Keaton - Fall Season 8th Grade

Summer ends, school starts ... and it's back to basketball! Keaton played with the Copper Hills Youth Basketball team again. This year, Coach Allfrey was in charge of both 8th grade teams, and they were practicing together at the high school. They played in the Wednesday night Salt Lake Superleague to prepare for the real basketball season coming up.

James was on the team, but he was the only one Keaton had played with before. I got to know Bradley, Dawson, Brenner and Nathan. Mitchell and Brayden were also on the team but then didn't completely finish out the season.

This season was great, in that all the games were at the same location. I would have liked it a little closer, but Eisenhower Jr. wasn't too far out of my comfort zone anyway. It was nice not having to find new schools each week. I like consistency.

The boys had quite a few wins this season, and I did video most of the games. I just never got around to making them into muvee highlight reels as Keaton just didn't seem to care much. I did do one game anyway, the first one. You can catch it here.

Catching Up With Callahan

When the Spring season ended ... what IS a basketball boy to do? Luckily, there was still some basketball going on. In fact, there was a trip down to St. George, where the boys played in a tournament at Dixie.

Callahan had gone to Idaho with his team his 9th grade year and LOVED it. He hadn't done Dixie last year, as he had committed to a church activity during the same dates. But THIS year ... nothing, including the fairly high price tag was going to keep him from participating. You can see in the picture, he could NOT contain his smile or his excitement as he left for a few days of basketball and buddies 24/7 ...

As for SUMMER, Callahan and several friends purchased a three month pass to Gene Fullmer and spent hours during the days hanging out and playing basketball. They would also play at local churches, if someone was able to get the keys to let them in. 

In the FALL, Callahan and most of the other basketball team hopefuls participating in a training program at the high school. There would be time in the gym, running, weights. Callahan was lucky enough to slip into the 4th period basketball class too (reserved for the basketball team members) and that was a lot of running and conditioning (as league restrictions don't allow them to actually play basketball prior to the season starting).  Callahan and the gang he played with in the spring also played in the SLC Superleague for Fall. All prepping for ... 

Basketball Tryouts!

It's here!

Fall Soccer With Colton

Here's Colton and his crew. The Flame Throwers!

Another soccer season for Colton. In the Spring, we played with Uncle Clay and Cousin Addie in Herriman. It was an undefeated season (Spring Soccer).  As Fall soccer signups started up, we just went ahead and signed Colton up at the local rec center and hoped he might know some kids he was placed with (they do try to put kids from the same school together).

The change from Spring to Fall was a big one. It had been the 1st/2nd grade league in the Spring, with smaller fields. Now, it was a 3rd/4th division and the fields were much bigger, much more running. Some teams had a lot of 4th graders (we had one, but the rest were 3rd, with a couple 2nd graders too).

The first game, Colton had several close shots, but none of them went into the goal. The other team did manage to score, so Colton had his first loss. That wasn't the last loss ... they lost every game, until the last one, which ended in a tie at least. Only two goals the entire season. One that final game (for the 1-1 tie), and one a bit earlier, which Colton managed to kick in. It was the first goal of the season and the boys were ecstatic. Here's a quick clip ...

We missed the team pictures this year (Colton went to the Father's and Sons at the sand dunes), so I don't have an official team picture, nor the cute single magnet for my fridge. Oh well ...

Callahan - Spring Fling

Callahan's team played in the State AAU tournament ... I guess I never got around to posting about that. For Spring, the high school coaches divided the kids into two teams.  Callahan was with Ben, Austin, Parker, Casey and Rowland, Jared and Mason (who he hadn't played with in a while ... it was great to have the gang back together!)

Following the Winter Superleague, District League and Idaho Tournament tradition ... the boys made it all the way to the championships and then came in 2nd. So close!  I missed the first three games of this Spring Season (they were in Davis County and we had scheduling conflicts) but I made the rest and got video highlights ...

Game 1. Copper Hills vs Rams

Game 2. Copper Hills vs UBC

Game 3. Copper Hills vs Jordan

Game 4. Copper Hills vs Hunter

Game 5. Copper Hills vs Primo

Game 6. Copper Hills vs Timpview

Game 7. Copper Hills vs Murray

Playoffs Game 1. Copper Hills vs Gluts

Playoffs Game 2. Copper Hills vs UBC

Playoffs Game 3. Copper Hills vs Skyline

Championship Game ... Copper Hills vs Elevate

Keaton - Spring

The team Keaton had played with for Fall and Winter went their separate ways in Spring. He still wanted to play, so I signed him up at Gene Fullmer Rec. We ended up on the team with Zach Norman (who he had played with last year, and who is actually his 3rd cousin or something ... my mom and Zach's grandpa are cousins).  Being recreational (not competitive) basketball, it's not quite as hard core. I have one video from the season so far (here). 

