CHAMPS!

YES!

Our Cooper girls played in the Tall City Oilman Tournament this past weekend and I completely forgot to blog about it. HELLO! Can you tell it's Christmas?

I know many fans were disappointed that we were playing in Midland and not heading to Granbury, Abilene or back to the Dallas area for a tournament, but our school board has restricted BIG trips. They've cut us to 200 miles and you know 200 miles ain't far in Texas, baby.

They won EVERY game and yes, the competition wasn't near the level it would have been in Granbury, but our bench got plenty of play time and since I have a "bench girl" (my youngest), this Momma was happy.

Another reason I was TOTALLY happy was the lighting at Midland College. HELLO! A DREAM. I wish all gyms had this lighting. It was awesome to be able to shoot without high iso and even better that it was even and didn't cart many shadows. Thank you, Midland lighting designers. Can you come do our gym?

The shot below was taken from the "snack bar" levee. Pretty cool, huh? This game was against Seminole, which we play on Tuesday. That girl jumping? For Seminole? She's a good player. She hustled the entire game. It wasn't enough. But I can always appreciate a good hustle.

There are so many funny faces in basketball. It's emotional and crazy and INTENSE and the human face just goes along for the ride. LOVE IT!

Everyone played so well this weekend and traveling as a team always bonds a group of girls. Or the opposite. I'd like to report that these girls were happy. They had a fun time together. Of course, when you are winning, you are ALWAYS happy.

Going to tournaments also BONDS the parents together. We went out to eat with Johnny and Charlsie at the Wall Street Bar and Grill in honor of our tummies being hungry and their anniversary. Awwww...

I made everyone stop on the way past the downtown park when I saw this tree. I sat my camera on the wall and self timed myself into the shot. Had to jump that chain at the bottom of the shot you see. I swear no reindeer displays were harmed in the making of this photo DESPITE what you may have heard about Midland.

SWEAR.

The next day, we played in the finals for the championship against Midland High. Every game I try to get pictures of the girl' running out as they announce their names over the loud speaker. That must feel pretty darn cool.

Brittney had an AWESOME weekend! She received MVP of the Tournament. Of course she did! Girl can play some ball!

This is why I LOVE shooting court side. I'm like a Laker Fan. You can be and feel like you are a part of the game. I have no idea what was cracking them up, maybe #5 she loved to dribble under her legs and was so short she had to kick to do so. Not sure. But they are happy, playing ball, and that's what you LOVE as a mom.

Here's a series with #5. She was a hustler too. Very quick, good ball handler, but just height disadvantaged. Which this family KNOWS all about. HELLO! Kalyn just cleared 5 foot 4 this past summer. We were very proud. But #5? Maybe 5 foot if that. I think the program said 5'2.

Way to go Lady Pirates! We are so proud of you!!!!

And...guess who made the All Tournament Team? Oh, yeah!