August 2nd - Day 2 - We've Only Just Begun

What a day we've had. We were able to relax before our 2:30 game this afternoon. We played our first game in the new Josten's Gym on Court #10. There are six courts in this gym and you can't miss the electricity in the air. The boys were excited and also nervous about getting the first game on. Our first game was against the North Central Blaze from Massacusetts. We held the Blaze to a mere 11 points in the first half and and left the court with our first win - final score Greenburgh Kings 48 - No. Central Blaze 37. Everyone was glad to have our first game under our belts and better last year's National's appearance with a tally in the win column. We noticed during our game that some coaches from the Inglewood Hoops team from California were in the stands scouting our boys. Rochelle had fun with them by mixing up the boys names as they were playing. We stayed after the game to watch the two other teams in our pool so the boys could see what they would be up against in our next two games.

The boys were fortunate to have some special visitors come to watch their games - Austin's Grandfather came in from Vermont as well as Alex and Ben's Grandmother flew in from Boca Raton. The grandparents had a great time and really enjoyed the game.

After everyone got back to the hotel we were able to rest a bit, and the boys went swimming int he pool. How happy were our boys when 300 15 year old Argentinian girls on a trip (without their parents) to celebrate their Quinceañera descended on the pool. Need we say more.
After we were able to get the boys out of the pool we went out as a team for dinner to the Golden Corral Buffet. Jordan's Grandmother called ahead and was able to get us in a semi-private room - thank goodness 'cause this restaurant was crowded.

During dinner the boys offered up their comments about today's game. They felt that they played just "ok" and that they played down to the competition. Nerves were factored in at the beginning. They felt that they didn't capitalize on opportunities. They felt they could have done much better and tomorrow they need to do a better job on shot selection, guarding the ball when dribbling, and finishing. Tomorrow's game against Inglewood Hoops "we can't make little mistakes like today or we will lose". The one word that came up often with many of the boys was that they need to play with "INTENSITY". However, Spencer summed it up for the boys: "It was a great way to start and a win is a win"!

Our mascots Nile and Joseph chimed in to say that "we demolitied the Blaze" and "how sad it was that they lost". Their prediction for tomorrow's game: "we will win, it will be a tough game, they may be a little dirty, but we will win"

Coach Mike was happy to have the win and said that we are going after "one win at a time". "We need to play better. The competition is going to get better and better. We have come a long way to go home unhappy. If we play the way we are capable of playing we can win - it is up to the boys. We need to outsmart the other other teams. Tomorrow we'll need to draw fouls, eliminate turnovers and create turnovers for our opponent. We need to take them out of their comfort zone. We need to make it uncomfortable for the other team"