Ande Hammers, Nederland. The interscholastic girls’ basketball team ended the season with a fun game against their parents on Friday, February 8, 2019. The team was coached by John Leventhal, who helped the girls learn correct form, defensive and offensive strategies, and create an unbreakable team spirit. Everyone improved a lot, and the girls’ motivation and camaraderie was strengthened every game.

To wrap up the season, the girls’ parents were invited to test their skills on the court against their kids. The sixth graders joining the inter-mural team came too and participated in the game.

There was cake, cookies and an atmosphere of excitement as each team prepared for the game. A loud chant of “N-M-S-H-S, NMSHS GO NED,” rang through the gym, and the game began. Each parent and kid had a look of determination on their face as they dribbled, passed, shot and scored.

The parents showed off their fancy tricks from the days when they played in middle and high school, and the girls continued to put forth their best effort. In the end, it mattered not who won, but who persevered and played their hardest. As the final quarter drew to a close, there was a smile on everyone’s faces, celebrating the adventure of the season and the team spirit forged between the girls.

The girls’ team will surely remember this season and this game forever and will continue to use their new skills in the years to come.

“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” ~ Arthur Ashe

(Originally published in the February 21, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)