Chris makes JV Basketball

For various predictable reasons, I've been slow in posting. But I couldn't let the evening go by without posting that today Chris made the CMW JV Basketball team as a point guard. Mom and Dad are super proud (Wooo Hoo!!! Way to go Chris!!!)

75 kids showed up for try-outs, total for JV and Varsity (about 50 and 25 respectively). After "first cuts" there were 13 for Varsity and 25 for JV. The final evaluation practice was Monday, and we suspect the final JV count is between 13 and 15. For both cuts, the kids were notified about 10 minutes after practice was over. First cut was just posted, final cut was called in and notified one-on-one or small groups with the coach. Chris received word from the coach in a group of three, including also Bobby, with whom he played last year in Rec and Travel and whose father coached the Rec team (with me), and Josh who played AAU this summer with Chris. Bobby and Josh go "way back" with Chris, so this was nice. Apparently, Bobby has grown since last year, and Josh, who doesn't even threaten the 5-foot mark, probably has not. Josh's specialty is long-range shooting, incredibly effective.

I missed posting loads of little events, too, including the conclusion of the JV football season, where CMW upset the (considerably smaller) Joppatowne to secure the second place finish in the county. If you don't want the details, stop here, and post a comment for Chris, the only other thing I'm writing in this post is the excitement of that game.

Still with me? OK. It was a biting, bitter cold evening. Joppatowne seemed to control the ball throughout the first half. CMW defense bent, but didn't break. Scoreless throughout regulation. Except for the last play. Joppatowne broke out a 65 yard touchdown run with time expiring, and missed the (untimed) point after, taking a 6-0 lead and momentum into halftime. CMW didn't give up, and while their second-half defense wasn't breaking, the offense wasn't moving the ball much either. With under two minutes to go, Joppatowne's drive stalled at the CMW 10. Their field goal attempt was blocked and CMW got the ball at about the 15. Two plays of near disaster, then on third down with the pocket collapsing, CMW QB finds his wide receiver (also the kicker) crossing the field. The perfect strike was caught in stride and the receiver races 85 yards to the touchdown! For the extra point, the snap was good, the hold, the kick BLOCKED! But only partially... the ball sent high into the air and still makes it through! CMW advantage 7-6 with a minute to play. Game's not over.

Kick off pins Joppatowne inside their 20. Two harmless desperate plays followed by INTERCEPTION! CMW returns to the 18. 42 ticks left in the game, Joppatowne with one time out, take a knee and win the game, right? The call is a running play. Joppatowne steps aside and watches the runner score. Two-point conversion misses, and CMW is up 13-6, now a fragile 7 point lead, giving the ball back to Joppatowne.

This kickoff also pins Joppatowne around their 20, and Joppatowne throws two harmless deperate passes as the CMW D-Line brings heavy pressure. Time for only one more play. Joppatowne drops for a pass, pressure is coming, Quarterback is grabbed, he lets go with a short flick to the running back still in the backfield. He runs left around the defense, encounters more opponents and cuts back all the way across the field and up the right sideline, past midfield, evades the safety, up the sideline and knocked out of bounds inside the CMW 20! End of regulation! Penalty! The game can't end on a defensive penalty--the call: PASS INTERFERENCE. OFFENSE! Penalty is refused, time has expired, that's the ball game!!