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I witnessed the coolest basketball game ever in the history of the world last night. I realize that basketball junkies will disagree, but they clearly didn’t see what I saw. What I saw was an amazing comeback by a group of fearless 11 year old girls, whose team is called CRUSH. It is tournament time here in Fort Worth, at least at the YMCA youth league level. You lose and the season is over.
It was a close game. The CRUSH were down by five points in the fourth quarter. That is a big difference to make up, as in the seven regular season games, the most the CRUSH had scored in a game was 15 points. Making up five points, with the clock running even during the many free throws, is a very tall order. But the CRUSH somehow figured out a way to tie it up. So then came overtime. A dramatic, heart stopping overtime. But one that produced no points for either team. So then comes double overtime. Or so everyone thought.
The refs implemented a free throw contest. Each team had to pick a player to shoot two free throws. If one girl makes more free throws than the other girl, then the game is over. If it is still tied, then the teams choose the next two shooters. As the coach of the CRUSH, I had actually read the rulebook. I guarantee you that this contest is not in the rules. I don’t know if the refs just made the contest up on the spot, but nevertheless, it was the how the game was going to be decided. After 40 minutes of cardiac basketball, we now had to put girls on the line to decide the game. And to set the scene—this was a packed house. The game was running late, so the players and parents there for the next game were there. There were no available seats. It was, as they say, standing room only.
The first shooter for the other team sinks her two free throws. So the pressure is on. I tell Taylor that she is the one. She calmly walks to the line and swishes her two shots. She acted like she had done it a million times. She showed no signs of being under pressure. The excitement builds. As does the pressure.
The other team then sends their second girl to the line. She makes one of two. I can’t decide who to send to the line. Simply stated, we are not a very good free throw shooting team. That free throw line is just too dang far for 11 year old girls. But Caroline tells me she can do it. I didn’t know whether to believe her, but I absolutely loved her confidence. So out she goes to the line. She banks the first one in. And then banks the second one in. A mob ensues at the free throw line. The CRUSH had saved their season and continue on to play another game.
Here is the really neat part. The girls were jumping up and down like they had won the NBA Championship. And they had every right to feel that way. But after about 15 seconds of celebrating, I told them to stop and line up to shake the other team’s hands. They immediately calmed down, lined up and acted like absolute perfect young ladies as they shook hands. I commend their sportsmanship.
It was a total team effort. All ten girls contributed. They couldn’t have made it to the dramatic free throw contest without the hustle exhibited by each of the ten teammates. Congratulations to Turner, Lauren, Taylor, Rachel, Sarah, Isabella, Elena, Grace, Kirsten and Caroline.
Whether they ever win another game really doesn’t matter. After all, they won the Coolest Basketball Game Ever. And no one can ever convince me otherwise.