Five Seniors Define Unforgettable Basketball Memory

I’m so convinced that any team with a desire to make it all the way to the state tournament must have put in some extra time on the basketball court. Like the boys in this story, it doesn’t matter where any of the players came from, the important thing was how they blended well when it came to fearless competing.

Brian, Chad, Ryan, Jake, and Clark

In Keizer, Oregon, five seniors coached by Larry Gahr led the way for the 2001 McNary High School Celtics. Wow, has it really been that long? Here it is already 2016 and I remember it just like yesterday. I’m proud to say that one of those players in the photo is my son, Jake.

Number 12 Brian Zielinski, 10 Chad Harms, 32 Ryan Medford, 52 Jake Espinoza, and 44 Clark Ellison, were the seniors leading the way to a successful season. Two other seniors that were major contributors were Jamie Reznick and Tony Alefanti. Juniors were Trevor Cross, Ryan Schmidt, Drew Miller, and Grayson Boucher.

How did this all happen? Well, let’s take a look at four of the players. Chad, Brian, Ryan, and Jamie were playing together since the grade school days. They all had supportive parents that would go miles out of the way for their child. They played in an organized basketball league called the Skyball League and they represented Whiteaker Middle School. In addition, they played for a tournament team that traveled to different cities. I remember seeing the nice uniforms and sweatpants the players wore.

Jake played for Adam Stephens Middle School which participated in the same Skyball League. None of the kids at Stephens played on a tournament team. When Jake’s team played against Whiteaker in the seventh grade, well, the first half was close, but the second half was not a pretty sight. Whiteaker went on to win by 20 points. Ryan Medford at the time was probably 6’ 0”. Jake was maybe 5’ 7” and the best ball handler at Stephens. Brian Zielinski was a factor stealing the ball several times from some of the inexperienced Stephen’s players.

Jake tried out for the Keizer Celts eighth-grade tournament team the following year. This was the only local tournament team that we knew of at the time. I wanted my son to play in tournaments, not just the Skyball league. Jake made the team and started playing with Chad, Brian, Ryan, and Jamie. They started to get to know each other throughout the years. There were some uncomfortable moments at times due to Jake breaking in as a new member. But as time passed adjustments were made and things got better.

Clark Ellison didn’t come into the picture until his freshman year in high school. He was a transfer from Chicago and did not play basketball at McNary his freshman year. Clark was an athletic kid that could play ball, but he needed to learn the McNary offense-defense program. He joined the team his sophomore year where he played JV with Jake, Chad, Jamie, Drew, and Grayson. Brian and Ryan were moved up to play varsity as sophomores.

To be honest, I knew this team would be tough contenders just from watching them for years. Most of these players were leaders in their own way. There was plenty of drama, not just in the players, but in the parents as well. The officials had their hands full when the parents were at these games. I’m including myself as well – I’m not too proud of some of the comments I made to officials when they missed a call.

This group of guys all came together through Larry Gahr’s basketball program by their senior year. Just how, I’m still not sure. Every senior on this team was different – unique in their own way. They all had different hobbies, they all were raised different, and they all had different study habits. But the one thing these boys had in common was the competitive spirit and the drive to win.

To this day, I feel for Coach Gahr and his staff. I commend the coaches for making it through challenging years – keeping those kids together the best they could. I mean, I'm so thankful for the study tables they had to keep the athletes’ grades up. Also, the talks during practice and after practice, were helpful. Another challenge was dealing with the parents – Lord knows that’s always a challenge. I’m sure there were more I didn’t know about.

Back in 2001 our conference was called the Valley League which consisted of 10 teams. Class 4A (Big schools’ league), McNary; Crescent Valley; North Salem; South Salem; Sprague; Lebanon; West Albany; South Albany; McKay; Corvallis. The top four teams made the playoffs and sixteen teams from the state made it to the OSAA State Tournament at Memorial Coliseum. This is where the Blazers played before the Rose Garden and Moda Center came into play.

There were no superstars or go-to players on this team. Everyone contributed. Each player knew their role and executed it precisely. Coach Gahr put in many offensive plays, defensive presses, etc. I used to watch some of the practices – amazing the things these kids learned. They were all very smart and aggressive – that certainly helped.

During high school Jake grew 4 and ¾ inches from his 6’0” freshman year to his senior year – he stood at 6’4 ¾”. Ryan grew four inches standing at 6’4”. Clark grew to 6’3” and could jump like a rabbit. We started hearing the term “Terrorizing Trio” referring to the three big guys we had. These three were strong, fast, and didn’t back down from anyone. They all would rattle the rim in practice.

Chad and Brian were our guards that rarely turned the ball over. They took care of the basketball ball and they ran the offense. The defense was intense from these two little guys. The three-point percentage was great as well.

It was not usually a big deal if any of the five fouled out, because the others would step up – McNary was deep in that sense. This made the case of a winning season in league play. But with one game left in the playoffs before advancing to state, they had to face Beaverton, Oregon – winners of the Metro League. The winner would move on to the State Tournament.

I can still hear the standing-room crowd. I had never seen a high school gym so packed. All you could see was people everywhere. It was an intense game and every shot counted – the pressure was amazing! The intensity from every player was felt. Clutch free throws made by different players in the end helped seal an overtime victory defeating Beaverton 53 – 50 and earning a birth to the OSAA State Tournament. The Celtics were on their way to Portland, Oregon!

The team goal was to play on Saturday. On Wednesday, March 07, 2001 McNary would face Roseburg, Oregon, at 7:00 pm inside Memorial Coliseum. They were facing 6’7” Joe Newton, 6’6” Brennan Gavrelts, and 6’5” Alex Williams – a lot taller than McNary.

The entire year every player on the team had their shining moment – it was like they took turns. But on this stage at the state tournament, it was Jake Espinoza who shined like an all-star. It brought me to tears watching him play his best game of the season. Most of you will never know what he and I went through for years – it wasn’t easy.  I love my son to this day and stood by him every day. Jake led all scorers with 19 points and he pulled down 10 rebounds – a double-double. Ryan scored 9 points, Drew Miller scored 8, Chad had 5, Clark had 4, and Brian led all players with 4 assists. McNary defeated Joe Newton and the Roseburg Indians, 57 – 45. They held Joe to only 15 points.

The team goal was met, they played on Saturday. They lost to nationally-ranked Jefferson High School on Friday and rivalry South Salem on a down-to-the-wire game, 58 -61. We were all so proud of these guys for such an amazing season – a record of 20 wins and 7 losses.

Four out of the five seniors went on to play college basketball and contributed significantly to their teams. One went on to play college baseball. Memories like this are never forgotten but treasured.

Oympic Figure Skating -- You're Kidding! Mirai Nagasu Places Third but 4th-Place Wagner is Sochi Bound

My wife is an elementary P.E. teacher. She teaches her students fairness. A kid once tripped and fell, then got up and finished his time trial. This kid was one of the fastest in the school, but during that race he wasn’t. The teacher’s rules are carried out … the fastest times will represent the school at the big relay event. She feels bad for the kid that tripped – his time is normally faster. But she would feel even worse replacing the person that earned the spot.

