AAU Memorial Day Tournament

So, after an 8-0 Spring Season full of blowout games, we decided to try an AAU Tournament over Memorial Day weekend. Jared's family had camping plans, so we missed him greatly. Rowland's family also had plans, but they changed them up to allow Rowland to participate, and he was greatly needed! The tournament was a humbling experience for the boys. We lost all three games. But it is good for them to remember being on the other side, and gives them something to shoot for. Here's some highlights ...

Game 1 Thunder vrs Vivint Elite

May 27, 2011 (5:00)

Glad this was our first game! While it was a loss, it wasn't a beatdown, and Callahan, Mason and Rowland especially landed some spectacular shots ... unfortunately the other team did too *Ü* 48-60.

Game 2 Thunder vrs Madison Cats

May 28, 2011 (9:00)

This team came in from Idaho. Makes me feel grateful that this opportunity is SO close by for us. The boys didn't seem quite as "on" as in the last game, there were a lot of missed shots ... but enough great shots to make a highlight reel too. 35 - 62.

Game 3 Thunder vrs Royals

May 28, 2011 (1:00)

We came into this game a little apprehensive, as this team had beaten both teams we had played thus far. We had heard there was a big kid on the team ... is he really 12? Can I see a birth certificate please? I think the team was a good team even without their #16 (who looked at least 16), but it was really hard to see anything past that one kid. We had a few injuries, Callahan went down toward the end and didn't make it back into the game. Short video ... not a lot of highlights, but it was Joey's best game ... 19-56

So ... I don't know that we're quite ready for full competition. We are going to play up for summer season, against 7th and 8th graders. There will probably be some stiff competition, but not this AAU level play. And maybe we can bid farewell to the gold/white uniforms.

Gene Fullmer Spring 2011

Spring season has started ... we're happy to have Mason back on the team *Ü*. Coming in as a well-working team and all 6th graders (in a 5th/6th league), I do expect the team to dominate this season. The team would probably consider going competition (Superleague), but once you go competition, the rec league won't let you come back and play, and I don't know if Superleague seasons run year round like this league does. While our team could probably hold their own up a grade against 7th graders, playing up here would pit them against 8th graders too, and the height and skill difference there is a little too great. That shift will come shortly (in summer or fall) as our boys shift to 7th grade anyway.

Here's the Hoop Highlights ...

Game 1

March 26, 2011

Win (62-15)

An easy win. Jared started us off ... boy did he start us off! While everyone did well, Rowland was the top scorer with 18 points! Not really any outside shots going in this game, almost everything was popped up from right under the basket. We were missing Stockton today. Nice to have Mason back on the team :)

Game 2

April 2, 2011

Win (ah ...who's counting?)

Today was actually a tough game ... tough in that the teams were woefully mismatched. It's actually HARD ... what do you do when your team is working like clockwork and the other team can't land a shot (seriously, at the half, the other team was zero and they had stopped counting our baskets). I've been on the other side, when it's YOUR kids who are getting demolished, I know it isn't any fun. Our coach can't pull the "good" kids out ... all the kids on the team are good. Do you tell our boys to purposely MISS? They started taking harder outside shots ... but they made many of those too. During the third quarter, our boys did hold back, letting the other team get shots off, letting them get the rebounds ... it was actually a very quiet game ... not much cheering, no adrenaline rush. I think the score was 83-32. But you can see how well our boys work together. There was SO much passing and selfless sharing of the ball. We were missing Rowland and Tanner today... and Joey got a haircut!

Game 3

April 9, 2011

Win (63-14)

It was a cold and snowy day ... isn't is supposed to be SPRING? The other sports (soccer, baseball, flag football) were all cancelled because of the weather, but basketball goes on! Another easy win for the team. We had a complete team today, and EVERYONE scored! I am missing one of Stockton's shots (for some reason I thought the other team was throwing the ball in and didn't have the camera ready).

Game 4

April 16, 2011

Win (82-14)

Missing Parker today. Everyone on our team scored.

Game 5

April 30,

Win (54-13)

We had a complete team today, and everyone scored! While it was an easy win, it was not a complete runaway like some of the previous games. It was another snowy spring day ... soccer games canceled, so glad that basketball plays on no matter the weather!

