Last night, my 6th grade son participated in the finals of a recreational basketball league end of season tournament. Unfortunately, they lost. However, the point I want to make about this team is that win or lose, they play as a team.

You see, there are only 5 boys on the team. No reserves on the bench, no one to play if someone is sick or injured. There has actually been more than one occasion when the team had to finish a game with only four players on the court.

When you only have 5 players, you have to be smart in what you do. I am no basketball genius, but what I do know is that these 5 boys were the hardest working, most selfless boys I have ever seen. They listen to their coach, buy into what he preaches, and execute the plays. They actually like each other! I don’t remember a time in the whole season where one of the boys tried to be the ’star’.

As I said, they were the runner-up last night, but in my mind they are the champions!

I look forward to seeing these boys play together for years to come. Maybe they will be able to add a few bodies to the team and teach by example the selflessness they showed all year.

GO HOUNDS!!