Photo Credit: © Can Stock Photo / ryzhov
Maddy, a seventh grader, is one of five players on her co-ed recreational basketball team. She is a slight, wiry girl with shoulder-length brown hair, a quiet manner, and an engaging smile. But the boys and girls on the opposing team know looks can be deceiving. Maddy is not afraid to go after rebounds, block passes, or steal the ball.
Her best game of the season came during a Thursday night make-up game. Maddy appeared energized on the gym floor, playing great defense. She was fouled early in the game and sank both shots. She apparently got a taste for scoring and scored six more points before game’s end—her first multi-basket game of the season. Her point total made her the top scorer on her team and, equally as impressive, matched the top scorers on the opposing team—two boys who also play on the middle-school basketball team.
After the game I called Maddy to the scorer’s table so she could see her points in the scorebook, to show her the comparison to the other players, and to congratulate her on a game well played.