The Sweep

They did it!

First, it was volleyball.

Next, came softball.

In third quarter, soccer was the sport.

And this past weekend, basketball.

In every tournament, their eighth grade year, this group of boys came out victorious.

Now before you excuse me of bragging unnecessarily, my reasons for bragging are not the obvious.

Its what's behind those medals, what went into their success, that I want to share.

Middle school sports began in sixth grade. They were just a bunch of new middle schoolers. Individuals on the same team. They had skills, but that was about it. During their softball tournament that year, they became frustrated with one another. Yelling ensued. It wasn't one of their best moments.

Last year, they placed second in every tournament. Thy had more skills, but they still lacked something.

They found it this fall...

maturity, leading to the game winning ingredient- teamwork.

I witnessed it first on the volleyball court. It was the championship game. Their opponents, the team that beat them the previous year. They lost a few points due to mistakes. Instead of falling apart, blaming each other, and trying desperately to regain the lead, they remained calmed, composed. They relied on their teammates to get the job done. They played and won as a team.

This was repeated over and over again through out the year.

Yes, I am happy of their successful year, but more importantly,  proud that they did it as a team!

Way to go eighth graders!