Keaton also got the opportunity to play in the Spring Fling with the West Hills 8th grade team (they just had seven players and thought they might need any extra). He did really well, got quite a bit of playing time and did well.  Keaton hasn't cared too much about highlight videos (not enough to go through clips for me, which I do ask the boys to do) so I didn't get too much footage this season ... here's a quick video of some of the highlights (WestHillsSpringFling2014).

Colton - Junior Jazz

Colton was super excited to sign up for Junior Jazz again. He really enjoys basketball and while there are competitive options out there, Junior Jazz is the main option available for these younger kids.  We signed up with his buddy Randon, and Randon's dad was the coach again (same as last year). Colton's friend Garren also signed up on their team.

In this age group, they don't have a separate practice session, but spend the first 15 minutes in drills, and then play the game. All of Colton's games were at the Gene Fullmer Rec Center, which has a jogging track up above the court. I like to get in double duty, walking and watching ... but I can't do that and video at the same time. I compromised. I jogged the track during the practice sessions, and when Colton was on the bench. When he was playing, I'd run down and man the video camera.  I made two muvees, the first short one is from a single game, and the second (longer one) is a compilation from several games.  

Colton is such a cutie!

I love watching him play.

Callahan Winter 2013-2014

Callahan is now playing for the West Hills 9th grade team. They are playing in the Salt Lake County League  on Thursday nights, and on Saturdays in the school league. I'll try to update here as I finish video highlights ...

Salt Lake County League

• Game 1* (Dec 5, 2013) West Hills vs Sunset Ridge (Win) 71-21
• Game 2 (Dec 12, 2013) West Hills vs 9th Miners (Win) 43-39
• Game 3* (Dec 19, 2013) West Hills vs A-Train Magic (Win) 58-31
• Game 4* (January 2, 2014) West Hills vs Sunset Ridge (Win) 54-29
• Game 5 (January 9. 2014) West Hills vs Brighton (Win) 53-33
• Game 6* (January 16, 2014) West Hills vs Blues Clues (Win) 57-31
• Game 7 (January 23, 2014) West Hills vs Riverton (Loss) 32-37
• Game 8 (January 30, 2014) West Hills vs Stansbury (Win) 50-18
• Game 9 (February 20, 2014) West Hills vs 9th Minors (Loss) 42-46
• Playoff 1 (February 27, 2014) West Hills vs Stansbury (Win) 81-8
• Playoff 2 (March 6, 2014) West Hills vs Brighton (Win) 37-33
• Championship (March 6, 2014) West Hills vs Bingham (Loss) 56-41

Jordan District League

• Game 1* (Dec 14, 2013) West Hills vs Ft. Herriman (Win) 51-35
• Game 2* (Dec 14, 2013) West Hills vs Joel P Jensen (Win) 49-26
• Game 3* (Dec 21, 2013) West Hills vs West Jordan (Win) 50-37
• Game 4 (Dec 21, 2013) West Hills vs Oquirrh Hills (Win) 35-24
• Game 5* (Jan 11, 2014) West Hills vs Elkridge (Win) 56-28
• Game 6* (Jan 18, 2014) West Hills vs South Hills (Win) 48-32
• Game 7 (Jan 25, 2014) West Hills vs South Jordan (Loss) 43-46
• Game 8 (Feb 1, 2014) West Hills vs Copper Mountain (Win) 42-12
• Game 9* (Feb 8, 2014) West Hills vs Sunset (Win) 62-34
• Playoff 1 (February 22, 2014) West Hills vs Fort Herriman (Win) 62-31
• Playoff 2 (March 1, 2014) West Hills vs Copper Mountain (Win) 46-41
• Championship (March 1, 2014) West Hills vs South Jordan (Loss) 30-40

Keaton Winter 2013-2014

Keaton's team is playing together again (sans one, so just seven kids on the team) for Winter. They are playing in the Salt Lake Superleague on Wednesday nights, and in the Salt Lake Bantam League on Saturdays. Check the * for games with video highlights. 