Game 6

May 7, 2011

Win (57-24)

I was late coming to the game today, missed most of the first quarter. I was just off today, also missed some more shots during the game (including the final shot by Tanner). This was probably the most competitive game. A couple former teammates on the other team. Still a fairly easy win. Tanner's birthday celebration after. Happy birthday Tanner!

Game 7

May 14, 2011

Win (64-12)

Missing Brendan today ... but everyone who was there scored. Our team isn't super tall, but there were several really small kids on the opposing team. During the first few minutes, our team was actually behind! Our boys had made one basket, then the other team made a three pointer. The first time the opposing team has been ahead all season *Ü*

Game 8

May 21, 2011

Win (85-27)

The final game of the season. Keaton came to watch too, as it was the opposing team was his coach and a couple (4th grade) players from his team. Just a couple notes on the song in the video above ... MatchboxTwenty's "How Far We've Come" ... this team really HAS come a long way. It was a year ago, Spring Season 2010 that this group of boys first came together. It's a great group of boys! Also, the song talks about the world coming to an end ... ironic as May21, 2011 was said by some to be "Rapture" ... the end of the world. I guess they were wrong *Ü* Just the end of the spring season.

So ... up next ... an AAU Tournament and then summer season (playing 5th/6th again, or willing to risk 7th/8th division? True, the boys might be on the other end, the ones getting beat ... but I don't know that we need another season of domination). I'm happy to bid these "gold/yellow, hard to tell the difference from the white" uniforms goodbye! Wonder what they will be next season?

Hoop Highlights (Keaton's Crew) Spring

Gene Fullmer Spring 2011

Keaton has played Junior Jazz for the past few years, but decided he wanted MORE basketball, so he signed up for Spring season, joining a coach and his son that Callahan had played with (and against). It was a good little team, 7-1 for the season. Here are the highlights (most recent at the top).

May 21, 2011 (Game 8)

A slow game, especially in the first half. Neither team could get the ball in the basket. Our team finally snapped out of it for the second half ... but it's a shorter video than usual *Ü*

May 15, 2011 (Game 7)

... another easy win ... I received a new video camera for Mother's Day, this was my first time using it. It makes it easier to zoom in and zoom back out :) Hopefully, I was able to get more/better video. I don't think I missed any shots today.

May 07, 2011 (Game 6)

Happy to be at this game, as there was a possible conflict with a scouting activity ... easy win for the team. I missed the first basket (by Max) and a steal/layup (by Keaton) in the second half.

April 30, 2011 (Game 5)

The game started off pretty even, the our team pulled ahead and stayed there for the rest of the game. Lots of nice shots from our boys! Keaton got a couple great steals (I often don't get the defensive plays on video) and turned them into fast break layups. Nice win!

April 16, 2011 (Game 4)

We had Callahan's game right before, I barely got there to catch the start of the game. It was a pretty easy win for the boys.

April 9, 2011 (Game 3)

Cold and snowy day ... all outside sports were cancelled, but BASKETBALL plays on! If you see a familiar face on the side, Callahan's coach was the coach for the opposing team (he is coaching four different teams!) It was a pretty good match, but our team was victorious.

April 2, 2011 (Game 2)

Dad took Keaton to the game today (and took the video with his Iphone), as Mom was busy at Callahan's game, which was at the same time. Keaton did great and the team won.

March 26, 2011 (Game 1)

The opposing team is probably the toughest our kids will have to face this season. We lost the game, but kept it close. The video is just a few quick clips of Keaton.

Junior Jazz - 6th Grade Team Division

Junior Jazz

6th Grade Team Division

This team has been together for almost a year now ... they took third in the spring, and back to back "titles" (first place) in summer and fall. Going into this winter season, we lost Mason and Cody, who had committed to other teams. Instead of replacing them, the team went into the season with just eight ... more playing time! Undefeated in the season!

December 18, 2010 (Game One) 6:00

A great game for Callahan, and Stockton (who made THREE three pointers!) The other team was good, but we beat them pretty easily. Callahan had 13 points and 7 assists.

January 8, 2011 (Game Two) 4:00

Another good game and an easy win. Jared really came out to play! Callahan had 11 points and 9 assists, close to a double double.

