THE REED DYER BASKETBALL GIVE-AWAY FREE-THROW INVITATIONAL

12/17/09 Basketball, given away

Now, this is cool downsizing.

Today I hosted...

THE REED DYER BASKETBALL GIVE-AWAY FREE-THROW INVITATIONAL.

Most teachers hate foul weather that leads to indoor recess, but I've been eagerly anticipating it for two weeks. This morning we had some typically crisp Maine December temperatures -- hovering around three degrees -- which necessitated keeping the kids indoors. Guess some youngsters are rather wimpy these days.

But not all of them. Especially not fourth grader Rashawn.

I lined up all comers to compete in my little competition. The rules: first kid to sink two free-throws in a row wins a basketball. There had been a bit of debate among my colleagues who knew my plans for the b-ball give-away. Some thought that there might not be any students who could hit two in a row, and most agree it could take the whole recess period.

Well, Rashawn schooled them. He was about sixth in line, and none of the students ahead of him -- including a few of the sixth grade jocks (well, as close to jocks as we get in sixth grade) -- hit a single shot.

Then, Rashawn stepped up and coolly buried them both. Give that boy a Red Claws contract!

Oh, and give him a basketball. Score!

Editor's Note, 8/2/10: Close observers will note that in the picture, the ball is dated 12/7/10, not 12/17/10. Please be assured that I was not trying to cheat on this downsize, I just rushed when dating the ball. Rashawn later came back to me to point out the error, which I corrected on his prize. Who says kids aren't observant these days?