Salt Lake Superleague

• Game 1*: Grizzlies vs SoJo Sonics (December 4, 2013) Win 45-22
• Game 2*: Grizzlies vs Bombers (December 11, 2013) Win 44-29
• Game 3: Grizzlies vs Nitro (December 18, 2013) Win 31-25
• Game 4*: Grizzlies vs Flyboys (January 8, 2014) Win 35-21
• Game 5*: Grizzlies vs The Swarm (January 15, 2014) Win 25-45
• Game 6: Grizzlies vs Herriman (January 22, 2014) Loss 25-34
• Game 7: Grizzlies vs Blue Ice (January 29, 2014) Loss 26-31
• Game 8*: Grizzlies vs Park City (February 5, 2014) Win 51-17
• Game 9*. Grizzlies vs E3 (February 19, 2014) Win 42-25
• Tournament: Grizzlies vs Herriman (February 26, 2014) Loss 25-31

E3 ended up winning the tournament ... (they were 9th seed going in!)

Salt Lake Bantam League

• Game 1*: Grizzlies vs Corner Canyon (December 7, 2013) Win 25-21
• Game 2: Grizzlies vs Brighton Orange (December 14, 2013) Loss 40-43
• Game 3*: Grizzlies vs Miners B (December 21, 2013) Win 44-27
• Game 4: Grizzlies vs Running Wildcats (December 21, 2013) Loss 11-28
• Game 5: Grizzlies vs Silverwolves (January 11, 2014) Win 48-23
• Game 6*: Grizzlies vs Herriman (January 18, 2014) Win 29-14
• Game 7: Grizzlies vs MinersB (January 25, 2014) Loss 24-34
• Game 8: Grizzlies vs Silverwolves Purple (February 8, 2014) Win 54-33
• Tournament 1: Grizzlies vs Herriman (March 1, 2014) Win 41-29
• Tournament 2: Grizzlies vs MinersB (March 8, 2014) Loss

Cooper Junior Jazz (4th Grade)

Last Fall, I signed Cooper up for basketball without telling him ... and he was MAD at me. After a rocky start, he really enjoyed that season, and it was a good experience. Several of the players were continuing on to Junior Jazz and asked Cooper to be on the team. So we signed up.  Cooper was nervous about the "new" team, as there were several new kids. It just wasn't gelling the same, he wasn't getting the passes, the playing time, the scoring. He didn't care for the "kid" refs that he felt didn't call everything (he worries about getting hurt). He played the first few games, then as the season hit it's holiday hiatus ... he didn't want to go back. We only hit a couple of the remaining games.

Here's Cooper's videos (all from the first part of the season, December 2013) ...

Game 1      Game 2      Game 3

Team Picture

Cooper did go to his last game ... 

he didn't really want to but I "encouraged" him to. 

I like closure, and he needed to pick up his pictures and trophy.

Thus ends this season of Junior Jazz. Cooper says he does NOT want to play on a team anymore, and I don't think I'll be pushing him. It's too bad, as he certainly has the talent. 

Keaton Fall 2013

Keaton is on a new team with several of his West Hills buddies, and a few Sunset Ridge players as well. They are a short team ... Keaton is one of the taller players!  They are playing in the Salt Lake Superleague on Wednesday nights, and and the Dimple Dell Superleague on Saturdays as well.  There is probably NOT video highlights for losing games ... Keaton doesn't care about clips if they don't win, so I usually won't invest the time (even though the boys often did great, so many of the games were so close!) ** Games with video highlights are in all caps.

Salt Lake County Superleague

• GAME 1. CH7 vs Utah Warriors (Loss) 23-45
• GAME 2. CH7 vs PF Flyers (Win) 46-37
• GAME 3. CH7 vs Murray Hoops (Win) 34-29
• Game 4. CH7 vs Timpanogos (Loss) 42-43
• Game 5. CH7 vs Utah Warriors (Loss) 17-60
• Game 6. CH7 vs PF Flyers (Loss 30-51)
• Game 7. CH7 vs A-Train (Loss 27-57)

Dimple Dell Superleague

• GAME 1. CH7 vs Legends 6 (Loss) 37-45
• GAME 2. CH7 vs Cavemen (Win) 42-38
• Game 3. CH7 vs Leverage6th (Keaton missed this game ... Loss 49-50)
• Game 4. CH7 vs Lone Peak (Loss) 39-41
• Game 5. CH7 vs Leverage (Loss 38-55)

Callahan Fall 2013

It was one year ago that Callahan missed out on the Fall season(s) with a broken foot. Now, as a 9th grader, there aren't quite as many options. There is a Thursday night league (Salt Lake Superleague), so he is playing in that. There are so many talented 9th graders, that they are spread out over four different teams. Two are all West Hills 9th graders. One is a few 9th graders from Sunset along with some 10th graders, and then a couple of Callahan's friends are on another team as well. 

