After countless hours (more than seven years) of blood, sweat and tears, the Hot Shots finally have a state championship under our belts.
We weren't even sure we had a full team until the bus left for Wenatchee. With only three athletes, we were in a bit of a bind....... They had to play the entire game. That means no rests other than timeouts and no fouling out.
We met our nemesis, PCFA, in the first game. We have played them all but one year in the state championship and have never beaten them. We started off a bit slow and allowed them a one point lead five minutes into the game. I was able to redeem my three missed lay-ups (ARRRRRGH!!) with two consecutive three-pointers to take the lead seven and a half minutes into the game.
With three minutes left in the second half, we were up by seven and then the unthinkable happened..... Our big man, Chris Dullanty, fouled out. We had two options: forfeit or play with four people. We chose to play one man down and did pretty well. They made a bit of a run on us but we managed to take possession with three seconds left. They were forced to foul me and with a lead of only three points the pressure was on. I drained both free throws and we let them shoot a three-quarter court shot to end the game.
One down, two to go.
In our next game we faced off against the Spokane Valley Knights. We know this team well, have scrimmaged with them in the past and even played on their summer softball team. They were the team that beat us at regionals last year.
With their star player out, they were bumped into a lower bracket. Unfortunately there were no other teams for them to play so they were moved back into ours. It was a bit of a rout. We beat them 81-27 with everyone on the team scoring. Our athletes really poured on the effort for this one.
On championship Sunday, I was pretty nervous. It seems that no matter what we have done in the past, we just come up a bit short when it is all on the line.
Turns out I had nothing to worry about. Our athletes lit up the scoreboard. Josh and Kevin both had two three-pointers (we had seven in the game) and with Chris's rebounding, PCFA didn't have a chance. Our defense was ridiculously tenacious, only allowing 8 points in the second half. WOW!!
My hat is off to our coaches, athletes and partners. Everyone did more than their part and we were able to come away with the sweetest of victories.
A huge thank you goes out from all of the Hot Shots to my beautiful fiance for snapping the pictures for us.
Here is Chris doing his impression of a point guard.
Josh showing us his big D and heading in for a lay-up.
Our MVP, Kevin, setting up for a free throw and getting a steal.
Jerome showing a little pressure D and draining a three.
Keith goin' up on a shot.
Johnny B. bringing the ball down and takin' it to the hoop.
Jeff getting vertical and forcing a turnover.
My alter-ego pressin' on D and drivin' in.
The Hot Shots with coaches Jeff, Rome and Bill and the Seattle Seahawks Sea Gals.
And finally...... Our MVP Kevin Oberg with the ladies.
