It seems we’ve come to the end of Bear’s first season on her school’s basketball team.  We’ve had what you might call a steep-ish learning curve – is there some sort of rule against full disclosure for newbie parents? – but overall it’s gone well.  Bear’s team may not have won the end-of-season basketball tournament but they did take home the sportsmanship award, which I think is just as important so I’m sending a WHOOP WHOOP out to them.

As for me?  Not like it’s a huge surprise, but I’ve accepted I am That Parent.

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I’m the one screaming my head off, cheering on every child on the court because Hell yeah, you just made that play, you are a ROCK STAR.

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I’m also the one screaming my head off because it’s a two point game and we can totally do this!

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I’ll call those girls out in a heartbeat for crappy D, zero hustle, or missing rebounds.  Come on, ladies, this is basketball.  Jump.

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Yes, I clap when the other team’s players are introduced because I’m competitive, not callous.  Show a little class, people.

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I comment on crap-slinging cheerleaders.  Loudly.  Because I don’t need kumbaya – actually, I really really don’t want it at this level of play – but I believe in maintaining a certain level of civility at sporting events.  Healthy competition, yes…hearty school spirit, absolutely.  But civility.  Which means cheers like these during the other team’s foul shots annoy the shit out of me:

“We. Want. You. To.  MISS IT!  MISS IT!  MISS IT!  We. Want. You. To.  MISS IT!  MISS IT!  MISS IT!”

“She’s scared, she’s shaking, she knows she ain’t gonna make it!  She’s scared, she’s shaking, she knows she ain’t gonna make it!  Scared…shake…no…make!!  Scared…shake…no…make!!”

Ugh.

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This isn’t rec ball anymore.  You have to want it.  Lots of factors go into winning and losing in basketball, but sometimes it all boils down to who wants it most.  Lose a game because the other team fought harder?  Love you, mean it, but I’m not blowing sunshine up your butt about that.

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I’m deeply offended when our players take crap off yours.  Yes, I recognize this is my own competitive streak rearing its ugly head, sue me.  But for real…why the hell is she letting that girl push her around??  Dig in, ladies!