We Are The Champions!

This afternoon Valley Jr. High's boys' basketball team faced Churchill Jr. High in a battle for the Granite School District Championship. Our boys went in undefeated and have played some amazing games. We all believed they could do this, and our school needed this win so badly! If there ever was a school that needed to be united by good it is Valley Jr. High. We spend our days in a run down over 60 year old school surrounded by a poor reputation. It has been time for a while now for something good to happen for our school. This opportunity brought our student body together in a way I've never seen before. Let's go Ligers!
It was a hard game with mistakes made, but our boys did it! They won! They beat Churchill 57 to 56. I seriously almost cried. I am so proud of all of these boys and I have gotten to know several of them this year really well. I hope they all know how much I care about them (even though they often drive me crazy). If I've ever been close to knowing what it feels like to be a proud parent today was the day.

Our team just after the final buzzer sounded.

We got to take a bus load of kids with us to the game. It was so fun to sit across the gym and watch them cheer and show Liger Pride.

When the game was over the boys were each given a chance to cut down a piece of the net from the basket. It was so much fun to watch. They took this very seriously, and several of them separated themselves from the group and sat quietly watching what was going on around them. They are just such great boys!

I took as many pictures of this moment as I could. This is Nick, an amazing player.

These are 2 of my boys, Magdi and Tani. Yes, I said, MY boys. They are Counseling Center aides during 4A and I just love them. They have caused me a lot of embarrassment in the last 2 weeks with a certain guy who comes to our school because they have decided he and I will be getting married. They have designated themselves as his wingmen, and spend a lot of time quizzing me about myself. As obnoxious as they can be I just think the world of them. Tani came over to me after the game and gave me a little hug. I just want the very best things for both of them.

Here's a picture with Tani actually smiling. It took us 4 or 5 tries, but I got it! And, yes, they really are that much bigger than me. I am pretty much smaller than most of the students at my school.

Starting on the left and working your way around the circle: Kylon (another favorite), E, Magdi, and dear old Tani.

And, here's the winning team. Coach Freeman is on the far right. I'm sure he's feeling very proud tonight. He certainly deserves it!