46-2

As we talked over breakfast late Saturday morning I shared with Erica my concern about the possibility that my YMCA basketball team might not win many games this season. I missed our first contest, a 16-8 loss that took place while we were in Colorado, so all I had to go on was the scrimmaging I saw in practice, which wasn't very promising. Would a .500 record be too much to ask?

My two primary objectives for the team are to have fun and to learn some basketball fundamentals. However, I feared the kids would become discouraged by losing and that somehow I might not be teaching them what they need to know. I suppose these are the anxieties of a rookie coach. (I don't count my 14-and-under coaching experience as part of this equation. Second- and third-graders are a completely different ballgame).

As it turns out, my concerns were very much unfounded. My kids suddenly morphed into the 1990 UNLV Running Rebels on Saturday, winning by a score of 46-2. One boy alone scored 24 points, i.e. 12 times as many points as the other team.

Suddenly I had a fresh set of concerns: What's the proper etiquette in a YMCA League blowout? Should I stop pumping my fists, giving the other team the choke sign, and yelling "Get 'em a body bag" a la Karate Kid? (All kidding, of course.)

We tried unsuccessfully to get the scoreboard operator to clear it to zeros once we went up by 20 points. (League rules for this age group dictate as much, not that anyone's actually following the league rules.)

I talked in team huddles about good sportsmanship and being nice when you're winning, which one of my players translated into non-coach speak: "We should take it easy on them because they're not as good."

Finally, at the wise suggestion of the parent who coaches with me, we instituted a "three passes" rule whereby the kids couldn't shoot on offense until they had made at least three passes. It sorta worked.

For all my concern about the other team, I will admit to being thrilled that my kids had such a good time. Also, the mismatched competition allowed some players to score who typically wouldn't have the opportunity to do so. Watching them raise their arms triumphantly and glance to the sidelines to make sure their parents were watching was great fun.

So we're 1-1 on the season, and I'll admit that I have no idea what to expect next.