Weekend Scoop-Part I

 Erica has been spending her weekends running up and down the basketball court competing in basketball tournaments.  Most tournaments Norfolk Catholic has two 5th Grade teams because of the number of girls playing.  Each week the girls are mixed up again and teams are changed.

 So far this club season, she has played in the YMCA tournament, Wayne tournament, Hartington CC tournament, and the David City tournament.  I'm not sure if we have one or two tournaments left. 

Erica scoring her first two points of the season.

 Erica started off the season as just being comfortable on defense.  But, as the season has progressed she has started to shoot the ball.  At the Wayne tournament she scored her first two points and it gave her the confidence to shoot more often.

The smile on her face was huge after scoring two points.

 In Hartington, she lit up the nets with 8 points in one game.  She even hit two free throws that game.  In David City, she didn't score any points, but it was tough for our girls competing against a taller 6th grade team from Wahoo.  They also played Seward and David City in the tournament.  It was a tournament against different schools than what they have seen in other tournaments.

 It was a weekend filled with sports and sitting on bleachers.  Friday night and Saturday morning we had little kids wrestling followed up with basketball and volleyball on Sunday.

Take care,
Michelle

Sidney's 14th Birthday!

These three girls, Emma, Sidney and Cara have become such good friends over the course of this school year.  Sidney is in 8th Grade and Emma and Cara are 7th Graders.  But, the junior high girls usually have practices at the same time.  Their parents and siblings have also become better friends.  We all have many years to come of sitting in bleachers together.

The girls' last basketball tournament also happened to be Sidney's 14th Birthday.  Sidney's Mom, Tina, brought treats for the team to eat after the last game.

Bailey is Sidney's youngest sister, who also happens to be in Justin's class.  Bailey is like another little sister to Cara.

These two have been together since Preschool.  But, this year they have really become good friends. 

During basketball season, they both play down low.  During volleyball, Emma is a setter while Cara is a hitter.  Emma sets the ball to Cara for the spike.

Take care,
Michelle

Cara's Basketball Season is Over

Cara's basketball season was finally over a couple weeks ago.  It was the longest sport season!  She has been practicing basketball since October.  First, she played 7th Grade junior high basketball and then she moved right into club basketball at school.

 

 Since the 7th grade girls had to play up with the 8th grade girls for club ball, Cara spent a lot of time sitting the bench.  She went to practices and tournaments, but did not get to play hardly at all during club games.

 As parents, we made her finish the season and stick it out because once you start something you finish it.  It was a long season and she was so ready for it to be over.

 The last tournament was at our school.  Emma #36 and Cara both did not want to even go to the tournament that day, but as parents we made them go.  When they finally got to go in, as a parent I was shocked and had my camera ready for a few last photos of the season.

 After not being able to play last year because of her wrist being broken, this season she started slow.  It took her awhile to get aggressive and learn and practice fundamentals.  She improved throughout the season.

 She has definitely learned to play better defense and to use her long arms and legs. 

 Cara got a rebound in this photo and she is holding on to the ball protecting it from the other team.

The #50 on the Eagles team is Lexi.  Cara and Lexi used to be in dance together for years.  To have them defending each other, was a friendship renewed on the court. 

Cara has already moved on to volleyball.  She played four games last Sunday in Columbus.  The 7th Grade girls won 4 sets and lost 4 sets.  Mid-March she will start going to track practice.  She is already planning sports camps for the summer.

Take care,
Michelle

Little Kids Wrestling

We have a very excited little boy at our house.  Last Thursday, Dad took him to the meeting to sign up for little kids wrestling at school.  Justin got to try on and bring home a Norfolk Catholic Knights singlet.  He starts practice this week and is going to Creighton on Friday for a tournament and has the Norfolk Catholic tournament on Saturday.  Justin weighed in at a whopping 44.9 pounds.

He is so excited that he gets to compete in a sport again instead of sitting in a gym watching his sisters compete.  We are sure that there may be a few tears shed when he loses or gets taken down, but hopefully he has fun and learns to compete and show sportsmanship by both winning and losing.  His three older sisters may turn out to be his best and biggest supporters.  They are excited to see him compete also.

He has been wearing his singlet around the house and the first night he wanted to wear it to bed.  We hope this is a great experience for Justin!

Take care,
Michelle

Another Sport Another Season

 For the last few months everything has been about basketball and we are still playing club basketball for a couple more weeks.  But, if you look close at these photos, you can see a different ball being bumped and set in these photos.  Yes, Cara is moving back to volleyball for the month of March.

 Cara has been practicing about once a week during the month of February to get ready to play in March.  Every Sunday in March, Cara and her fellow 7th Graders will play in a volleyball league in Columbus.  They will play 4 games every Sunday.

 Last Sunday in between basketball games, Cara had time to go to a volleyball practice.  She is so much more comfortable playing a game with that ball.

 The girls practiced drills in the wrestling room due to all the courts being used for basketball games.  They practiced bumping, setting, and moving their feet to the ball.  Then they moved over into the weight room and Coach Fisher showed them the proper technique to do a few lifts.

Take care,
Michelle

Erica Turns 11

Erica's 11th birthday was on Thursday!  She had a sleepover for her birthday on Friday with three friends.  First activity was a few games of bowling with Justin and Ashlin joining in on the fun.

 After bowling, the girls came back to our house to eat Taco John's.  Tacos and potato ole's were just what the girls needed to recharge.  Then they headed for the basement to laugh, play Wii games and eat candy from their Valentine parties at school.

 Bedtime for the girls was 11:00 because they had to play in a basketball tournament on Saturday afternoon and we could not have tired girls.

 It is hard to believe that our blue-eyed blonde daughter is already 11 years old.  I think she has had a smile on her face since her birth.  Erica is always happy and smiling!  She loves to hang out with her friends and just be goofy!

Take care,
Michelle

5th Grade Club Scrimmage

The 5th Grade girls at Norfolk Catholic have 18 girls out for club basketball.  Therefore, the girls are usually divided into two teams to give every girl a chance to play at this level.  They are still learning fundamentals and how to play as a team.

 Two weeks ago, one half of the girls had a scrimmage against the girls from Lutheran High Northeast and then a week ago the other half had a scrimmage against the same team.  It was just a practice scrimmage, have a game and no score was kept.

 Erica has never played basketball before and she is busy learning fundamentals.  She is learning to play more aggressive, but still be in control.

 This scrimmage was a great warm-up before they start playing in tournaments in the weeks to come.

 Erica is having a good time, getting some exercise, and hanging out with her classmates and friends.

Take care,
Michelle