By Matt Evans and Al Jampsa
Every morning, between 25 and 30 Mini-School students gather in the gym to start their school day playing basketball. We are into our third year starting our school day this way and think these games have helped us in our school performance and in our lives. Besides improving our physical condition over the years, basketball provides much more for all the students.
There are usually two games going in the morning, one with high intensity and the other with more of a relaxed atmosphere. Several other students play shooting games, but no one is allowed to just sit (or else they are reminded there is a chair for them in the classroom!). Because there are more than ten players who like the high intensity game, showing up early is a priority to be one of the first ten there or else wait to sub in. Although no one keeps score, LaKaysa Bollig has been keeping shooting and rebounding statistics and figuring out shooting percentages for the players.
There is this guy with a graying beard and goofy-looking goggles who pretends to know something about the game and plays in one or the other every day. Actually, we like having him out there because he shows us that there’s more to the game than scoring, and all the players benefit from his preference to pass the ball rather than shoot. As a result, all the players learn in time to move the ball with the pass rather then dribble — in other words, teamwork. As competitive as the games are, players learn in time to compliment good play by opponents as well as teammates. As we learn to shoot better, use screens, block out for rebounds, pass, play tough defense, etc.., the games improve and the demands on our conditioning improve. We also have more fun.
We have also learned the ups and downs of the game. Recently, Josh Boudreau made ten shots in thirteen attempts one day, and three shots on sixteen attempts on the next day. Some days you’re hot and the next day you’re not, but you keep on working at it. We have all improved knowing that persistence and perseverance pays (not only in basketball).
We always have to end the game by making a three point shot before we can go on break. Some days it’s made on the first attempt, but most days, several attempts are necessary, and occasionally, most of our break is used before we sink one. Although there are several long-range shooters like Boudreau, Nick Merchant, Ed Gudis, Jeff McGinn, James Froemming, Matt Evans, Shaun Molland, et.al., the last shot is just as often made by players who are more effective playing inside the are, like Aaron Sapp, Al Jampsa, Sam Maeder, Matt Sherman, Matt Thompson, Matt Holler, Dan Jorgenson, Dan Jensen, Marti Norris, Lakaysa Bollig, et.al.
BEST INSIDE SHOOTER- JOSHB.
BEST OUTSIDE SHOOTER- NICKM.
BEST DEFENSE- ED GUDIS
SMARTEST PASSER- RANDY T. NELSON
MOST IMPROVED- MATT HOLLER, SAM M.
NEEDS TO PASS MORE- AL JAMPSA
LUCKIEST SHOT- DAN JENSEN
BEST REBOUNDER- SAM M. (he’s a foot taller then everyone)
MOST STEALS- AARON SAPP
BIGGEST CHEAP SHOT- RANDY T. NELSON (he steps on your toes)
BEST BALL HANDLER- MATT SHERMAN
NEEDS TO PLAY MORE- DAN JORGENSON, JAMES F.
BIGGEST TRASH TALKER- LAKAYSA BOLLIG
MOST COMPETITIVE- MATT THOMPSON
CLUTCH SHOOTER- MATT EVANS