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Food and Clothes drive continues
September 15, 2005 --
The Big Round Orange were successful on consecutive weekends in reaching our goals of helping some less fortunate. On the first weekend in September some of the ORANGE parents and players got together to serve 100 dinners to just some of the homeless on the streets of downtown Los Angeles. The meals included 2 pieces chicken rice with gravy, vegetable rolls cake and bottled water. Some parents were cooking all night prior to the event.God was our director to ensure all went well. Each time it seemed like we were not going to meet our goal he would send us help. Many of the kids and parents met at Dana's house.Dana's mom purchased the chicken the previous day. When were running short of rolls Alston's mom was there with more. When we ran out of yams and were concerned about transporting the food Stephens Mom appeared with corn and a van. When we ran short of other items Nick called for Coach Ron to pick him up and along with him came much needed salad ,muffins and snack treats his mom purchased for the less fortunate children. Anthony's mom had a nice set of flatware and accessories assembled and delivered to Dana's house, the base of the operation, when we didn't know where to turn. After going Downtown to the region known as skid row and distributing the meals we took the kids to a nearby park and allowed them to express themselves on the court playing the game they love so much. The whole operation was a great time for all involved and we thank them all from the center of our BIG ROUND ORANGE hearts.
The following weekend we all got together and gathered clothes for the victims of the tragedy in the gulf coast. We are grateful for and thankful to the Los Angeles Community Coalition for being there to deliver the clothes to the affected area. This will be an ongoing venture to help the people in need due to the storms destruction please help us help them.
Thank You.
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Fullerton a Ton of Fun
August 15, 2005 --
Fullerton was full of fun, and the Big Round Orange family was out in full force with five teams once again at the August Ballin Tournament, August 13&14. The kids responded to the early Saturday 8:00 am. meeting at Washington and drive to Fullerton Orange County with style and grace. The parents and kids met and loaded into their vehicles and arrived at Fullerton College safely. Upon arrival the Orange kids squeezed the tournament for all the fun it could.
The 14u Boys team took the court first and promply got the program off to a great start by getting a 15 point victory. As usual there were plenty of ups and downs throughout the weekend. There were wins and there were losses and lots of smiles and a few frowns. The teams were treated very well by the tournament hosts RYBC. Everyone was treated to lunch by the tournament staff which was a welcome surprise to all. The tournament director stated he invited us to his house so he wanted to treat everyone with some Southern hospitality by feeding them.
The results of the tournament were encouraging and showed ovarall improvement in the program. The girls team played hard against some good competition and learned some valuable lessons on and off the court about basketball and sportsmanship although they did not place in the top three. The boys 11u did not place, playing in only their second tournament, but also learned a great deal about the game. The boys 12u team placed as a top team in the consolation bracket after a tough loss but gave everyone a run for their money. The boys High School team, fresh from a championship in their last tournament, came from behind in all games to once again get to the championship game. The boys gave it a good fight but lost to a very good Marino Valley Team to secure second place. The boys 14u team came off a tough loss in their last tournament's championship game and this time captured the tournament championship winning every game by no less than 15 points.
Congratulations to all Big Round Orange players, coaches, and parents, for their efforts, acheivements, and lessons learned about basketball, sportsmanship and life. You are all appreciated, and loved. For all who did not get to see the action you were missed, hope to see you next time.
Remember, PRACTICE YOUR STUDIES AND STUDY Y0UR PRACTICES.... it keeps you well ROUNDED.
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Glad to be in Gladiator country
July 25, 2005 --
This was the tournament that the Gladiators made, the Orange teams rejoiced and were glad in it. The weather in Bakersfield was hot, but the weather outside did not compare to the heat generated on the courts inside the gym at California State University of Bakersfield. The teams left their dwellings of Los Angeles Friday evening for a long journey to the land of the sun and Gladiators in Bakersfield California. The Orange rolled up the long winding road to meet and battle some of the best teams in the land of the Gladiators.
Upon arrival the team checked in and went out to scout for food, which they found easily, and returned to their rooms. The coach had a meeting with the Boys High School team. During this meeting the front desk called the coach to tell of a complaint of noise they had gotten about one of the other rooms. The coach went to the other room where he found the players excitedly playing video games as is their usual custom on road trips. The players were told to keep the noise down. The High School team meeting resumed and another call came to the Orange Coach. The management stated that because of the over enthusiasm of the players the teams would have to find other lodging the next day. Some of the elder players on the High School team said they wanted to go down to the office to speak to Management "on behalf of the team". This made the Orange coach and everyone involved proud of the four young men who wanted to go to complete strangers and be spokesmen for the organization they represent. As a result the team was able to stay at the hotel and the Head Manager was heard saying the next day that he was very touched by the spoken words and the letter that the young men put together on behalf of the Big Round Orange program. He stated that he had to share it with the party which made the complaint and they agreed, The Big Round Orange kids were the type of people they were honored to have in their midst.
The games started the following day and with five teams representing the Orange program the action was not only hot and heavy but also non-stop. The Program was represented in five divisions :Boys 11U,Boys 12U, Boys 14U, Boys High School and Girls High School.There were Heat, Pacers, Gladiators, Spartans and Lions and Tigers and Bears oh my!!! The kids played from early Saturday morning to late that evening. No matter what time of day, you were sure to see a group of Big Round Orange players doing what they do;running, jumping, hooping and squeezing the juice out of every part of the game they love. In The evening there was time for all to relax and tell their stories of the days events, to reflect on what they did best and what they wanted to work on the next day. Everyone ate and had a great evening. Soon bed check time came and all quietly went to sleep.
Sunday came early and it was time to get back to the task of having a ball, and that they did. After an early 8am. game the teams shuttled back and forth to the hotel to pick up another team for a 10am. game then a noon game and a 2 pm. game and so on. Between all the action and transporting, the players somehow found time to cool off in the pool and get checked out of the hotel without leaving anything or anyone behind... we hope.
When all was said and done, everyone had a great experience, on and off the court, in the land of the sun and Gladiators. The Boys 11U team won the consolation championship, the boys 12U team advanced to the championship game and placed second, the boys 14U team advanced to a conroversial championship game and also came in second, the boys High School team won their championship and the girls High School team did not place but left with a great deal of experience and played some great competition. At Big Round Orange we send out Congratulations to all players and coaches for their great effort. Everyone is urged to remember that although everyone would like to win, winning and losing is not all that matters, but how much you learn on and off the court while winning or losing. Records of wins and losses over time will be forgotten but knowledge gained can last a lifetime.
Again... Congratulations to all and Thank you to all parents.
REMEMBER... practice your studies and study your practices it keeps you well ROUNDED
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