngest, made her first two baskets because of Brandon.  He told her to get close to the basket, and he would do everything he could to get the ball to her so that she could shoot.  He kept doing this until she finally scored.  Her face lit up with shock and pride, and you know what?  It was because of my son.  He could easily assume the role as the star and his ego could inflate, but he is modest, caring, and so unselfish.  As much as I am proud of Lance, I am  even more proud of Brandon.  At such a young age, he is showing such compassion and maturity.  He is the epitome of a true leader who does everything they can to help their teammates.



my little speedy point guard

Brandon shoots a free throw

 

This season I am moved to tears.  It wasn't just about the great game of basketball.  It's about building character, and through this season,  I saw the goodness of character in my husband and son.  I feel such pride.