Organization’s president, Patricia St. Peter, said these words which I read in our Monday’s local newspaper, the Statesman Journal.

“If you look at Ashley Wagner’s record and performance, she’s got the top credentials of any of our female athletes,” said Patricia St. Peter.

Really? Why even have the Olympic Trials on figure skating if we’re going by credentials. Mirai Nagasu was third and Ashley Wagner was fourth. On that day Mirai was better. That’s why we have judges. What is that doing to their credibility?

I don’t know Mirai personally, but I can guarantee that she put in just as much work (for years) as Ashley. Not trying to bash Ashley, my heart goes out to her. She is not the one that made that decision, and I’m sure she was torn when she didn’t perform up to par. But that’s how it is.

If I was Ashley, I would take myself out of the team and hand it over to Mirai – the person that earned the trip and deserves to go to Sochi. That would be the right thing to do. I don’t know how I could compete when I wasn’t the one that earned the spot. Again that’s just me speaking.

Another thing, what are we teaching this young girl? What kind of an example are we setting for the younger kids that are watching? Wow, I can see this being an issue for a very long time.

“Why can’t I go? Ashley did in figure skating and she didn’t win – that’s the Olympic Trials,” a kid would say some day.

In my earlier post I was defining the meaning of “sport”. How can we see figure skating as a sport now? The organization can determine who represents the USA on their past record – not on the day of competition.

I guess the worst part of this is that our country “The USA” is not allowing a young lady that earned this spot to go to Sochi.

Mirai Nagasu, you rock! As far as I’m concerned you are an Olympian. I hope many people in the USA feel the same way I do. God Bless you.

Is Mall Walking a Sport?

I recently started walking inside the Lancaster Mall in Salem, Oregon. I had no idea that this option was available to the public. The mall actually encourages people to come get fit. The cost is free – you just have to provide your own transportation. The walking times are 6:30 am - 10:00 am Mon. through Sat., 7:00 am - 11:00 am on Sunday.

In the northwest part of the USA it is cold in the winter. I was walking outside while the weather was permitting, but once the temperature dropped I was shivering and my face was going numb. I had to do something else. My wife and I went shopping one morning at Lancaster Mall. She mentioned to me that there was walking allowed during certain hours.

I would never have considered mall walking being a sport, but I’m rethinking that now. If race walking is a sport, well, you be the judge. The mall has a map that illustrates one lap being just over a ½ mile – side hallways included.

There are usually a few people walking in the early morning. Ages range from 20 to 90 years old – I’m one of the youngest at 55. I’ve only seen one 20 year-old. I’ve seen a sixteen year-old, but she was just waiting for the stores to open. One lady even uses hiking sticks, “Hi!” she says with a smile to every person that goes by. She informs me that several people come because of chronic illnesses and use mall walking as therapy.

The people that show up seem to be very friendly – they’ve gotten to know each other over time. They yell across the hallway at times while walking at their own pace. I can’t forget to mention how safe walkers feel with security there at all times.

“Good morning!” one gentleman says to me as he passes me on the left. He’s about 20 years older than I am with mad confidence – he can really move fast. I feel so out of shape, some day I’ll be able to keep up with him.

Anita Griswold (no not from Wally World) is an ambitious lady that walks there regularly with her friend. She recently retired from the Salem Hospital – she’s discovered so many benefits in mall walking.

“I thought to myself, I can sit around home and nibble on food or I can exercise instead. I need to work out – this keeps me in shape while I enjoy myself. Five or six miles are what I try to do here. It’s a great way to stay healthy and keep warm,” Anita said.

I don’t know if I’ll be doing six miles any time soon, but I hope to work up to it. I definitely have to get in better shape to be able to stay with the lady that walks with a stroller. I’m not joking – she moves very fast and embarrasses me every time she flies ahead of me. All I see is the dust from the hallway hitting my face.

There is a store in the mall that’s called Victoria’s Secret. I think most of you know the one. Every time I walk by that store I think to myself, Victoria … the secret is out! Put clothes on those girls! There are kids that come to the mall.

The definition of “sport” is an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition. So if I made it a competition in my own mind, I could try to keep pace with some of these professional mall walkers … I’d say mall walking is a sport.

On a different note, I never understood why I had to force myself to wake up when I had a day job. Now that I’m retired I seem to wake up pretty easy. Has anyone else experienced that situation? Maybe it’s just me.

I definitely recommend mall walking in the early hours if you don’t like the cold weather. As we get older the bones take a toll. Trust me, I know.

Are Parents Living a Dream Through Their Kids in Sports?

As parents we have a responsibility to teach our children good values and to protect them from any harm – whether physical or emotional. We can’t predict what they will choose to be when they grow up. Parents can influence a child in many ways. Let’s look at the sports-world avenue.

I don’t write on this issue because of research I’ve done, no, I’ve actually experienced a few things during my life. I also realize that if you have children you will raise them how you choose and not how anyone else is suggesting. It is entirely up to you. Just remember, there are repercussions.

Sports are a great part of life, a gift that God gave us all to enjoy. This adventure can be for teammates to learn social skills; how to lose or win (with good sportsmanship hopefully); entertain crowds; earn scholarships for college tuition; treat injuries; work as a team; take coach’s instructions; experience traveling to another town; laughing together; crying together, etc. I could create a very long list but I don’t want to take up all your time.

I’m speaking in general to most parents. We’ve all taken an interest in one thing or another throughout our lives. Maybe horse riding, missionaries, science fiction, camping, sewing, cooking, truck driving, business-career oriented … I think you get the idea. Some parents will go through the extra mile to teach their children the necessary skills to learn what they (the parents) enjoy.

Don’t get me wrong, I think that’s a great thing! While our kids are very little it’s very important to spend time with them and show them many good things. Discipline is important at an early age – teaching them to do the right things. As they start growing up it is crucial to nurture them and to continue spending time with them as best you can. Personally, I think one of the best things you can do for your child is to “listen” to them.

The child finally gets to an age that we as parents decide to get them involved in sports. It could be football, basketball, baseball, track and field, tennis, volleyball, etc. It doesn’t matter which sport. The important thing is to introduce them to several sports not just one. If the parent only played football, don’t just introduce your child to football. I’m not saying the child’s interest won’t be in football, but there’s a chance it may not be.

The worse thing a parent can do is to force their child to play a sport that the youngster doesn’t enjoy. So many times I feel that parents were once athletes and maybe they didn’t reach a stage at the top. They put in their minds that maybe their kids can reach what they (the parents) once wanted. Maybe parents get into the competitive game of my kid is better then the rest of those kids and I want him/her to shine (in a sport the kid doesn’t want to play). These are just two facts, I’m sure there are plenty more.

If a child is forced to play a sport they don’t enjoy, this could cause problems between the child and parent. This is not showing love toward your son or daughter. It’s one thing to introduce a sport to a kid (it’s perfectly okay). However, once you discover they do not enjoy it, have them finish out the commitment. The next year, support them on the sport they enjoy doing.

