Our Own March Madness

Since our team lost in their first-round game last week, we haven’t watched another basketball game on TV. Instead, we have created our own version of March Madness, with many different versions of the game of basketball. The specific game depends on the weather and the time of day.

First thing in the morning (while still in our pajamas and usually before breakfast), Ryan and I play “pajama ball.” We have an enclosed porch on the back of our house which holds bikes, scooters, various sporting equipment, and our 72-hour backpacks. It is also where we keep Ryan’s indoor basketball standard. His favorite thing upon waking in the morning is an energetic get-the-heart-pumping game of basketball on the porch. He likes it when I watch him, but he loves it when I play with him. There have been many Saturday mornings when I am looking forward to sleeping in, when (as I am lying in bed at 7:30 a.m.) I hear bounce-bounce-bounce…kerthunk… “Yea!” Bounce-bounce-bounce…kerthunk… “Yea!” Bounce-bounce-bounce…kerthunk… “Yea! Mom! Come and watch this awesome shot!” So much for sleeping in.

A slightly different version can be played at any time of day (not in pajamas) when it is raining, snowing, or otherwise not pleasant enough to play outside. The porch is not heated, and is extremely chilly in the early morning hours or winter weather, but it’s better than playing outside (or not playing at all).

We have a double driveway. One side has a basketball standard. There is a flat parcel of concrete big enough for a car or two. Then our driveway slopes sharply down a hill; a hill which continues all the way down the street in front of our house (we are at the top of a “T” intersection). This week was Ryan’s Spring Break. Since we finally had some warm weather, we spent a lot of time playing basketball outside. We had a great time playing; cheered for each other when we made awesome shots, and teased each other about a few air balls. And, just in case a normal game of basketball didn’t provide enough exercise, if one of us missed a pass, or if the ball hit the backboard too hard, our basketball game became more of a get-the-ball-before-it’s-a-mile-down-the-hill game.

So, if your team is no longer in the big dance and you’re going through basketball withdrawal, you’re welcome to come and shoot hoops with us.