January 15, 2011 (Game Three) 4:00

Callahan had been looking forward to this game, as the other team had three good friends on it (Mason, Hunter and Cole). Those three did bring their team close enough to make it a little nerve wracking for our team, but we managed to get the win. One kid on the other team was a little overly physical with fouls, that made it a bit less fun. Joey was out with an injury. Callahan had a great game, 20 points and 6 assists.

January 22, 2011 (Game Four) 4:00

Our team was a little worried about this game and the other team's man-to-man defense, Klint even held a white board practice before the game to review some new plays. We got a pretty easy win. Still undefeated ... still missing Joey. EVERYone on the team got points today! Callahan had 17 points and 7 assists.

January 29, 2011 (Game Five) 6:00

Callahan's grandparents came out to see the game. The team seemed just a bit off at the start (Callahan had missed practice last night as we had family tickets to the Jazz game), but they soon got into their usual groove. An easy win. Callahan had 23 points and 8 assists (although I can't tell from the video half the time ... SOMEONE didn't do a very good job behind the camera, too close, too far, blurry ... come on!)

February 5, 2011 (Game Six) 3:00

We were missing Stockton (and this three pointers) today :( ... luckily, it was still an easy win for the team. Everyone on the team scored today. Callahan had 20 points and 9 assists.

February 12, 2011 (Game Seven) 3:00

A change in venue today. The game was played at West Jordan Middle School, which Callahan actually preferred over the divided court at CopperHills. The game before ran over by 20 minutes, so we started late. Landon was actually on ref duty there, and was on to ref this game (fully disclosed that his brother was on the team). It was an easy win. Callahan had 18 points and 9 assists. Undefeated in the season ... Championship game next week!

February 19, 2011 (Game Eight) 5:00

The Championship game, held at Gene Fullmer. Usually I jog the track during Gene Fullmer games, but as this was the BIG game, I said I'd make a video for Callahan, and he had quite a game (19 points), so I'm glad I did! We had beaten this team once before, but they are one of the better teams and they did keep it close and a bit nerve-wracking there near the end. But our boys did get the lead and kept it the entire game. Congrats on another 1st place win!

Superleague 2010-2011

Superleague Utes

This is Callahan's second year playing on the Ute's Superleague team. We lost three players from last year, and gained a couple new ones (Cody and Hunter, both of whom Callahan has played with on the Gene Fullmer leagues).

Game One: At Franklin Covey (9:00)

Utes vs Salt Lake Metro

December 8, 2010

47-43 (Win)

What a great way to start the season! Callahan got things going with a three-pointer was on fire with several great shots. I was so glad Dad was there to see it. It was a challenging but fun game, we won by three points. This was the first game I shot video of, and I kept the camera on Callahan and didn't get everyone's baskets in. There were a lot of great shots from other team members I missed capturing on camera, but I'll try to get them all from here on out!

Game Two: Bennion (7:00)

Utes vs Runnin' Miners

December 15, 2010

48-26 (Win)

This was a "messy" game ... so many fouls! Hunter fouled out. But it was a fairly easy win. Good thing I wasn't focusing JUST on Callahan and his shots ... or this would have been a short video!

Game Three: Bennion (6:00)

Utes vs Olyminators

January 5, 2011

27-28 (Loss)

Our first loss. We were ahead the entire game, until the last few seconds. They made a three to put them up by one. This same team did this last year too (won by a three pointer in the final seconds). I definitely think we could have easily won, there were a lot of missed shots. Hopefully we'll get another rematch.

Game Four: Bennion (9:00)

Utes vs Riverton Heat

January 12, 2011

51-48 (Win)

I'm beginning to think all the games at Bennion are foul heavy ... maybe it's the refs? This game was neck and neck the entire time. Tied at the half, the other team was ahead as the third quarter ended. Tons of foul shots in the final minute of the game. Bo Hunter had his best game yet. We won by three points. It was Chase's birthday, U cookies given afterwards.