In most cases your child will not want to hurt your feelings. He or she will continue doing the sport you want them doing – keeping anger inside themselves. You’ll see signs of the child not being happy. That’s when we as parents have to listen to our children – especially during the middle school and high school days – very important.

Listening to your kids can make a world of difference in your relationship. They will know that they are important to you – they will feel valued. When you tell them what to do all the time, well, that’s not really listening – particularly during middle school and high school. In grade school they are still learning and we do have to educate them by telling them what to do and setting a good example for them.

Explain to your child why they aren’t allowed to do something. Don’t just tell them, “No you're not!” Inform your son or daughter what can happen if they make a bad decision (whatever that might be). I know it’s difficult because there will be times when we as parents have to put our foot down and say, “You know I love you very much, but I don’t feel this would be a good idea, this is what could happen …”

I think being a good parent has to be one of the toughest jobs in this world, even tougher than US President Obama’s job. We owe this to our children, and to our community. Once your son or daughter has decided on what sport or sports they enjoy playing and wish to continue, please support them on this. It may even be a sport that you’ve never heard of. I had never heard of “curling” before, but if that’s what my child would have selected, you got it, I'd better support him or her on this. I’m not saying that curling is a bad sport – it just wouldn’t be something I would enjoy.

When I was growing up years ago (in the 70s) our school only had three sports, football, basketball, and track and field. Today there are so many sports, not just in the public school system but also club sports. There are organized traveling teams for kids that are more advanced than others – they have tryouts for these. There are leagues in the Boys and Girls Club, or the local Parks and Recreation Divisions. This is good news to many kids wanting to play sports.

We can’t be perfect parents – no one is perfect except Jesus Christ. But we can be there supporting our children, listening to them, showing them the love they deserve. If every parent would just put in a good effort, this world would be a better place – trust me.

Sports Injuries Can Happen Anytime

I remember meeting Lebron James in 2003 at the Adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas when my youngest son Matt (Noza) was playing with the Oregon Ice traveling team. You can read about it in my book Noza: A True Basketball Success Story. Lebron was still in high school at the time and was not playing due to an injured wrist. I’m sure he would have loved to play in the tournament since hundreds of people showed up to watch him. I was fortunate enough to walk over and say hi to him. I had no clue that this kid was going to be a superstar someday. I was just going on what my son told me.

“Hi Lebron, I’m David Espinoza, I have a son playing in this tournament. He’s playing for the Oregon Ice.”

Lebron shakes my hand and says, “Nice!”

“How’s your wrist doing?” I ask.

“It’s getting better man, thanks for asking.”

He stands up and looks down at me. I’d say he was about 6’8” at the time and his body was definitely an NFL football body – I’m not joking!

While he’s talking to me, he’s signing autographs for many kids. They walk up with their basketballs and have them signed.

“Well, good luck in the NBA next year man, I’ll be watching you.”

“Thanks man, I appreciate that,” Lebron said very politely.

I don’t think I would have met him if it wasn’t for his injured wrist. It worked out for me, but I think I’d prefer him healthy to play in the tournament. It would have been a blast to see my son matched up against him – 6’4” against 6’8”.

Injuries are a part of life, and when you play sports the risk will be greater than when you’re cooking, sleeping, working in the office, etc. Sometimes injuries can happen when you least expect them. Take our local high school boys’ basketball team for example. The McKay Royal Scots were 7 – 0 and ranked high in the state of Oregon. They were getting ready to play at the Abby’s Holiday Classic in Medford, Oregon.

McKay has three top-notch ball handlers and, as we know, to win games you need ball handlers. McKay first lost Jacob Brustad with a knee injury. On Thursday, December 26^th, Isaiah Montona went down with a dislocated and fractured finger the day before departing to the tournament.

The first game of the tournament was against North Medford, Oregon, the home team. They had a really good team and despite our second guard going down we took a ten-point lead early on. Perhaps you can guess where this is going – our third ball handler went down in the first quarter. He was defending a fast break against a North Medford guard. Jorge Garibay was up in the air when he came down awkwardly and sprained his ankle severely. He fell to the gym floor in excruciating pain. McKay ended up losing by 13 points, 62 -49, their first loss of the season.

The good news, well, the good Lord made our bodies to heal with care and time. I can’t explain why injuries happen when they do – it’s just part of the process – part of life.

At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, there was a young lady by the name of Kerry Strug – a 4’ 9” gymnast. The Womens’ USA Gymnastic Team was doing well and she was performing the vault. The Russians were neck to neck with the USA and it was coming down to Kerry’s performance for the chance at the gold medal. She had two vaults for the best score possible. On her first vault she landed hard feeling a crack on her ankle – she slid backward in tears holding her ankle. She received a 9.162 for her score which was still a chance for a gold medal but not guaranteed.

Let’s pause for a minute. This is a dream that this young girl had since she was five years old – training intensely for years before this moment. Not only was it a chance for her to accomplish an amazing feat for her and her teammates, but for her country as well.

Her coach took one look at her, not convinced that the USA had a gold secured, and said, “I need you to go one more time.” Kerry put herself into a focus mode despite the pain. I know what a torn ligament feels like so I can relate to what Kerry was going through. She gets back on the 75-foot runway with her ankle taped as best as possible. She seemed to block the pain and her mind was telling her, you can do this one more time.

As she takes off, everyone is intensely watching the moment. Kerry approaches the vault placing her hands down as she throws herself up in the air twisting and turning. She then lands, hearing a second crack, but perfectly sticking her landing. The crowd goes wild! She begins to hop on one leg in tears as her teammates and coach come to her for help. She is carried away in a stretcher. Her score turned into a 9.712 securing gold for the USA!

Kerry suffered two torn ligaments. That was a performance that will never be forgotten.

I certainly can see the reason why Kerry continued with an injury. In my opinion, when you reach a moment that you’ve worked so hard for, I guess you want to do whatever you can because you may not get that opportunity again on such a huge stage.

My advice may not be perfect, but I would x-ray the injury to be sure there are no broken bones. If it’s an important playoff game or event, try to tape up the injury and see if you can go. If you can’t go, trust me, don’t go. You could hurt your team by not being able to move as quickly. You can also cause permanent damage to your body. In Kerry’s case she only had one jump to do. In a basketball game, or a football game you’ll be on that injury a little bit longer. Kerry was also performing in the Olympics, not the same as a high school game or college game.

I actually saw a referee pull his hamstring after calling a foul on a player – no joke! It happened in Silverton, Oregon two years ago. Please do the best you can to stretch out and warm up before playing any kind of sport, yes, even table tennis or officiating a game.

All I Want for Christmas is a Holiday Basketball Tournament

’Tis the season to be jolly! Every year I look forward to watching at least one holiday basketball tournament – Oregon has some of the best. The Les Schwab Invitational and the Southern Oregon Subaru Christmas Classic are two great ones. The Abby’s Holiday Classic in Medford, Oregon, is the state’s longest running tourney for this time of the year. There are so many good ones all over the state.

