:(

It is amazing to me how much we love our children and how much we want to protect them from sadness and disappointment.  The State tournament was a dream of these 5 senior boys since they were in 3rd grade.  I think they have talked about winning the State championship when they were seniors ever since they were on their first basketball team together.  In the first game Derek got hurt.  We thought he sprained his ankle.  He got it taped quickly and got back in the game.  You could tell he was hurt but he pushed through it and still scored 14 points and helped his team move on to the semi finals.  But later that night things did not look so good.   He ended up with a broken ankle and some torn ligaments.  How that boy played the rest of that game is a miracle.  The Seniors were crushed! I have never been so heart broken then when I had to watch these boys come and comfort their buddy.  It was truly devasting to have worked this hard for so long to have this happen just when your dream was in sight.  Derek was a great sport and showed incredible character this weekend.  Trying to inspire his team and let them know they could win without him.  It was not to be.  Without him it was not the same.  They lost the next two games by 8 points or less.  They say ones best success comes after their greatest disappointment, I hope that is true!  It is hard to see your children's dreams crushed after they work so hard for something.  I know he has a plan for Derek and his buddies and this is part of it.  I think sometimes things happen in life and the lord is saying "Are you still with me?"  Watching my son handle this extremely disappointing experience has made me realize he is not a boy anymore.  What a great season he had!

some action shots of the game - this is l where he stole the ball and went in for a shot and got hammered  and broke his ankle

him shooting after his injury

watching him walk in for the next game on crutches :(

watching the last game

Great fans!  We are missing my sister Jill's family they came to support Derek too!  

Best Friends