Preston's got game.

He spent his early years in Playa del Rey, California where on top of the parking garage there was a basketball court.  I took him up there on pretty much a daily basis to tire him out before nap time.  Just lifting the ball was a chore for him then.  Luckily, the basket was adjustable but still, even down as far as it could go, it was out of his range.  That didn't stop him from trying though.  Back in the condo we had a smaller basket and a nerf ball and he wore that thing out.  We'd watch the Lakers together and then he'd try out some new moves.

During a rough stretch for him, a time when he suffered from seizures, we made the rounds of hospitals and doctors.  During one such visit we were headed down a hallway and along came Robert Horry, one of the Laker greats at the time.  I whispered to Preston as I held him in my arms and as Horry approached Preston came out with "Hey, Laker guy."  It stopped Horry in his tracks.

I helped coach many a "Laker" team in LA along with another Dad in our complex and Preston was always in the middle of things, playing the game.  His thing was never scoring so much as making things work.  Early on, he left me far behind.  I'd been a gymnast and a baseball player and while I love the game of basketball please, don't send me in there coach.

Fast forward and now Preston, a sophomore, is finishing up his first season on the Floyd County Buffaloes varsity team.  He is in the top ten in two categories - 3-point percentage and assists - in what is designated as the Timesland District by our local paper, The Roanoke Times.  The team won their first round in district playoffs last night with Preston scoring ten.  Tonight they have a tougher match-up against a team they beat once and lost to once in regular season play.  So, keep your fingers crossed.

I love you, Preston.  (So does your Mom and so does your brother, Cooper.)  I admire your abilities both on and off the court.  You're already a better athlete than I ever was but, having been there on the college level, I can still teach you a few things about the "head games" of sports, about being prepared.  I can't teach you a thing about basketball.  Keep your studies up.  Straight A's is something I never accomplished but you seem to do it with ease, like launching that 3-pointer.  Keep pushing yourself.  You've come so far.  There are no limits. 

Go for it.