Christmas is about giving. When Jesus Christ was born he received gifts from the three wise men. This special time of the year should not be about what I want. All too often we think about ourselves and “getting”. Maybe this year we can take the time to do something for someone or give someone a gift they enjoy. All too often I’ve seen where people receive gifts that the “giver” enjoys. Do research on the person you’re buying for or doing for. You’ll feel much better seeing that smile on their face when they open the present – to me, that’s a gift in itself.

Christmas is time for family. Everyone has busy schedules throughout the year. It’s rare for the entire family to be together in one place. For instance, with my family, I have two boys and two stepdaughters. They each have their immediate family and schedules. They work year-round and have busy lives (a good thing). One of my stepdaughters lives in Canada. My other stepdaughter lives in Wilsonville, Oregon. My two boys live here in Salem (blessing). I guess what I’m trying to say is that holidays are special and important – a time for everyone to see family and catch up on things.

Okay, now back to holiday tournaments. Sorry I got off track. The tournaments give us a chance to go somewhere with family and experience an eye-opening event while supporting our local team. We can eat at restaurants that are different than our local area. Also, meeting new people from the opposing team can be a great experience … if we let it. Staying at a hotel that you’ve never seen or experienced can be fun. Sharing that time is precious and healthy – if we choose to make it that.

I’ll try to prepare myself for the tournament by using this as an example. I was sitting next to a gentleman at the McKay vs. Sheldon game on December 16^th. Our local team (McKay Royal Scots) was playing at the Sheldon Irish gym. During the game, I felt one of their players traveled and the referee missed the call, instead, a foul on our player was called. I yelled, “That was traveling!” The gentleman turned to me and responded, “He got tripped first that wasn’t traveling!” I remembered what I had written in one of my earlier posts about good sportsmanship. I thought about it for a few seconds. Then, I said, “You guys have a really good team, they are very quick and can shoot the ball well.” A smile came from him and we became friends in the fourth quarter.

My heart goes out to people that are struggling and can’t afford to take that time off from work. I know that a majority will take a vacation during the holidays. If you’re one of those people and have never been to a holiday tournament, I really encourage you to take a chance – you’ll love it!

This is the time of the year where there is plenty of delicious food to eat – and don’t forget about the hot chocolate with marshmallows. The ham, turkey, pies, fudge, etc. are treats for the entire family to enjoy during the season – please, no fruitcake. Pack some holiday treats for the trip to a holiday tournament and eat them while you watch the games.

I know I’m talking basketball in particular, but there are also other sporting events that go on during the holiday season. Pick the one that your family most enjoys and have fun!

Merry Christmas to all! I want to wish everyone a joyful holiday season. I also want to thank all of the athletes competing in holiday tournaments. May everyone stay injury-free during the games (Alexis Wolf, don’t worry that ankle will heal soon).

I remember those tournaments when I was playing many moons ago – some of the most exciting times.

The Professor - Grayson Boucher Plus More NW Sports Stories (New book released!)

Great news! My new book is available for sale! Book Title: The Professor – Grayson Boucher

Subtitle:      Plus More NW Sports Stories

Genre:         Non-fiction Sports Biography

Retail Price: $15.95

Publisher: E-BookTime, LLC (Dec. 2, 2013)

Edition: Paperback, 236 pages

ISBN: 978-1-60862-530-7

To Order Online: Just simply click on the book cover displayed

To Order an Autographed Copy: click on Order Autographed Copy at the top

Book Description

This is a must-read book – eight northwest USA true sports stories. Athletes in these stories have a passion for the one thing they desire. It takes them a tremendous amount of sacrifice, determination, and hard work to accomplish success. Experience their journey.

This book features Grayson “The Professor” Boucher – a short skinny boy from Keizer, Oregon. He became an overnight sensation signing a contract with the And 1 Mixtape Tour. He now plays professionally for Ball Up Streetball and tours worldwide. How about Noah Torres from Moses Lake, Washington? This young man dealt with twelve fractures in his skull along with more medical issues. Noah is a miracle kid who God kept alive for a reason. Also, Brooke Chuhlantseff from Salem, Oregon, who as a freshman in high school captured a district championship title in the 1500 meter run – she has a strong vision of the Olympic Trials. All eight stories in this book are unique and will leave you inspired.

I would like to thank the eight families that willingly shared personal information with me about their son or daughter. We spent countless hours of interview time including phone calls and text messages. After two and a half years we’re finally done! This book would not have been possible without their help. I’m so thankful for amazing people like them. God Bless you all.

I would like to also thank the contributors - my sons Jake and Matt for their contributions. Thanks to my wife Loni, for assisting me in editing.

I hope that you consider ordering one of my books for a great “Christmas present for someone you might know”.

A Heart-Touching Story - Kayla Reyna Loves Basketball

Photo by Kent Brewer

Who is this young lady with fire-winning eyes? That’s what McKay girls’ basketball has this year. In Salem, Oregon, there is a basketball player that tells everyone, I want to win! She won’t say it but she’ll display it on the basketball court. Standing at 5’ 2” as a basketball player might be misleading – this athlete plays like she’s 5’8”.

The first time I met her was last summer during a “Salem Hoops Project” session. I didn’t think too much of it, but when I saw her shoot and dribble the basketball during some of the most challenging drills, well, I knew she was a “baller”. Action, not words, is what I saw in this young female competitor.

Kayla Reyna is a Latina and the daughter of Ayda Leyva and Rudy Reyna. She has one older brother – Rudy Jr. Kayla plays point guard for the McKay High School Lady Scots.  McKay plays in the Central Valley Conference. Her successful road in hoops has not been an easy one, but an admiration to many people.

She grew up in Gervais, Oregon, a small town with a low-income community, which resides fifteen miles north of Salem. Her family moved to Silverton, Oregon, while she was in grade school.

“When I was little I looked up to my older brother, Rudy. I always wanted to hang around him because I thought he was really cool. I just hung around him and his friends. We played basketball just about every day,” Kayla said.

Kayla’s brother inspired her to love the game of basketball. She was very close to him and felt safe being around him when she was out and about. She watched and learned from good basketball players.

Sometimes in the Latino culture the parents don’t always encourage their daughters to play sports. In Kayla’s situation her mom and dad supported her one hundred percent. They just wanted to be sure she was safe while playing basketball with Rudy’s friends.

When Kayla was in the fourth grade something heartbreaking happened – her parents went through a painful divorce. At that same time she also lost her grandmother who was very close to her. To some people sports is not important. But to Kayla, it was her counseling. Basketball helped her deal with the emotional times. It meant being around kids that were having fun plus it took her mind to a more relaxed place.

“That was really hard for Rudy and I to deal with – I started playing a lot of basketball. My family seemed to always have problems – some relatives even getting into trouble. When we lost Grandma I was torn – she meant the world to me. This is something I usually don’t share with people,” Kayla said.