Game Five: West High (8:00)

Utes vs Park City Miners

January 19, 2011

48-22 (Win)

Thanks to Stockton's family for letting Callahan and I hitch a ride. This was a small gym ... a bit claustrophobic, not a lot of seating (or good spots to video from). The opposing team had a female coach AND a couple of girls on the team. They kept it even for the first few minutes, then our team pulled ahead for a pretty easy win. Everyone on the team scored points in this game *Ü*

Game Six: Bennion Jr. High (9:00)

Utes vs SL Basketball

January 26, 2011

44-29 (Win)

Back to Bennion (which is nice and close so I'm not complaining!). Our team pulled ahead early and kept the lead the entire time. We were missing Hunter (home sick) today ... Just a note, there are some shots missing from today's video :( I had turned the camera off for a moment when the other team got the ball, and didn't get it turned back on quickly enough as Cody stole the ball and made a basket. Then, the memory on the camera was full, and while I was frantically deleting some old video to make room, I know Bo (Hunter) made another basket and Cody made a couple more at the free throw line. At least this does prep me for next week when we have a double header ... I'll have a backup memory card (and maybe a backup camera too!)

Game Seven: Bennion Jr. High (7:00) February 02, 2011

Utes vs Sonics

53-26 (Win)

This was a fun game ... TWO three pointers by Callahan, a crazy behind the back shot by Bo, CHASEing layups, and a long open pass to Michael were just a few of the more memorable baskets.

Game Eight: Bennion Jr. High (8:00) February 2, 2011

Utes vs Stallions

44-22 (Win)

The second of a double header ... do back to back games provide an advantage or disadvantage? On one hand, the kids are tired from just playing a game ... on the other hand, they're all warmed up! While we had looked at this second game with a bit of trepidation (the other team had only lost one game, and they had two HUGE players!) but it was a pretty easy win. A bit of frustration with the 3-second calls (or lack thereof). I was impressed with the sportsmanship of the other team, as they would often extend a hand to help up one of our boys after a foul. There were quite a few fouls, the other team was in the penalty, giving us some extra free throws.

Game Nine: Granite Park Jr. (6:00)

Utes vs SS Wildcats

February 9, 2011

51-42 (Win)

We'd heard a little about this team before heading into the game ... they were small, but fast. They liked to press. Our boys worked on breaking a press in practice and they need to put those skills to the test. It was a very challenging and fast moving game. Our team pulled ahead from the start and kept the lead for the entire game for the win. We did have a LOT of turnovers though! Everyone on the team scored today. We were missing Stockton this game. Clay and Courtney and the kids came to cheer Callahan on. Dad was there too!

Utes vs Pump-n-Run

Game Ten: Franklin Covey (8:00)

February 16, 2011

40-24 (Win)

Wild weather this day ... wind blew in quite a snowstorm! Our team had to change their jerseys to the white side for the first time (the opposing team was also red). This was Michael's game, with 14 points (one of his baskets is missing from the footage, camera issues!) The other team tied it up the first quarter, but then our boys pulled ahead and kept the lead for the rest of the game for the win.

TOURNAMENT

Utes vs SLBB (Hoops)

Tournament Game 1: Franklin Covey (9:00)

February 23, 2011

40-24 (Win)

Entering the single elimination tournament ... this was the team we played in Game 6. Callahan got in FOUR three pointers (ok ... one didn't count) ... if you watch, you'll see him shake the "magic eight ball" before his free throw in the final portion of the game (an inside joke at practice). We were missing Cody out with an injury.

AAU President's Day Tournament

So another team approached Callahan and asked if he would join them for an AAU tournament over President's Day weekend ... so he did. He got in one scrimmage and one practice and then it was tournament time. We hadn't had any AAU experience to this point. The other teams did seem to be Superleague quality ... our boys going in weren't quite up to the challenge and lost all three games. It's not all bad to have to learn to deal with loss and continue to be a good sport when you are NOT the winning team. Callahan had to leave the third game early, but here are the videos of the first two games. Yes ... they were losses ... but I just feature the highlights in MY videos *Ü*

Game 1 (7:00)

February 18, 2011

West Jordan High School

Game 1 (2:00)

February 19, 2011

West Jordan High School

Church Ball 2011

Callahan LOVES basketball ... in our ward, the young men's basketball program is mainly for the Teachers and Priests, although Deacons CAN play. Of course, with Callahan's late birthday (in Feb) there wasn't much basketball season left for him once he did finally turn 12. Callahan is completely dwarfed by all the older boys! It was fun to be able to watch both Landon and Callahan play together ... the Blackham Brothers! I made it to two games ... here's the muvees ...

