Victorious

Game day - it was the game to win,  to be declared the "champs",  to be victorious.   The gym would be packed, every seat taken.  We had reserved seats but there were no tickets at will call.  Our seats were 4th row, "look for the tie-dye t-shirt, black shorts and blue penny spread out over 6 chairs."  It was a plan.  We arrived and found our familiar seats and familiar faces around us, some cheering for our team, some cheering against them.

The opposing team brought 2 bus loads of students and local fans.  The students were geared up and ready to cheer.  They were dressed in team colors, fun costumes and other attire that brought grins and wonderment.  The "boos" were the most surprising.  When our team exited the locker room and positioned themselves for their pre-game huddle they were met with loud boos as they came through the door.  The parents stood and cheered and tried to overcome the low dissenting tone.  Two students left the stands and came within arms reach of several players.  They were pointing and mocking them.   I assumed they were caught up in the fanfare and didn't realize they were too close.  An adult quickly ushered them back to their seats.

The game was to be exciting and physically challenging by two teams that have met many times before.  Each one taking turns as the victor from seasons past.  But this season was different.  Our team had  overcome previous defeats and won both in-season games.  A third win would secure the conference title.

photo credit to Mr. Godfrey

The National Anthem was sung, starting line-ups announced and the tip-off whistle blown.  It was a great match up between two strong teams.  Our team lead the scoring throughout the game until the last few minutes with cheers, whistles and fouls, shots made and missed.  In the end, the opponent tied us and went ahead and we couldn't recover.  They won by 3 points.  Their fans left the stands and joined the winners on the court.  While I could say "congratulations" and "good game" to those around me,  I couldn't stay long to watch the festivities.  It would be difficult to watch their chosen player climb the ladder and cut the net on our court.  Our team had been number one in the conference all year and fell to second place in a matter of  minutes.

We gathered for what had been planned as a celebratory meal.  There were tears, hugs, and hope for Monday.  Hope for the at-large bid that could be granted to a nationally ranked team that just didn't finish that final game the way they had wanted.  That bid came today.  It came with a host position, home court advantage.  Come Friday,  we'll fill our seats again and cheer once more for a group of girls that will give their all.

In the end, whether these girls win or lose, they will be victorious.  They are courageous, faithful, disciplined young women who love Jesus and share His love in their daily lives.  They support each other through teamwork, friendship, prayer and love.  I've never been so impressed with a group of young ladies.  The older ones take leadership and bring the younger ones along.   The middles span the gap and become the glue that bonds them as close sisters in Christ.  They eat, play, practice, serve, travel, sing, laugh and cry together.  They know things about each other that no one will ever know.

Photo credit to Mr. Godfrey

I am so thrilled and thankful for my daughter  to have a place on this team, with these fabulous young ladies in this time of her life.  I pray she will always remember and cherish the time spent with her Messiah women's basketball team.  I see foundational elements being built for a strong future.    Though she has one final year yet to come, this current season is coming to a close.  I think they have a few more wins under their belts.  After it's all done,  I wish the senior players and their parents all the best.  It's been a joy to know you all.  You leave a legacy of truth and love.