Basketball

10/8: Okay, I know, there is a real need to get on with the writing process here! I have brainstormed my topic (basketball) and I have done a timed free-write for 20 minutes.

I am missing a lot.

Can you help me with this piece of work--specifically with the writing trait of organization? Look at the rubric for our informational text so to remind you of what we are looking for in our writing.



Brainstorming:

Basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891.
5 players on the court at one time.
Fun. Competitive. Exciting.
Offense, defense.
Mascots are funny.
Cheerleaders are silly.
4 quarters, 2 halves, halftime.
Coach, assistant coach.
Pro teams
College teams
School team: JIS Dragons

Basketball is a sport that has been around a long time. Long enough that way back in the "good ol' days, girls weren't even allowed to play. When they were finally given permission, they played on one half only and wore the strangest uniforms! Girls basketball is still different from boy's basketball but only in one small way. The size of the basketball is the only difference.

There are professional basketball leagues in almost every country in the world. Something new, only created less than ten years ago, is the women's professional league. I have to admit that I have never seen a game live and, when there is a game on TV, I'll watch for only a few minutes. Growing up watching men's basketball. . .

Growing up, I remember watching the LA Lakers with my dad. I loved watching the players these years: Kareem Abdul Jabar, Magic Johnson, Bill Lambeer, etc. They were great. Then came along Michael Jordan and professional basketball hasn't been the same since.

When I moved to Oregon from California, my 10th grade year of high school, I started playing basketball because there wasn't a lot to do. It's funny that I hadn't played before since my dad was always a basketball coach. I remember my first game. I hoped that my team mates wouldn't pass me the ball. There were so many rules to remember and they all went out of my head when it was game time. I'll just put it this way: I didn't play a lot those first weeks of games and when I did play, the ref's whistle called out lots of traveling calls of me.

I put in hours and hours of practice to get better. I went into school a few hours before it started several times a week. Every weekend was spent practicing my shots. Over and over and over until I had the technique to actually get the ball near the goal. I bent the basketball rim on the hoop in our barn. I improved enough to be selected for a team that traveled to Eastern Europe and played all summer long. I was the only high school student amongst the college players. All summer long I played basketball, practiced and steadily got better and better and made varsity the next year.

I also played in college.

I still play today. I also coach basketball. I have coached a variety of teams from grade 8 boys to varsity girls.