After her parents split up, Kayla and her mom moved back to Gervais where she attended Gervais Middle School. She started seeing “the lack of success” in her family tree. She wanted to change that. Using basketball to cope, she became a good student athlete. Making the right decisions for her future was important.

In the seventh grade Kayla played with Cascade (an all-star tournament team) for two years. Later her mom moved them to Woodburn, Oregon, when she was a freshman. While attending and playing for Woodburn High School, she played for two other teams – The Hoop in Salem and The Portland Rebels (an AAU traveling tournament team).

Spending most of her high school years in Woodburn, Oregon, Kayla and her mom moved to Salem after her junior year. She has joined the McKay Lady Scots for her senior year. Assistant Coach Lamar Griffin was working with her on skills for awhile, but then he left McKay. Griffin referred Kayla to Matt Espinoza (Noza), the boys’ varsity assistant coach. Kayla spent all summer training with Noza at the Salem Hoops Project.

“Kayla began working out with me last summer. She has a desire and work ethic to become a great point guard for her team,” Coach Matt Espinoza said.

Her mom, Ayda, has been very supportive of Kayla. The two of them think of others. They help Kayla’s teammates with rides to and from practices. Kayla encourages this and her mom supports it.

“A lot of people don’t think of McKay in a winning mentality. As one of the leaders I want to help create a winning mentality for McKay. We have some talent this year. I want to adjust with my teammates in how they play – whatever I need to do to make us better. One of my goals is to be able to compete with South Salem – the number one team in the CVC. I would also like to help us make the playoffs,” Kayla said.

McKay girls’ basketball has a stellar roster this season with great shooters like all-around-player Braylee Stone, sharp-shooter Alexia Wolf, and inside-force Kenya Williams, plus more. They work hard when they set foot on the basketball court. With the addition of Kayla Reyna they will be able to compete with any team.

“Kayla is such an outstanding player, she can shoot from anywhere on the court. She’s a smart player and can adjust to any play. I’m so excited to continue the season with her! I love how much work she puts into practices and games,” said her teammate, Braylee Stone.

Academically she maintains a 3.5 GPA and would like to improve that. Her dream is to get a college scholarship to play basketball somewhere. She wants to be the first in her family to succeed in life – really wants to make her mom proud. Kayla’s focus for the future is to study sports medicine. She would love to be an athletic trainer after college.

“It’s been a huge boost for the team having her leadership. She’s worked really hard and has done a great job getting acclimated to her teammates’ style of play – she is fitting in perfectly. Kayla brings calmness to the pressures of defenses – her teammates feast off of that. She sees the floor differently than most players, and she makes those around her better players. She has the work ethic to improve and we’re looking for big things from her this season,” Head Coach Derick Handley said.

Kayla will set a mark, not only for her family, but also to all of the young female athletes out there looking for an example to follow. She is great proof of what hard work can accomplish. Keep up the good work Kayla!

Kayla, what are your favorite basketball moments?

Before my junior year, I played for an international USA team and we won a huge tournament in the Bahamas. I also once scored 27 points in a game.

Favorite NBA team and college team?

The LA Lakers – I like Kobe Bryant. In college I like Duke.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

Oh my gosh, falling on the floor during a basketball game.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy hanging out with friends, watching movies, and listening to music – Hip-Hop Rap (Drake).

Swimming is Important to the McNary Girls' Team

The sport of swimming has to be one of the best sports for the human body. Close to every muscle in the body is used. It is a cardio sport, and even better, the bones take no pounding. I would often visit doctors throughout my sports career because of injuries. Most of them would say, “I recommend doing some swimming for therapy.”

At McNary High School in Keizer, Oregon, the girls swim team is about to get going on another season. They are led by Head Coach Kim Phillips who’s been at it for thirty four years – that’s love for the sport.

“We have roughly twenty seven swimmers this year. We practice every day. I’m predicting that we’ll have a good season this year,” Kim said.

I arrived at the Kroc Center in Salem, Oregon, at 2:55 p.m. where the swimmers (inside the aquatic center) were sitting up on the stands suited and ready to go. Most of them were hanging out socializing while they waited for practice to start.

What inspires some of these girls to be swimmers? Jewel Boyd is a junior at McNary – she started swimming when she was five years old. Her older sister swam for a team. Jewel would eventually go on to be part of a club swim team … the Bearcats. Her specialty is the freestyle.

“I followed my older sister’s footsteps – she inspired me. Swimming for Coach Phillips is an inspiration in itself – she’s really good. I enjoy the team aspect of it all. My goal is to swim in college and study foreign relations,” Jewel said.

Brittney Kiser is a sophomore and one of the best at the backstroke. Brittney’s story will be one of eight featured in my new book to be released sometime in December 2013, The Professor – Grayson Boucher, Plus More NW Sports Stories. Brittney was inspired by her mom. Tara Kiser introduced swimming to her daughter (when she was a child).

Samantha Williams is another sophomore who will help the girls’ swim team. She is great at the long distance swim – the 500 freestyle.

“It’s an inspiring sport in itself when you get in the pool. I enjoy the great exercise and the calmness of it all – it’s a fun sport,” Samantha said.

Abby McCoy is a freshman. She’s young but looking forward to great things in the future – she is motivated by her coaches’ instructions each day at practice.

“I enjoy swimming – it’s definitely a stress reliever. I get a chance to isolate myself from everything. Swimming makes me a stronger person while gaining more confidence,” Abby said.

Before the practice starts, the coach reminds the athletes to get their participation fee in. She also adds that the booster club will be helping pay for some of the swimsuits they purchase.

In my opinion, our priorities are not set right. There has to be a way for schools to provide fees and equipment for athletes. Can I get an Amen on this?

“The kids are great, I enjoy coaching them. We normally don’t have any problems. The only challenge we might have is getting everyone here. The school is about 5 miles away and the kids have to rely on their own transportation,” Kim said.

The team starts warming up with a tool called a kickboard. They hold on with two hands stretching their arms forward and fluttering the legs. Assistant Coach Erika Rose has been coaching at McNary for six years. She is a volunteer and enjoys helping the young swimmers. She mostly works with the beginners.

“We have our team do the kickboard for about fifteen minutes before starting a one-and- a-half hour training session. They stay in the pool the entire duration. Every swimmer has a type they do – some do several types. They get a one or two minute breather throughout, but they’re in the water the entire time. Sometimes we have them do a stroke workout or simply an endurance workout,” Erica said.

During the practices the Kroc Center has a police of mandatory lifeguards. Kelsey Lund and Sara Brending were keeping an eye on the swimmers that day.

“We have to keep a constant watch at all times, practices or swim meets. Basically, anytime we have people in the water, a lifeguard will be on duty,” Kelsey said.

Swimming definitely takes a different kind of “getting in shape”. It is a challenging sport and to acquire the technique for the many types of skills, takes dedication and hard work.

Let’s review the different types.

Freestyle:

This is the most common known swim type. The competitor does a front crawl, circling arms forward, alternating arms, and kicking their feet (known as fluttering). This is the fastest of all types and used for long distance races as well as short distance.