• Game 1. CH9 vs A-Train Black. Win (30-28) September 19, 2013
• Game 2. CH9 vs A-Train White. Win (48-41) September 26, 2013
• Game 3. CH9 vs Olympus Titans. Loss (27-66) September 26, 2013
• Game 4. CH9 vs CH9  ( Loss 36-40) October 3, 2013
• Game 5. CH9 vs West Jordan (Win 40-31) October 10, 2013
• Game 6. CH9 vs CH9/10 (Loss) October 24, 2013
• Game 7. CH9 vs Pump N Run  (Win 27-34) November 7, 2013

Cooper & Crew

A couple years ago Cooper played Junior Jazz and he did great! Last year, he didn't want to play and he took the season off. As I was looking toward the Fall season, I thought I'd sign him up for the rec league at Gene Fullmer. He'd be at the top of the division (3rd/4th) and I figured it would be a good transition back into basketball. I didn't ask Cooper before I signed him up, as I knew he would say no. I hoped after a good game experience, he'd acclimate. When I first told him (a couple hours before the first practice) he was SO upset with me. He finally calmed down and went to practice but still said he did NOT want to play. I told him I needed him to play one game, then we would make a decision. If he really wanted to drop out, I would let him.

He played the first game and enjoyed it.

• Game 1 (September 21) WIN
• Game 2 (September 28 ) WIN ... four points
• Game 3 (October 5) WIN ... six points
• Game 4 (October 12) WIN ... four points
• Game 5 (October 26) WIN ... four points
• Game 6 (November 2) WIN ... 15 points
• Game 7 (November 9) Win ... 14 points
• Game 8 (November 16) Loss (dang it! *Ü*)

Basketball Begins Again ...

School is back in session and basketball begins again! Hopefully Callahan will be able to stay unbroken this year! There are three Copper Hills teams playing in the Salt Lake County Rec league. Callahan's crew had their first game last night. It's a 9th/10th league ... we're not sure how many of the teams are sophomores. They may be a bit of an underdog in this league, but they actually got the win in game 1 (see it HERE). 

Keaton will have his first game next week ... he's with some new kids (they are a small team), 7th graders playing in a 7th/8th league on Wednesday nights.

I signed Cooper up for basketball too ... much to his chagrin. He is NOT happy with me! We'll have to see how it goes.

Summer Season

As summer was approaching, Callahan and Keaton definitely wanted to continue to play, but their CHHS teams were both taking a break for the summer season. I asked Callahan's old coach if he was planning on playing (rec ball was fine for Callahan's comeback). He really hadn't been, but he said that he would. We got a couple of Callahan's buddies to come join, and I ended up putting Keaton on the team too (he was playing up, a 6th grader in the 7th/8th league).  He wasn't the only 6th grader, nor the smallest ... although he was definitely the smallest on THIS team! One kid was in 7th, but all the rest were 8th graders. We were bigger and better than most of the teams out there and it was a pretty easy season. But it was perfect for Callahan to get back in the game, and Keaton really wasn't out of place playing up. It was a lot of fun watching the boys play together.  They had an undefeated season.  I didn't get any video, as I was busy jogging the track during their games. I probably should have taken one day off and made a muvee, but I'm sure there are many more games in the future.

Catching Up with Callahan

Well ... Callahan's basketball season was MUCH different than we'd expected with the TWO breaks. It wasn't until April that he got the go ahead to play again. His team had played in the AAU State Tournament, the AAU Spring Fling and in the Dimple Dell Spring league. Callahan did get in a couple of games at the very end of the Dimple Dell season. 

We signed Callahan up for the University of Utah Basketball Tournament June 13-15. They played several games and just had a ton of fun hanging out together all day. Then there was the CHHS camp (June 17-20) and he really enjoyed that too. A bunch of the boys went to a tournament in St. George at the end of June, but Callahan had youth conference that same time and had already committed to that.

Callahan is planning on buying a summer pass to the local rec center and spending many days there during the summer getting back into the game!