Ethen had a basketball tournament last weekend. His team is usually in the "big" gyms now that he's in 8th grade. This means a few things: taller bleachers, more fans, and the players sit with their backs to the fans between the bleachers and the court.
For both of his tournament games, his team played in the "small" gym, which meant these things: the players sat on the opposite side of the court facing the fans, we sat on the floor two feet from the court, Jason was on high alert to keep me from getting pinged with a basketball, and my favorite...we could see his leadership on the court.
He called plays and responsibilities. "I got shooter! I got shooter!" "Gerrard, call you've got shooter!"
He gave slaps on the back after every freethrow. He gave high fives for everyone coming on and off the bench.
He told his teammates where they should be.
He hustled. He worked. I don't think I've ever seen him so intense for so long during a basketball game.
J and I would lean into each other periodically and I would say, "Did you see him just check on Josh? His teammate goes down and he's the one to check on him." J wore that quiet pride all day.
Alex was proud of his brother, too. He asked me multiple times, "Did you get that picture? Let me see!"
Way to be, #3. Great leadership out there.
