Basketball?

[Beach Runner]

Thanks. My daughter will take anyone on in basketball! She's fearless.

Mine (6' 2") was on the varsity women's team at MIT (a walk-on, just there for her academic abilities) until she suffered a major back injury at practice that forced her to resign from the team. It broke her heart. On top of that, her grandmother's unexpected death, and her father's major heart surgeries, she has never been quite the same. She plays a little sorority basketball, but that scares the heck out of me because an injury could mean paralysis.

 

[Paula]

BR: That's really too bad about your daughter's back and her grandmother's death. The risk of injury is my worry of course because my daughter plays both basketball and soccer (as well as volleyball, softball, and runs track). My daughter is only 5'4" or so, and is not likely to grow much taller, so basketball may not be her future career, though she does want a career in sports and a sports scholarship someday. For now, it's good to see her have so much fun and to be in such good shape and to learn such self-discipline. Sports for girls wasn't around at school when I was growing up and I can sure see the difference in the girls' opportunities, health, confidence, etc.

 

[Beach Runner]

My daughter is only 5'4" or so, and is not likely to grow much taller, so basketball may not be her future career, though she does want a career in sports and a sports scholarship someday. For now, it's good to see her have so much fun and to be in such good shape and to learn such self-discipline. Sports for girls wasn't around at school when I was growing up and I can sure see the difference in the girls' opportunities, health, confidence, etc.

Paula, the "funnest" thing I've ever done is go to my daughter's games. We never missed a game, even when it meant driving six hours round-trip to a game. We even went to all of her practices until she started getting embarrased about it. I miss watching her play. Hope your daughter gets to continue her athletics in college if she so desires. BTW I know a girl about your daughter's height who recently got a basketball scholarship to Belmont Abbey.

Yes, these opportunities weren't available when I was in high school. Also, there was a stigma against girls who played sports - they were called "tom boys." Thankfully, times have changed.

 

[Santiago]

It would be great to know where all the basketball courts are. I heard there is one at Seaside, though I don't know exactly where it is. I'd like to get my 14 year old to a court to play because she's very athletic and has been playing basketball for quite a while for her school (undefeated city 8th grade champions this year!) and for the town. She'd love to find places to play more sports in SoWal.

Paula,
There is one on Bridgetown Ave in Rosemary Beach. Maybe a little closer to your house than Seaside.

 

[Paula]

BR: We really enjoy watching our girls' play sports. We've developed great friendships with the other parents, too. I think she'll have a career in sports, one way or another. She is lucky to have so many girlfriends who do sports as well. When she was in elementary school, she and her friends "integrated" the basketball court and soccer games by joining in with the boys and not getting intimidated. They earned respect and became team-mates of choice very quickly!

And Sandiego, thank you for the Rosemary Beach information as well. It's good to know. It will probably be too hot to play this summer when we are there, but we also go there off season when the weather is cooler. On the other hand, she may enjoy it enough to play in the heat as well.