Hello! Here it is, the end of the third quarter of Luke's 8th grade year, and I haven't written in awhile. The passage and substance of time really do seem to change as life goes by.
I am grateful to Cathy Happ, for snapping the above photo. It is the last shot (and point) of Luke's basketball career at St. Mark's on January 30. Also the last shot of the 8th grade season, as the valiant Marksmen were defeated in this game by Limestone Walters, the eventual state champs in the IESA 8-1A division.
Luke was banged up in the prior game, on a hard landing, and so only got into this game during the last few seconds. Hard to believe it was his fifth year of wearing the blue and gold.
St. Mark's has a great basketball tradition. When I was cheering the Marksmen more than 40 years ago and John was playing 50 years ago (can it really be 4-5 decades since we suited up?), the Diocesan tournament was our Superbowl. Now, the Peoria Diocese schools participate in the IESA and usually play similar-sized schools, both public and parochial. St. Mark's, though, fields competitive teams, and we play in the larger school tournaments throughout the year as well.
John Stephens coached Luke and his teammates for the past five years. We are so grateful to him for all the time, effort, and teaching he has invested in the boys.
Here is the email Coach Stephens sent to the parents the last week of the season. Thank you, Coach Stephens!
We are having practice on Friday from 5 to about 630. I am getting the boys pizza at the end of practice. I told the boys but please remind them.
We play Saturday at 11:30 at Limestone Walters(Regionals). Our opponent is Holy Family.
I just wanted to say thank you for allowing me to coach your boys over the last 4 to 5 years. It has been a pleasure.
Over the years I can not tell you how many coaches and parents from opposing teams would come up to me and compliment on how hard they played and how much fun they were to watch as well as there sportsmanship.
They were very successful in the Catholic tournaments.
5th grade they took 1st place consolation
6th grade they took 1st place for for small schools and 2nd place in the large school tourneys.
7th grade they took 1st place in small school tourney.
8th grade they took 1st place consolation in big school tourney.
Not bad for a bunch of kids who were always undersized by height but never by heart, determination or effort.
