A Wonderful End to a SEASON (basketball that is)

THE BEST BASKETBALL TEAM I KNOW!!! Back: Megan, Meghan, Coach Martin, Jessica, Nicole, Mikayla

Front: Heather, Kayla, Erin, Amanda, Allison, Betsey and Olivia

Basketball season is such a great time in our family - even though it takes up a lot of time, we love watching Jessica play. She has made so many wonderful friends being on the NOHS Lady Mustang team.

Her teams Basketball Banquet was on Wednesday, March 25. All the girls were dressed up so nice. It was wonderful. The coaches had praises and jokes to share about each player on the team.

On each table there were the overall individual statistics for the VARSITY season. Wow! We had some great stuff happening on this team even though their record may not show it. Nicole had 350 points in one season, Jessica had the highest average rebounds per season (148), and then she was also third in blocks, third in defections, & third in hustle plays. I was amazed.

Then we sat down for our delicious dinner. Jessica sat with the girls while I sat with a seniors mom and dad. Awards and recognition came after dinner.

Junior Varsity - Jessica and Jessica A were recognized at the same time as the dynamic Jessica's. Coach Pfaff sang praises to each girl. It was very nice. Although the statistics were not on the table for JV he said Jessica was remarkable in her defensive game - she was a strong power on the team.

Varsity - Coach Martin complimented Jessica so much. She said stuff like "this is her first year on Varsity and we really didn't know what to expect with her, but then we were down in the game against Brian Station by 18-2, we needed to make a change. Jessica Lowe went into the game and there is this one play that stands out. She got the rebound in some miraculous way - the way J Lowe does, and then - as we had practiced - looked to the center for a pass, but she was covered, and then - as we had practiced - looked to the side for a pass, but she was covered, so J Lowe just took the ball down court and ... J Lowe was dribbling the ball in a Varsity game against one of the toughest teams we were going to play all season and kept the play alive. That changed the momentum of the game and changed the scoring for the remaining three quarters. She shined! She complimented Jessica by saying "there was not one day that Jessica Lowe didn't show up to practice or a game ready to give her all, give everything she had. She was the first in just about every sprint and she played hard every minute. It payed off - she's been a huge asset to our team and we look forward to her potential for next year. She even joked that she had all these records highest average rebounds, third in blocks, third in deflections, and first in injuries - 2 broken fingers, 2 chipped teeth, and knee problems in both knees.

Later that night Jessica was awarded as a player on the "All Star Defensive Team"! That's our girl. But the biggest surprise was when Jessica was awarded the Most Improved Player Award. It was one of those moments as a mom that you are in awe of your daughter. Her team respected her, her coaches respected her and everyone agreed that she had improved so much - from last year to this year, and from the beginning of the season to the end. She went from 6 minutes in a Varsity game to STARTING and playing 26 minutes in a Varsity game.

I wish this didn't sound like I was bragging - I wish I had a mom to call and brag all this to her - then I wouldn't sound so crazy on my blog, but I was AM so proud of her. She took something she didn't really enjoy at the end of last year and didn't give up or quit, and found that she really loved it, the girls, the sport and the success! She is my champion in every sense. She learned not only basketball (and succeeded at it), but she made wonderful friends, earned the respect of her coaches and the spectators.

Next year you all will have to come see her play - but don't tell her - she'll get nervous!