Baby Shaq

Speaking of hoops (I just read the story about Josh), I have a story about Chris on Wednesday. He has been playing lots of basketball this winter, but it is his first love and he is doing quite well. The only thing is, he is a little height challenged. On the Jr. High team, he is the starting power forward but about the same height or a little shorter then the point guard. However, he does have some muscle behind that shorter body. He should be a fullback on the football team or even a center, but we are digressing...

Anyway, on Wednesday, Chris's rec team was playing against the tallest player in the league. He is 6th grader, but about 5'10". He has been dominating in the 6th grade team for the year and just reaches over the top to grab rebounds and put shots back up. Well, the first time down the court, he went to post up down near the basket. Chris saw the play coming and bodied up on him and started to move him out. He did everything with his body as his hands were straight in the air. By the time Billy caught the ball, he was about 10 feet away from the basket and near the foul line. He was not a happy camper, but took the shot. Chris turned around to block him out on the rebound and Billy reached over to try to get the ball back. Whistle and foul. Billy did not get the rebound (Chris did) and he now had his first foul. Billy was really frustrated by the end of the quarter. He had no points, 2 fouls and 1 rebound (defensive).

By the end of the game, Billy had 2 points and 4 fouls. His coach was really unhappy as was Billy's dad. I listened as the referees calmly explained Billy and a teammate were not allowed to climb over the back of another player and sorry that they had not called it before but they would in the future and that the way that Billy was being moved out of the post was not illegal because the other player did not use his hands. Even when Billy was pushing back with his body, he is not nearly as strong as Chris and my bubby just held his position. Most important, he kept his temper the whole time. His Jr. High coach who coaches with me in the rec said that Chris is definately Baby Shaq.