The Lewis Classic

   As many of my faithful blog readers know I am majoring in Recreation Therapy. I've been a little worried about my lack of recreating with a major like this. I mean I'm pretty willing to do most sportsy things (except running, this pastime has never made sense to me -- although I totally support all of those many avid runners in their pursuits), but truth to tell my FAVORITE things to do involve sitting: 1.) reading, 2.) watching movies 3.) sleeping. So this break I was determined to do something recreational. Which is how the Lewis Classic came to be. After MANY scheduling conflicts I finally got my entire family (minus Dawn and Bryan who were stuck in Utah) to be part of the game! So here's how it went down:

    

     It was a cold blustery winter's night outside the LDS Church on Seventh, but inside the gym was hot hot hot. The players from both teams started with a much-needed warm-up, which was good because some players claimed to have not played "in over six years," while others suggest that they "had never played basketball." The girls team, and the older males did some stretching since Toni Kelley helpfully shared the snapping your Achilles Tendon was the most common basketball injury in people over fifty. And then the real action started.

     
    Male team veteran Scott Lewis was on fire all night. He pulled out his high school basketball shoes for the occasion and it was clear that he pulled some of his old moves too. He was pulling balls out of the air and graciously passing the ball to his teammates so that not all the points would be his. His highlight perhaps would be his jump shot, lay-up, rebound, assist, defense, coaching others abilities, and his uncanny resemblance of Jimmer Fredette.

     Sage Kelley also performed well. He, who doubted the game would ever take place, was up for the challenge. His unending energy was amazing and he was always running up and down the court. Aside from his baby-sitting skills he also perfected the outside shot, scoring many a time when over the flailing arms of his defender.

     Ty Lewis was also pretty outstanding. The first half he was ON FIRE. Having just returned from a mission in El Salvador where soccer is the common sport his basketball skill has actually pretty surprising. He was pretty fast and was able to be in the thick of things many times. He also had a pretty great outside shot and his defense wasn't too bad either.

   Todd Lewis has never been much of a baller, but you wouldn't have been able to tell last night. He was shooting lay-ups and playing defense like nobodies business, but at the end of the 1st half his outside shot was HOT. You could tell this because he frequently yelled "I'm hot! I'm hot!" when looking for the ball. 

    Female team veteran Melinda "Nancy" Lewis was also pulling out moves only seen in her glory days. She was shooting lay-ups, and playing some pretty bomb defense on her husband. She was also really good at breathing deeply (she was joined by most all the players on the female team.) Her enthusiasm, team spirit, and point guard abilities were really a sight to behold.

    Toni Kelley who was wearing a jersey from her work team showed that those weeks of practice at APEX really paid off. She had a sweet spot from the outside but this didn't stop her from driving tot he basket either. Her defense was amazing and she had a great cheerleader in Miss Aubrey Kelley who would often enter the court to be with her mom.

   

The winners celebrate the game winning point.

     In the end the game came down to one point. Mostly because everyone was very tired and someone called out next point wins. The ball went back and forth from team to team with a notable glory attempt by Todd Lewis, but in the end the winners of the LEWIS CLASSIC were Team Melinda, Kelli, and Scott. You can tell that their victory meant a lot to them, while the losers had to pack their bags and go on home.

   It was a lot of fun for everyone and I hope that we can do it again next year! 


BONUS PICTURE: AUBREY