February 5, 2011

April 08, 2011

Cooper's Crew

This was Cooper's first Junior Jazz season. Originally, he hadn't wanted to sign up for basketball, saying soccer was his favorite sport. After realizing he wouldn't be playing soccer in the snow, he asked to sign up for basketball. Luckily, we were able to get him on a team. Cooper did GREAT! He started the season in an arm brace, recovering from a broken arm. Looks like we have another allstar on our hands!

December 11, 2010

January 29, 2011

Keaton's Hoop Highlights

Junior Jazz 2010-2011 ... Keaton's done a little soccer, baseball and of course basketball ... he's participated in Junior Jazz for a few years now. This year (4th Grade), he had a couple classmates from Columbia on his team, and made some new friends. He had a good season (5 wins, three losses). I made two videos of his games this season ...

December 11, 2010

January 29, 2011

GF Basketball (2010)

Callahan has been playing basketball since he could dribble. We were thrilled to discover year round playing opportunities at Gene Fullmer. Spring, Summer and Fall ball, in addition to the standard Jr. Jazz during the winter months. Unlike Jr. Jazz, which is played at various schools in the area, Gene Fullmer Basketball is played at the rec center ... and the rec center has a track above the basketball court. So usually, I'm on the track, jogging while cheering, feeding off the energy of the game. So unlike the current seasons, where I'm capturing video and making a muvee of EVERY game, I only have four to feature from the three 2010 seasons (two from spring season, and two from fall season, when the games were held at a different rec center that didn't have a track).

November 16, 2010

September 25, 2010

If you look, you'll see some familiar faces on the opposing team (from the Superleague Utes!)

Spring 2010 - The Last Game

Spring 2010

Superleague 2009-2010

Basketball Backlog

Basketball through the years ... I thought it would be fun to go back and find all the team photos from when Callahan first started playing. It seems like he's been playing FOREVER, but I THINK the first time he played was Jr. Jazz in the 2006-2007 season ...Here are some of the photos I found, starting and updating with the most recent ...

Gene Fullmer Fall 2010

Coach: Klint Koontz

Jared, Cody, Parker, Joey, Rowland

Stockton, Mason, CALLAHAN, Tanner, Brenden

1st Place!

Gene Fullmer Summer 2010

Coach: Klint Koontz

Stockton, Brendan, Joey, Cody, Parker, Jared

Tanner, Callahan, Mason, Tristan

1st Place!

Gene Fullmer Spring 2010

Coach: Klint Koontz

Callahan, Mason, Stockton, Tristan, Tanner

Parker, Rowland, Jared, Brendan, Cody

3rd place out of 9 teams

2009-2010 Superleague (5th Grade)

Coach: Reggie Jewkes

Tristan, Callahan, Michael, Daniel, Brian

Hunter, Crosby, Josh, Chase, Stockton

(2nd place out of eleven teams)

2009-2010 Jr. Jazz Upper Division Comp (5th Grade)

Coach: Amber Hackwell

Anthony, Hunter, Parker, Stockton, Nate

Casey, Cole, Callahan, Kaden, Tristen

(2nd place out of four teams)

Gene Fullmer Fall League 2009 (5th/6th)

Coach: Amber Hackwell

Henry, Stockton, Anthony, Gage, Hunter

Altimar, Tristan, Drake, Callahan (Tyler not pictured)

(there were 10 teams this season, combined with Taylorsville, I don't think we knew our exact placement, but it wasn't in the top few. This was the first season moving up into the 5th/6th grade league, coming in with our continued team, we were all 4th/5th graders ... Callahan missed two games for our trip to Disneyland).

Gene Fullmer Summer League 2009 (3rd/4th)

Coach: Amber Hackwell

Callahan, Stockton, Tyler, Jared, Anthony

Kaden, Gage, Nate, Tristan, Zach

(1st Place! 3rd place heading into the playoff, we beat the 2nd place team and moved up the championships, and then managed to beat the first place team, the boys were estatic!)

