Trash talking, bit of, no, lot of, grandpa bragging here...

One of the most exciting things for my family ever took place this year. Ashton, a freshman, was moved up to Varsity basketball... meaning, he was playing with Gavin, a senior, and my 2nd oldest grandson. First time any of my grandson's played on the same team... (age difference).

So last night.. Kerman's final game of this basketball season. We had a BAD season. Finished at .500 ball in league but we weren't good. Ashton doesn't get much playing time but his defense is fantastic. So in a nail biter with 3 minutes to go we had to have 'steals'... in comes Ashton. The kid Ashton was to guard was really quite good..... at 'trash talk'. Instantly he was in Ashton's face telling Ashton he 'owned him'... but in more colorful language. So OK...

You don't know Ashton... Ashton doesn't back down. He fires back. And the two, both of them, so audible that everyone in the stands could hear it. 11 seconds to go in the game... we're down by 1pt - - -

Ashton steals the ball from this kid, (the trash talk loud and clear all the while).... feeds Landin who dribbles down and feeds to Gavin, Ashton's cousin.... The clock... 5, 4, 3, Gavin shoots but it's in and out, 2, Sean gets the rebound, 1, Sean shoots, swish, buzzer. We win. That win put us at .500 ball, (in league).

That was the final game of the season.... and coming in third in our league, NOT making the playoffs.... Kerman's gym erupted in celebration.

I guess, if I 'stretch' a bit.. there is moral here. It's not just championships that make sports great... sometime it's the little things. Something like, ohhhhhh, Kupp's breakaway 'almost' TD this last season. - JamesJM