Thursday, March 15, 2007
The Dance Ends Early
It is not Sunday morning.
Yes, that is perhaps the most obvious statement that you’ve heard on this fine day. Yet I say this for a reason. As you remember, I had promised an update on the results of Maribel’s basketball game on the Sabbath morn. As you can clearly see, I did not provide that update. I shall therefore, at this time, attempt to provide the promised update.
So that I do not keep you in suspense, I will first offer the results. On Saturday, Maribel and her mates prevailed again, in dominant fashion, winning 70 – 38. After a rest day Sunday, they were unable to continue their season, losing 80 – 77 in a terrific game.
In the first game, their strategy was to tire their opponents out by pounding the ball inside to the mighty Maribel and let her show her stuff. She had 18 first half points, including 8 for 8 from the free-throw line. In the second half, they took their time, protected their lead, and continued to feed my daughter, who could choose to shoot for pass back out for a jump shot should the opponent collapse on her. She only had 6 points in the second half, but she had 6 assists and was able to rest for the last 8 minutes as her team’s lead was insurmountable. It turned out that the rest was needed.
On Monday, they played a team whose center was their team leader. Now, Maribel is seventy-three inches tall (that is 6’ 1” for those of you who are bad at math, or about 1.8 meters for those of you in Europe or Canada). She takes her basketball seriously, and works out regularly and strenuously. She plays center excellently. Her opposing center was, as the late, great Al Maguire might say, was an aircraft carrier. She was six foot six, easily two hundred twenty pounds, and very strong and graceful. Her nickname was Lady Shaq. Maribel was quicker than Lady Shaq, but was not as strong, so her strategy was to play her away from the basket.
Maribel’s strategy worked excellently. Lady Shaq was reluctant to come out too far, and Maribel has a sweet twelve foot jump shot. If LS tried to guard the jump shot, Maribel drove past her for a layup. The problem was that LS was equally effective scoring over Maribel. Maribel tried everything, defensively, that she knew, but was unable to find a way to slow the big lady.
As the game went on, it became more intense, and the two centers played each other harder and harder. At one point, they both grabbed a rebound at the same time and wrestled so hard for the ball that both players ended up on the floor, still fighting for possession. When the whistle blew, they both sprung to their feet, glared at each other, and had words. The officials and their teammates quickly moved to separate them.
Maribel finished with 30 points (a career high), 14 rebounds, and fouled out with 59 seconds to go. When she left the game, all of the people watching gave her a standing ovation as she limped to the bench. Her shoulders, feet, and hands were quite sore after the game. She also had a nasty scratch across one side of her face. Lady Shaq had 27 points, 19 rebounds, and 7 blocked shots. When the game ended, she collapsed on the floor in complete exhaustion. In a show of great sportsmanship and respect, Maribel was the first person to reach her, helped her up, and gave her a hug. They have since exchanged emails, crediting each other for bring out the best in the other person.
Since the season is now over, and her school is on spring break, Maribel came home with us. We were all so tired from all of the excitement, there was very little talking on the return drive. When we arrived home Tuesday, Maribel went to bed and, I believe, that she just arose perhaps an hour ago. She had left everything she had on the court on Monday. Despite his disappointment, her father was very proud of his daughter, as was her entire family.
So now that basketball is over, life at the Spanko household will return to normal, if there is such a thing. I will return to work, Maribel will soon return to school, Angela will return to rehabilitating her sore back, the flowers will bloom, the birds will sing, and all will be right with the world. Perhaps there might even be a spanking or two exchanged between Angela and I. Things will, once again, be fantastic.
Yes, that is perhaps the most obvious statement that you’ve heard on this fine day. Yet I say this for a reason. As you remember, I had promised an update on the results of Maribel’s basketball game on the Sabbath morn. As you can clearly see, I did not provide that update. I shall therefore, at this time, attempt to provide the promised update.
So that I do not keep you in suspense, I will first offer the results. On Saturday, Maribel and her mates prevailed again, in dominant fashion, winning 70 – 38. After a rest day Sunday, they were unable to continue their season, losing 80 – 77 in a terrific game.
In the first game, their strategy was to tire their opponents out by pounding the ball inside to the mighty Maribel and let her show her stuff. She had 18 first half points, including 8 for 8 from the free-throw line. In the second half, they took their time, protected their lead, and continued to feed my daughter, who could choose to shoot for pass back out for a jump shot should the opponent collapse on her. She only had 6 points in the second half, but she had 6 assists and was able to rest for the last 8 minutes as her team’s lead was insurmountable. It turned out that the rest was needed.
On Monday, they played a team whose center was their team leader. Now, Maribel is seventy-three inches tall (that is 6’ 1” for those of you who are bad at math, or about 1.8 meters for those of you in Europe or Canada). She takes her basketball seriously, and works out regularly and strenuously. She plays center excellently. Her opposing center was, as the late, great Al Maguire might say, was an aircraft carrier. She was six foot six, easily two hundred twenty pounds, and very strong and graceful. Her nickname was Lady Shaq. Maribel was quicker than Lady Shaq, but was not as strong, so her strategy was to play her away from the basket.
Maribel’s strategy worked excellently. Lady Shaq was reluctant to come out too far, and Maribel has a sweet twelve foot jump shot. If LS tried to guard the jump shot, Maribel drove past her for a layup. The problem was that LS was equally effective scoring over Maribel. Maribel tried everything, defensively, that she knew, but was unable to find a way to slow the big lady.
As the game went on, it became more intense, and the two centers played each other harder and harder. At one point, they both grabbed a rebound at the same time and wrestled so hard for the ball that both players ended up on the floor, still fighting for possession. When the whistle blew, they both sprung to their feet, glared at each other, and had words. The officials and their teammates quickly moved to separate them.
Maribel finished with 30 points (a career high), 14 rebounds, and fouled out with 59 seconds to go. When she left the game, all of the people watching gave her a standing ovation as she limped to the bench. Her shoulders, feet, and hands were quite sore after the game. She also had a nasty scratch across one side of her face. Lady Shaq had 27 points, 19 rebounds, and 7 blocked shots. When the game ended, she collapsed on the floor in complete exhaustion. In a show of great sportsmanship and respect, Maribel was the first person to reach her, helped her up, and gave her a hug. They have since exchanged emails, crediting each other for bring out the best in the other person.
Since the season is now over, and her school is on spring break, Maribel came home with us. We were all so tired from all of the excitement, there was very little talking on the return drive. When we arrived home Tuesday, Maribel went to bed and, I believe, that she just arose perhaps an hour ago. She had left everything she had on the court on Monday. Despite his disappointment, her father was very proud of his daughter, as was her entire family.
So now that basketball is over, life at the Spanko household will return to normal, if there is such a thing. I will return to work, Maribel will soon return to school, Angela will return to rehabilitating her sore back, the flowers will bloom, the birds will sing, and all will be right with the world. Perhaps there might even be a spanking or two exchanged between Angela and I. Things will, once again, be fantastic.
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Frank, that sounds like an incredible game! You must be so very proud. Sorry they lost, and the season is over. But it definitely sounds like Maribel left everything on the court!
Dave
Dave
Dave -
Thank-you for your kind words.
The game was very exciting. It was just as I have always imagined it.
Regards,
Frank
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Thank-you for your kind words.
The game was very exciting. It was just as I have always imagined it.
Regards,
Frank
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