Butterfly:

This style is known as the “fly”. It is swum on the breast with both arms moving continuously, accompanied by a dolphin kick. It takes a tremendous amount of arm strength and leg strength.

Backstroke:

This type is sometimes called the “back crawl” or the “upside-down freestyle”. Swum on the back, the advantage is breathing. The disadvantage is not being able to see where they are going. The competitor uses long-axis strokes. It is the only competition that has a different start – on the wall in the water.

Breaststroke:

This style is where the chest or torso does not rotate. The stability and ability to keep the head out of the water most of the time, is amazing. This is the most difficult stroke and requires a tremendous amount of leg strength and endurance compared to others.

In addition to individual events at swim meets, there is also an individual medley. This is where the swimmer does several types in one race. There are also relays, the medley relay and the freestyle relay. The races are all in yards for the winter season, which are mostly high school. In the summer the races are in meters.

If you’re not doing anything on Thursday December 12th, come to the Kroc Center in Salem, Oregon at 7:00 p.m. and watch a high school swim meet. The McNary girls and boys will be competing against Lebanon.

I would like to thank Brittney Kiser and Coach Kim Phillips for inviting me to one of their practices.

Thanks for the time you took to read this post.

Jacob Brustad has High Expectations on the Basketball Court

                                                             Photo by Kent Brewer

McKay Boys Basketball in Salem, Oregon, is about to make a run, not only for the CVC (Central Valley Conference) title, but also to play in the post season. That’s right – if all goes well and the team stays healthy this could be a great year for McKay Basketball. Come out and watch their first home game. The McKay Royal Scots will play against Tualatin on Wednesday, December 4th at 7:00 p.m.

Jacob Brustad is a six-foot senior point guard who has a vision of playing at the next level after high school. Born in Salem, in 1995, he’s the son of Chris and Nina You Brustad. Jacob also has an older sister, Christa.

The young athlete speaks of being raised in a low-income-family environment. When he was a little kid he remembers living in a rough neighborhood. It was scary and definitely not a place that was always safe. He survived the storm choosing to do the right things in life and he continues to head in a positive direction.

“We had all kinds of young kids doing bad things and getting into trouble – mostly teenagers,” Jacob said.

He attended Scott Elementary School in the northeast side of town. His parents really pushed him to be a baseball player. They would sign him up for fall baseball and encourage him to get better at the sport. Jacob did not like baseball and started eyeing the sport of basketball.

In the fifth grade Jacob’s uncles, Judd You and Michael You, took him to a Blazer game. Jacob instantly fell in love with basketball. This adventure inspired him to become a basketball player. The transition from baseball to basketball began. His parents did what understanding parents should do. They supported Jacob on the sport he enjoyed the most.

“My parents are very supportive of me. They would take me to practices and buy me basketball shoes. Mom’s always at my games and Dad works late hours but manages to make it to my games as well. My uncles, Judd and Michael, also support me by coming to my games,” Jacob said.

Jacob played on several AAU tournament teams during his middle school years. Salem Basketball Club, Team Adidas, and Oregon Pump and Run were teams that helped him get the experience he needed – and the most important thing … he was having fun!

Jacob started getting really serious when he was in middle school. He started training with Matt Espinoza (Noza)  www.dynamicpd.net .  Skills training sessions were important to him – he wanted to help Mckay’s basketball team.

“I have been working with Jacob since he was a seventh grader. The amount of progress he has made is remarkable,” Assistant Coach Matt Espinoza said.

Dunking the basketball when he was a freshman in high school was an eye-opener. Not too many ninth graders can dunk the basketball. He has natural quickness and abilities that any athlete would love to have. Jacob also has a great three-point shot.

“I’m like … where’d that come from? It was a great feeling but it must have been a good jump because after that I could not dunk it again, but I kept trying,” Jacob laughs.

Now he can dunk consistently. We could possibly see one in a game this year if the team is ahead and the coaches give him a green light. Coaches don’t usually encourage dunks, they prefer to have a made basket.

This young man has worked hard over the summer (off-season) – in my opinion, that’s how a player gets better. Jacob worked on ball handling, passing, shooting, and defense. During summer league games, pushing the ball down court and finishing a shot at the end or making a solid assist was the focus for improvement.

“Jacob’s worked extremely hard to improve his game and has matured tremendously as a player and person the last two years. I’m excited to see the results of his hard work on the floor this season,” Head Coach Dean Sanderson said.

When Jacob is not playing basketball, he loves hanging out with his friends and listening to music (Hip-hop rap) – Kanye West usually. XBOX games are another thing he enjoys doing.

Academically, he’s great at Math, but Chemistry is his favorite subject – Jacob always tries to get his homework done ASAP. Maintaining a 3.5 GPA and recently bumping it up to 3.86, is not an easy thing to do, but inspiring. Jacob also does great things for others. He gives rides to his teammate, Dillon James, to school and to practices. Plus, he always gets his teammates involved in games.

Jacob, who is your favorite NBA team and who is your favorite college team?

I like the Oklahoma City Thunder and in college I like Kentucky.

What is your favorite basketball moment of all time?

I actually have two of them. When I was a freshman we were losing to Sprague by twenty-five points at halftime. We made a huge comeback and won the game! In the eighth grade I scored 37 points to help our tournament team beat the Woodburn Bulldogs.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

During school one time I was walking to the white board to do a problem. My knee gave out on me – I fell to the floor and everyone started laughing.

What are your expectations for the team as a senior and a leader?

To help my team put in a good effort in practices and games – off the court, setting an example for our team to be good people … no messing around.

New Book Coming Soon! The Professor - Grayson Boucher, Plus More NW Sports Stories

In 2008 I wrote my first book “Noza: A True Basketball Success Story” a non-fiction book based on my son Matt. He never gave up despite obstacles. In 2011 I published my second book, “Poor Kid, Wealthy Kid,” a sports-fiction book based on some of my experiences as a young kid – from Texas to Oregon.

I started realizing how many amazing stories there are here in the great northwest part of the USA. I love this part of the country and plan to spend the rest of my life here.

My wheels started spinning and I wanted to write another book that would expand on my Noza-book idea. Now it’s 2013 and my new book will soon be released – exciting! I’m really praying for sometime in December.

Title: The Professor – Grayson Boucher

Subtitle: Plus More NW Sports Stories

The idea of going into athletes’ homes and interviewing them for hours was a little nerve racking at first. I’ve conducted plenty of interviews, but not of this magnitude. The expectation was unknown. Asking a family to answer questions that were “personal” was educational. I was not only impressed with these athletes and families, but also very thankful for their willingness to share such details with the entire world. It was a great experience. I was passionate about writing this book – really enjoyed it. I thank the good Lord for the guidance.

My new book consists of eight northwest USA true sports stories. The featured story is Grayson Boucher. The additional seven stories are also amazing and unique. You’ll get a good taste of every athlete’s life and how they reached accomplishment.

