2009 Ontario Basketball Provincials

Chatham, Ontario. U10 boys. It was hectic!! There were teams from all across Ontario competing for their provincial places among their divisions. Divisions 1,2 and 3. With boys all over the place, teams shouting every which way and constant games being played, it was so much to take in but yet so, so much fun! Let's start from the begginning of my story...

4 years ago, i joined Troyka. A serbian basketball club. With the past results, my parents signed me up. I was to shoot my first basket, learn my first lay-up, and be happy playing sports for the first time. My dad dedicated lots of time ot teach my brothers, and my team. Eventually, all the hard work and practise payed off. I improved tons. House League was fun. Being 2nd; 3rd and just last year: 1st in the House League.

And finally,all our hard work payed off. Although there was no female team for my age group, there was a male team for my brother's age group. And, he was lucky to be amongst the 12 boys who made it. I was so happy. My brother had some games, some more, and more. Audience was surprised. This was the first year that this Troyka team had joined the Basketball Association. And after good games and bad, our first tournament was held. Not a major one, but a pretty cool one. They finished 4th overall from 12. That was superb for a first!!

And, countless games and practises were held before the major tournament we just held in April. In Chatham, Ontario there was the Ontario U10 (age-under 10) Basketball Tournament. Everybody has worked really hard to be amongst the 12 teams who participated. And so has Troyka. So after hours of driving to the hotel all the teams were to stay at, we were all ready to be settled in. But then we saw the ginormous line of guests. Great! This might take some time, we thought. But eventually, we made it. We settled into room 914.

But that was the boring part. We explored a little. Then came the games. First game; that very night. Against the Missisauga Minors. This team was well-organized, and well prepared. But no match for B.C. Troyka. We beat them by approzimately 15-20 points. At least we were not to lose all the games! Next, we had a morning game against the Burlington Skyhawks. This team had good defense and speed, but lacked focus every now and then. We beat them as well. This was going great... They had already made it to the quarterfinals!

I have to take some credit, our audience was phenomenal! We had clappers, maracas, blow-up banging things, tamborines, and LOUD whistlers. We were screaming, cheering our team to perfection. And now, the next game was against the BJCC Eagles. Last time, we had lost by a basket, because we were tired. But we were ready for this one. Sadly, we lost by half a basket, (In the quarterfinals...)1 point. Either way, we were all still very proud. We were still 1st in our division! Now we were to go against an easier opponent from another pool. So we danced and clapped and had the time of our lives that night. We were headed to the semi-finals.

Next morning, semi-finals. Against KW Vipers. In the last tournament I mentioned, they have gotten third place... They better be ready for revenge. Although our hopes were down a little, they got lifted as the game began. And, through anxiety, losing voices, and hope... WE WON!! We had made it to the finals. A game far beyond our expectations. With this win, the team had created a new layer of confidence. We were all tremendously proud as well.

And for the final, we played against the Toronto Triple Threat. We had beat them once, and they had beat us once. This was going to be a close game. But no matter how close the game was, or how hard we all played, we had lost. By one basket. But still had third place to win! Hold your horses, not before ambulance has cleared. From an early virus, and all this anxiety, I had fainted. Everybody was pouring water on my face, and concidentally, a First Aid lady was there to help me. They had called 9-1-1. After some time in the hospital, everybody was worried. But, I came out fine. I just didn't attend the last game. NO way was I to faint again.

So I stayed at home, ate, watched TV and hoped for the best. Fast forward, some of the players came back and knocked on room 914. They had to make sure I was O.K. Well, I was. And I told them the whole story. And then they told me theirs. They were all freaked out. And... The anticipating news... THEY HAD WON!!!!! I was super proud and glad. We were to all meet at Kelsey's later that night to celebrate.

We may not have won firts place, but we had won third. Beautiful medals, they were. We have created new friendships, learned new techniques, experienced the unexpected. All from an audience member fainting, to making it to third. Our highest expectations were the quarter finals. And as always, the team had impressed us. We have more trust in each other, and are ALL closer than ever. We are now walking around with our heads held high, and smiles on our faces. We shall continue to practice, and try our hardest. For we are ready for the next season. Of happiness, unexpectations, medals, and definetely friends. To basketball! To TROYKA!!

P.S. In the video enclosed, you will see some of the games, we are the players in the blue and white jerseys.