Columbia College Basketball Academy

For the past two weeks I returned home to Columbia, Missouri to work my dad's basketball camps at Columbia College where this whole show began. I was in the sixth grade when my dad challenged me to spin a basketball on my finger and I've been building on that ever since. These camps are where I began showing off my skills in front of groups. It started with just a dribbling exhibition and now I'm spinning four basketballs at once and doing it to music! As was the case in Phoenix, my favorite part is watching the college players practice a trick when they think no one is watching.

These two weeks I used the 10-foot pole and challenged the kids to never say, "I can't." That phrase comes up too often at camps when a coach trys to teach them something new. I was teaching a kid to spin it one day and the last thing I told him was to do it a thousand times, and when he thought he mastered it, do it a thousand more. It's a good rule to live by.

Click here for a video of the show produced by the Jefferson City, MO news crew.

NAIA Division I Final Four

My dad's basketball team made it to the NAIA Division I Final Four in Kansas City and I was fortunate enough to join him for the last three games of the tournament. Each year the NAIA puts on a short clinic for Special Olympians on Sunday involving the final four teams. Every year of the tournament the teams in the 32-team field take part in some Champion of Character event. My dad likes to use me and my skills to spare some of his players and entertain the group. At first I don't care for the attention and never feel like it's appropriate for me to be involved, but my dad always pumps up my show and skills and builds the anticipation with participants to the point that it's a disappointment if I don't perform. However, after each show I am always glad I did it. I guess you could say he's my marketing agent which is a good thing. Proverbs tells us not to toot our own horn so you need someone to do it for you.

Anyway, my dad was at it again at the Special Olympics event. I was especially defiant to perform this time because I had not practiced my skills since I left Phoenix in August. Needless to say, I was very rusty. By the time I heard about his antics it was too late. The stage was already set. So I spent the rest of the day practicing enough to be able to perform the basics.

As usual I performed adequately enough to entertain the crowd and had a blast doing it. There were four teams of talented players who were impressed as well, which is always satisfying for me. This show reminded me how much I enjoy performing and the satisfaction I gain from it. I'll have to continue practicing and honing my skills for future impromptu shows.