Grayson Boucher: Featuring Grayson “The Professor” Boucher – a short skinny boy from Keizer, Oregon. He became an overnight sensation signing a contract with the And 1 Mixtape Tour. A big change came about with And 1. He went on to sign a contract with Ball Up Streetball where he’s touring worldwide. Grayson has also played a lead role in the movie Ball Don’t Lie. You will read about where this young man grew up and how it all happened. This is a remarkable basketball story.

Janelle Weiss: At 5’ 5” this young lady was determined to play Division I basketball. She played for West Salem High School in Salem, Oregon, then moved to Beaverton and played with Southridge High School – a power-house team. Overcoming obstacles along the way she returned to West High for her senior year. Several colleges started eyeing her.

Alex Hurlburt: A young boy from Salem, Oregon, that adjusted to society and faced many challenges. Despite being born with a missing limb, he always remembered what his parents told him, “Can’t is not an option.” The challenges started as soon as he was born and led to the daycare center that he attended. He would go on to defy the odds and become a three-sport athlete. In baseball, it was amazing what he accomplished while playing on an all-star team.

Avry Holmes: He’s from Salem, Oregon, a talented young man that was athletic since he could walk. Everything was going great for him. Avry played two grades up sometimes. His dad, Rick Holmes, was his best friend and his coach in many occasions. Avry went everywhere with his dad just to keep learning about the game of basketball. His dream was to play Division I basketball and possibly continue in the NBA. After a phenomenal eighth grade year something terrible happened.

Brooke Chuhlantseff: This young lady is from Salem, Oregon, she loves to run. Her mom was a competitive runner in college. This inspired Brooke to become a runner. They would run together often – daughter would learn from Mom. As a freshman in high school she captured the varsity district championship title in the 1500 meter run – she has a strong vision of the Olympic Trials. She caught attention from several Division I colleges.

Daniel Brattain: He’s a gifted hurdler from Keizer, Oregon. He faced a tough situation with his dad being deployed overseas. Daniel discovered that he was great at running the hurdles. As a freshman his technique was very sharp. The sharpness was due to the hard work he put in at a young age. He made the varisty team as a freshman and went on to set two hurdle records at McNary High School. An amazing story you won’t want to miss.

Brittney Kiser: She’s from Keizer, Oregon, and has a love for swimming. The backstroke is her type. Brittney was doing great and her destination for college swimming was in her future … until something happened. Brittney faced major obstacles, some that would cause her emotional stress. She’s a fighter and one that would not give up her dream but become stronger as an athlete and a person.

Noah Torres: He’s a legend from Moses Lake, Washington. This young boy dealt with a spider fracture in his skull along with more medical issues. Noah is a miracle kid who God kept alive for a reason. Because of his surgeries and recovery time, he began late in the sports world. He loved baseball and nothing was going to stop him from playing. His hard work and persistence landed him a spot on an all-star baseball team.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my Blog. I’ll keep you posted as the new book release date gets closer!

It's All About Me!

I remember playing sports back when I was a kid. My parents attended maybe one game a year. Usually it was a homecoming game or a senior night event. I would often ask them to come watch me play – I was always one of the starters in football and basketball. They would take me to my games and drop me off, but usually did not stay to watch. Other parents would be there watching their kids – even if they sat the bench. I actually played the entire game most of the time. I felt sad that my parents had no interest in my school activities – at least that’s how I felt. One of the times they showed up at my game was back when I was in the fifth grade in Dimmitt, Texas (we moved to Oregon in 1976). I was signed up to play in the Dimmitt Little Dribblers League – a league that included fifth and sixth graders. My mom was a teacher’s aid working for the elementary school. Mom knew Mrs. King who was the coach’s wife. Our game was on a Sunday – a playoff game at the end of the season. I told my coach that I could not play because I had to go to church. Mr. King said, “What?” The look on his face said it all. He continued, “David, we can’t win without you. We need you to play on Sunday.”

I had talked to my parents about this previously, but my mom insisted that I go to church and not the game. So I accepted the fact that I was not going to play and that I would let my team down – coaches and all. I had no clue what was going on. Sunday morning my mom explained to me that Mr. and Mrs. King were picking me up at our house and taking me to the game. I’m like, “what?” Somehow they convinced my mom to allow me to play. My brothers and sisters were furious because they had to go to church.

Church service was over by the second quarter. I noticed that my mom and dad walked into the gym. They came to my first basketball game ever! Naturally I was so excited. I scored 34 points and had 13 rebounds – it helps when you’re the tallest kid on the team. That game meant so much to me. Not because I did so well and we won, but because my parents were there watching. That was the last time they attended, except for senior night in 1978.

It got to the point where I felt great about other parents coming to me and congratulating me on a great game. All I could think about was, “Why couldn’t my mom and dad be like that?”

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to bash my parents, they had six kids to deal with. My dad was the only provider for the household – he worked very hard. He must have been tired after work. He would fix the car when it broke down – plus other household duties. My mom usually followed what my dad decided. I love my parents and am not ashamed to say that we were very different in “the way we think”.

When I became a parent, I remembered that feeling. Never would I miss what my kids were involved in at school. I wanted them to know that they were important and that I took interest in whatever they were doing. I made it a point to be there for whatever they needed – even if it meant taking time off work. If I was tired, it was refreshing for me to watch my sons. Don’t believe me? Just ask one of them.

It bothered me to hear some of my co-workers talking, “I can’t wait to get the rug rats out of the house.” Even if they were joking I don’t think it’s something to say about your kids. Our responsibilities to our children are to teach them good values and support them in what they want to pursue. Some parents tell their kids that they cannot play sports or that they can only play one sport. Here’s a good one I once heard someone say … “I had a bad experience with sports back when I played and I’m not about to let my kids play.” How selfish can a parent be?

Why do some parents become “power trip people”? Well, maybe it’s because “it’s all about me”. We often think about ourselves and not others – which includes not thinking about our kids. Listen to your children – don’t tell them what sport they need to play, ask them what they enjoy playing. It’s not the same thing as chores around the house – two separate things.

A child may want to play an instrument or sing in choir. The parent wants him or her to play sports. I understand keeping a child active with exercise and all. But in this case, if a child wants to pursue music, then we as parents must support their dream. Encourage them to go jogging or swimming so they can stay healthy while participating in music. It’s a proven fact that when you exercise your mind works better in the classroom.

When a child is forced to do what the parent wants, the fun will end. There could also be issues with the parent-child relationship. Some kids handle that better than other kids, but as they get older it will eventually get worse.

Don’t make it comfortable for you. Give up your night with the guys or working late at night. Give up watching TV and bring your other kids with you. Attend your child’s event. Sometimes we need to sacrifice for our kids. Support them – be there for your children. Take interest in what they are doing and go to every possible event that you can. Make an effort – they’re your children. Love them.

How Important Are Grades for Athletes?

