It’s that time of year again.

Basketball.

Here we go again! It’s the first week of practice and, I have to say, I’m kind of excited about it.

I love the echo of the bouncing balls at practice. I love seeing my guys play and improve.

But today, what is most exciting is looking at this group of boys and seeing that Reed is the tallest kid.

His odds were iffy. My dad is not tall. I’m average. But Andrew and his dad are 6′ and 6’2″ respectively. And my grandfather was also over 6′.

There are good basketball players who aren’t tall, but it doesn’t hurt.

As I sit here and watch, I see these boys – at their first practice, with new kids – working their butts off. They are sweaty and their faces are red.

I can only imagine the smell that will linger as we drive home after they finish playing.

But it’s worth it.