A Lot To Catch Up On

Hello Coffee Card Enthusiasts!

It's been two weeks since I last posted, but I should be back for a little bit.

The last two weeks have been long, very long.

Last time I posted, I mentioned coaching an AAU team and only having two weeks to get a team ready. 

Well, we got a team ready and we played our four game tournament this weekend.

SATURDAY:

It started off very ugly. For some reason, the tournament had us lined up against a much tougher, stronger and Shaq sized team of 5th/6th graders.

 

We trailed 28-1 at half and ended up losing that one 44-2. It was about as ugly as you can imagine. But, the team shouldn't have been in our league to begin with.

 

The next game, well, we didn't fair too well there but at least played someone at our level. We played against four of the girls, out of ten, I coached during the regular season. Even though I switched up some play names, they knew what was coming and we lost another lopsided game.

SUNDAY:

Sunday we were supposed to play that 5th/6th team again but thanks to a few emails, they rearranged the schedule for us and we played the same team twice four hours apart.

The first game we lost a closer one, 16-8.

The second one, well....

We lost again, this time 24-5.

After that, I told the girls that despite the outcomes of our games, that didn't reflect the hard work, the sacrifice, the heart and soul they put out on the court. Not too mention, every team we played has been practicing together and already been in tournaments for a couple months. We only had two weeks, 8 practices, to put this together. On top of that, only twice did we have a full team practice together. It wasn't going to be an easy task in general, but I am so, so proud of what they did learn and put together in terms of teamwork in that short time.

I think if next time we had been given a month of full team practice at least to get things into place, my "family system" takes awhile, I think they would have had a better chance.

But, once again, I am proud.

And once again, I gave them cupcakes, cookies, a small gift card so each one of them could get an ice cream and of course some cards.

 

Also, we didn't go completely empty handed in this tournament. We won the Sportsmanship Award which was this ball. The girls were all "fighting" over it and where it should go, so the assistant coach handed it to me and said it's Coach Matts. I will display this proudly.

I have already been in contact with the Tournament organizer about possibly doing it again next year and he seemed to be all for it and praised me for my coaching of the girls and how appreciated how I did with them. That also coming from my Athletic Director as well.

So, for now, that will be to be continued.....

*holds basketball, smiles back on all of the memories made the last two weeks*

Another thing that has kept me busy the last couple of weeks has been college. I am down to the nitty gritty and need to finish weekly assignments along with three final projects that are very timely. Just three more weeks left!!! 

Well, then there will be summer classes.

Speaking of summer, I will be having shoulder surgery. The right shoulder I injured last year has a new updated MRI and it showed a small labrum tear which is why it's still nagging and lingering. That will be fixed on June 10th (I think that was the day). It will take me out of any kind of sports for the summer as I will not be using it for four months. But, will be ready for basketball coaching season.

I am hoping to do a couple more quick posts on here and I really need to update my card numbers for 2026 instead of keeping them written down on a piece of paper.

 

And I also need to sort out and check out my next big mail day from the amazing blog reader Grady. No, these aren't unopened wax, but contain goodies probably better than any wax box can provide.

*eagerly awaits the opening*

I have been back and forth with schoolwork along with this post and it has now taken me two hours to write.

So, I need to stop it here and get myself to bed to start everything all over again tomorrow. Which will also include a new post.

Have a good sleep.

*Coffee Card Blogger Out*