During day three of girls basketball camp yesterday, eight-old Stephanie sidled up to me. “Coach K, what do you think my best move is?” she asked, very seriously.
Thinking fast, I said, “Probably the triple-threat position. I’m really impressed with that part of your game.”
She nodded in agreement as she jumped immediately into her game face and stance. It would have made a great photo. “Yes,” she said. “And don't forget about my boxing out.”
“No, I didn’t forget that,” I assured her. “Do you practice in your driveway when you go home after camp?”
“Yes,” said Steph. “But I can only go outside if [older sister] Christina or my dad is with me.”
“Here’s a way for you to get some extra reps in,” I said. “Tonight, when your dad heads for the fridge, try to box him out.”
“That’s a good idea,” she said. “I’m gonna do that.”
Fast forward to this morning.
“Coach, I did what you told me last night,” Steph said.
“And?”
“After dinner my dad was opening the fridge for a piece of cheesecake when I got low on him and tried to back him away. He said, ‘What are you doing?’ I’m boxing you out. Coach K told me to do it.”
“Well, tell your coach it didn’t work,” said dad.
