That Jersey Number

That Jersey number, whatever it may be that season.. that one belongs to me. That's our kid. That guy who just helped someone else up, that's our kid. The kid who just banked all his free throws? That one is ours. That guy who just drove all the way up the court and took the shot and everyone yells "AND ONE!!!".. that guy belongs to us. 

I can honestly say I have never been ashamed to say "that one is our kid" on the sidelines. Carter has worked so hard and developed so much over the last year. He truly has dedicated himself to his passion. Basketball has become his life and it's been amazing to see him excel as a player but also as a human. I am so proud of him. 

This season, more than ever before, feels heavy with happiness and sad for a season to end at the same time. Carter played on both the Sr. school basketball team and his community team simultaneously. On one court he rocked the jersey number 10 and at school he wore Jersey number 2 with pride. We are so proud of him. 

Carter was a key part to both of these teams. Brian coached his community team again this year. They battled all season to make it to the top of their division only to be crushed by having their team move up a division just for playoffs. We all felt slighted, it was frustrating to battle to the top only to be move up to the bottom of the next division. This team battled so hard but at the end of it all, they lost in overtime in city finals and ended up 4th place. It was a tough loss for Carter but one thing this kid has is his ability to feel it, let it out, and move forward. Learn from experiences and move on. 

This standing meant no provincials for Carter this year. It was a sad moment but Carter played in Zones for his final ever Jr. High Basketball career. My heart was so happy that they ended on the happiest note. Carter played GREAT! He left his entire soul on that court. Parents coming up to us saying how incredible he played. I brushed it off with a soft "Aww thank you, he did great" but inside I was beaming with pride, ready to jump on him and celebrate his giant win! 

Carter played so many minutes this final game. He got a black eye during zones and was BEAT UP but said he had the best time. He made 8 of his 8 free throws and arguably would have made 10/10 if his coach let him shoot his free throws without pulling him off the court as an injury sub because he was just rocked against the wall. Don't worry though.. Carter was back in that game and faked any pain he felt to do it. He wasn't gonna miss one more minute of court time if he could help it. 

His team earned the 2025 championship banner for zones. We were all so proud and happy and it was the perfect bookend to his final season with Jr. High Basketball. 

Carter has the best of friends in basketball, no wonder he loves it so much. And to finish it all off... how do I really even try to articulate what this final week/entire season has been like. I knew it would be hard to let it all go when it finished. Closing a book I never wanted to end in the first place. This really was the best season. Filled with competition, heartbreak, hustle and good freaking wins! There was so many battles and battle wounds, there's gold and silver medals hanging in his room a banner proudly being hung at school with "Champions" written on it. And all while the chaos surrounds me, I find myself in complete awe and gratitude for these kids. For our village, for the moments. For friendships and lessons learnt. Oh my heart. We close a chapter for Carter with Jr. High Basketball. It has been the best 3 years. This has been the most fun experience. I really am not ready to let it go but he's gonna keep working, sweating, hustling and making more opportunities for himself. There is more! Man, I am proud of this kid. 

So proud of you, Carter. Love you bud. Keep living your passion. You're the best.