The long Rashi basketball season is finally coming to an end and before our concentration turns to the spring season, I want to share some of my memories for the season just passed. Our student-athletes, in grades 1-8, have represented Rashi on the basketball court in over 60 games. On any given day you could see any one (or two) of our teams piling into a bus and heading out to one of the many schools that played host to our teams. Rashi basketball went as far as Marblehead, Southborough, Dorchester, Concord, Lincoln, Wellesley, Weston and Norwood. We played in double-headers, in triple-headers, on Sundays, during snowstorms, early in the morning and late at night. We played in some really nice gyms, dark gyms, small gyms, old gyms and a lot of cold gyms. We won some and we lost some and while I could compile all of our records to see if we came out on top, that is not the most important thing. Every player, parent and coach will probably remember something other than the game results as their favorite aspect of Rashi basketball. Here are some of mine.

I like watching the kids get better. I like that at the beginning of the season any mention of weak-side help defense is met with looks of bewilderment, but by the end of the season not only do they understand the concept, but also can readily point out that we aren't doing it in the game. I like watching a kid's reaction after they score a basket. Some act as if it is no big deal (but you can tell that it is), some pump their fist or do a little jump, some look completely surprised but almost every player will play more inspired defense during the next possession. I like the bus rides (most of the time) and the time it allows to build team camaraderie and our coaches to get to know the kids a little better. I like seeing the families on the sidelines cheering for all the players and the baked-goods that appear at the end of games (probably too much).  I like to see the friendships that develop and blossom because of basketball. I like that you never know what to expect during any given day, like the day an eighth grade boy committed 11 fouls in one game (long story) or the game when one of our middle school girls had an opposing school's high school varsity team literally jumping out of their seats with her level of play. I like close games like the overtime victory our 4/5 boys had this past week because it makes everyone concentrate and play his/her hardest on every possession. I like that at least once each season, someone will shoot on the wrong basket during a game. I like the joy of winning, the frustration of losing and the lessons learned from both. I like that most of my winter days are filled with Rashi basketball. 

This past season was so made so memorable because of the dedication, care and sacrifice of our wonderful coaching staff.  Special thanks to Katherine Brenna, Nathaniel Cutter, Dave Rosenberg, Gregg Ellenberg, Jason Boltrus, Renee Gaudette and Venus Corriveau.