Gene Fullmer Spring 2009 (3rd/4th)

Braxton, Anthony, Jared, Nate, Stockton

Tristan, Tyler, Gage, Callahan, Kaden

(This was a great season, eight teams, most pretty evenly matched. We came in 2nd)

Jr. Jazz 2008-2009 (4th Grade)

Anthony, Nate, Braxton, Stockton, Callahan

Tristan, Tyler, (?) Kaden, Zach

(Good season ... played out at Sunset Ridge Junior High ... lost one, tied one, won the rest, but of course with Jr. Jazz there are so many teams that we didn't play against everyone. There were a couple really tough teams out there that we never came up against).

Gene Fullmer Fall 2008 (3rd/4th)

Braxton, Kaden, Zach, Stockton, Tristan

Zac, Tyler, Max, Anthony, Callahan, Ethan

(4th place out of six ... Introduction of Amber as our coach ... she had taken over some of the coaching duties last season when the coach was late or couldn't be there, then decided to step up so that the kids could stay together as a team ... we ended up staying together for 5 more seasons! Amber was a great coach, always on time to games and practices, making sure the kids had FUN in addition to being competitive. Thanks Amber, for all you did for the team!)

Gene Fullmer Summer 2008 (3rd/4th)

Braxton, Mac, Max, Issac, Anthony, Lake

Stockton, Callahan, Tyler, Ethan

Gene Fullmer Spring 2008

(Can't remember the top row ...)

Jared, Nate, Sinai, Jacob, Callahan

Jr. Jazz 2007-2008 (3rd Grade)

Jr. Jazz 2006-2007 (2nd Grade)

I'm sure there was actually a complete team, but only half were there for the team photo!

Callahan's Soccer Days

Before Callahan played basketball, he played soccer. I only have video of his kindergarten year. He was SO cute! He played for several years, ending on a competition team that conflicted with basketball ... so that was the end of soccer!

Kindergarten Callahan

Colton's Soccer Videos

Colton loves soccer too ... here are his videos, most recent at the top ...

The Green Monkeys - Fall 2011

The Blue Sharks - Fall 2011

The Pirahanas - Spring 2011

May 2011

April 2011

The Green Monkeys - Summer 2010

Cooper's Soccer

Cooper started playing soccer before kindergarten, and has continued each year ... so, starting in chronological order, here are some of his games/seasons ...

Spring 2009

Cooper was able to join up with an existing team in the West Jordan league ... they play Fall&Spring, but sometimes kids move or lose interest by the time the Spring seasons starts up again. A number of kids in the neighborhood were on the team (Megan, Ben and Riley. They were a year older in school, in kindergarten while Cooper was still in preschool, but in his class at church) , and the coach was Scott Gillette, a friend and neighbor. At this point in his life, Cooper was very shy and rarely left home. I was so happy to have this be a little social outlet which pushed him a bit out of his comfort zone. He loved practices and would even go with Scott when picked up for practice.

Fall 2009

In the Fall, Cooper wanted to try soccer again. We hadn't signed up with the West Jordan league (as those signups are SO early, in the preceeding spring ... it's hard to make a committment that far in advance). We did sign up with friends (Jaxon and Corbin) and it was good to have other parents around, as Keaton was also playing that season and they often had games at the same time. Mom would try to watch both, running inbetween the fields!

Spring 2010

We signed up with Gene Fullmer again for Spring. We got on the same team with Marc, who had been on the Fall team and was in Cooper's Kindergarten class. There were several other kids from the kindergarten class too, so that was fun.

Fall 2010

This year we had planned ahead and signed up with the West Jordan league with Cooper's good buddy Ridley. Cooper really blossomed this season, wanting to play the entire game and having a bit of a hard time when he had to take his turn sitting out. Unfortunately he missed the last game of the season as he broke his arm at school.

Spring 2011

Cooper was SO excited to start soccer up again! Brothers were playing basketball, so there were quite a few conflicts with game schedules, but Ridley's family said they could take Cooper as needed. It was a soggy, soggy spring, with lots of rain and snow and game cancelations ... but that didn't impact us that much because Cooper fell during the second game and broke his arm (again!) It was a bad break, the supervisors at the field even called an ambulance! I was glad I had been able to go to the first game and get some video to remember the season ...

Fall 2011 ... this was a tough season. Not only was Cooper afraid of breaking his arm again, but he had also developed a weather phobia over the summer. Getting him to any of the games was a struggle ... I got just a bit of video of the season.