How important are academics for an athlete? Growing up as a young kid I always wanted to play college football or basketball – some day possibly in the NFL or NBA. Never once through grade school did I learn that in order to play high school or college sports you had to have passing grades. The only reason I passed my grades was because I was competing with my fellow students. “What are you going to major in when you get to college?” I asked one of my friends. “Oh, football – maybe basketball,” he responded. Some kids really have no clue that grades are so important. I went on to explain to my friend. “Football is not a major. I’m speaking of majoring in physical education or science?”

A very small percentage of athletes make it to the NFL or NBA. Pick a field that you enjoy so when you graduate you can land a decent job. Even if you’re a great athlete, injuries could end your career, and then what?

I’m not going to get into the GPA (Grade Point Average) aspect of it, because I’m sure it varies in some schools. But basically if you can maintain a C average (2.0 GPA) you most likely will be allowed to play sports at most schools. There are exceptions with schools that have stricter requirements than others. If an athlete receives an athletic scholarship from a college, it’s important that he or she reads the agreement. Grades come into the picture – you have to maintain a certain GPA. If the athlete does not comply with the agreement, he or she will be declared ineligible and cannot play until the grades are valid again. Pay attention … some colleges will require that the tuition money be paid back. Before signing to play college sports, read any kind of agreements you sign very carefully.

I started looking into the importance of grades and sports when Coach Durham, my eighth-grade coach, informed our basketball team about the matter. I realized I had to put in a great effort to keep my grades up.

If you know an athlete that has no clue about how important grades are, let them know. Coaches at most high schools have programs set up for students that struggle academically. My heart goes out to athletes that have amazing talent but can’t make the grades – someone could have helped them.

One last note, some students have parents that are not educated. They don’t know themselves what goes on at school – some don’t even know how to read. But if people help, they can make a difference in one kid’s life. To the people that have helped kids with grades and explained to them the importance, take a bow you’ve made a difference.

Good Sportsmanship - It's Basketball Season Again

I’m not going to be the first person to pick up that stone and throw it. I’ve been around the sport of basketball for many moons. I was a very competitive person in my days, but I never thought of what kind of example I was setting to the young kids. Over the years I’ve learned that many kids don’t listen to the lectures we give them. But what does happen is that they see with their eyes the example that the adults display during a game. I’ve heard most of them, “Go back to ref school you idiot!” Who’s really the idiot here? “Are you kidding, my grandma can ref better then you!” Really … my grandma could not see very well or walk without assistance. “Come on stripes what game are you watching!” Well, obviously the same game you are. In my opinion, competitive people that want to win so bad need to draw the line. Maybe what we need to do is start letting the referees do their job. It’s tough enough officiating a close game without the fans' distraction. I keep thinking what it would have been like when I was a software engineer. With someone at my throat constantly ... my job would not get done.

“You forgot to read the rule book you zebra!” Well, zebras don’t read books. “How much did they pay you ref – I’ll double it!” I’ll be the first to admit I wouldn’t want to pay a referee double what they make, even if it’s the opponent paying him. “Hey ref, did you come from the blind school!” The comments seem to start getting lower every time, I mean really, to include a blind school? In reality the complaints against calls made will not help at all. The only thing it could do is flare up the officials and help your team earn more bad calls. In addition, your child may be doing the same thing as you in the future.

Being a good sport isn’t just about controlling our tempers with officials, but it’s also about thinking of other players on the team and not just your own son or daughter. Cheer for every player on the team – basketball is a team sport not an individual sport. Every kid on that team has put in hours of practice all week long – they’ve helped the team get better. Try your best not to gossip to other parents about why your son or daughter isn’t playing. If you have an issue with that, ask your son or daughter if you can set up a meeting with the coach. The coach will inform you of what skills your child needs to work on to contribute more in a game. Then, follow through and encourage your child to practice every day – hard work pays off.

We’re not perfect, we’re only human. But it’s important that we try our best to set a good example for our younger generation – Lord knows this world really needs it. Basketball season is supposed to be fun and exciting. And although we all want to win, the reality is that one team will end up losing after the game is over.

Go out and support your local college or school. Buy refreshments to help the booster clubs – you can’t watch a game without food … or at least I can’t.

I feel that one of the most important things a parent can do is “listen” to their son or daughter. Ask them if they are having fun and if they aren’t having fun, ask them how you can help.

It's Only Fitting to Let You In

My passion is writing about success stories – mostly sports. There are so many amazing stories here in the great northwest. I will soon be releasing my third book. It’s being published as we speak – I’ll keep you posted on that so stay tuned.

Since I’m the author, it’s only fitting to let you in on how I was inspired to become a great athlete. It all began back in Texas in the seventh grade in 1973. We moved to Oregon in 1976 – love Oregon! At five years old I was in a severe accident that kept me in the hospital for months. I started school late but fought to learn as much as I could. My older brother, Gilberto, was the oldest of six kids in our family. He was a running back – a big strong guy. There was something about watching all of his practices. The teamwork during practices and during real games looked fun and challenging. During basketball season he practiced hard every day. Then track and field season came around and I would watch him practice the high jump.

I wanted to be good enough to be one of the players that made a difference. In football I became a very good kicker and punter – practicing everyday with my younger brother. We would kick the football back and forth on the dirt road next to our house. We did that every day until eventually the football was flying with a nice spiral – the way the NFL kickers displayed in games. In the seventh grade I became the starting punter/kicker. Every year I was the main guy as far as kicking the football. Eventually I went on to become an all-state kicker in high school. Offers from colleges would come my way. I eventually went on to play professional football for two years.

Basketball season was probably the best time of the year for me. We had a box that we tied to the porch rail. This would serve as our basket. We begged our dad to put up a hoop behind the house. A piece of plywood with a cheap rim bolted on it. My dad clamped a pipe to the house and bolted the backboard to a running-roof board. We practiced everyday on the dirt court – endless hours. Again we watched the varsity basketball players and learned from them – how they held the basketball and shot it. I enjoyed the tournaments, games, and meeting new people from other towns. The most points I ever scored in one game was 68, in middle school, 30.

During track and field season, I found myself in the last position as far as any event. I really loved the high jump and the hurdles. The only problem is that I was competing for one of the three spots on each event. As I lined up behind the high jumpers, Coach Joel Reese looked at me and said, “David, you’ll never be a high jumper – give it up.” It was like he took the inner soul out of me and lowered my self esteem. The other high jumpers laughed at me and made fun of me.

I was so angry at Coach Reese. In reality I should have thanked the coach. Every day after school I went to the track and practiced high jump. I borrowed a film strip of Dwight Stone, an Olympic high jumper. I studied his technique – his steps and arch as he went over the bar. I practiced for three solid weeks. I still remember back at the Boys Ranch Invitational Meet. Leon did not show up on the bus. He was one of the three high jumpers. I immediately asked the coach if I could high jump. The coach insisted that I was not a high jumper, but since Leon was gone he allowed me to high jump. I received my first gold medal that meet in the seventh grade clearing a height of 5’2” – in high school I set a record at 6’3”.

Never give up on something, not even if anyone says, “You can’t do this.”