My dear granddaughter, Anna, is in 5th grade and plays basketball with a team from her school. A month or so ago, I attended one of her games and was impressed with all the girls who were learning the rules of the game. I suggested we try to get tickets to one of the Penn State Lady Lions basketball games.
Yesterday, was the day! Kathy’s family, plus her mother-in-law, came for the day and we drove u p to the Bryce Jordan Center on campus. I had a few things to learn, since I had not attended any events there for many years. Clear totebags, only credit cards for food and drinks, and airport-level scanning as we entered the building. Those of us with metal knees got “wanded” of course! Times have changed!
Getting to our seats was interesting (in section 105L). I wanted Anna to be close to the action so I managed to get tickets right behind the team seats. So happened…not very crowded anyway! Of course, that sent us down a flight of steps to floor level. Not too bad…until it was time to hike back up!
As we sat down…I realized I had left my phone at home! Luckily, Kathy took lots of pictures so I have some documentation that we were actually at the game! Kathy is the master of “selfies” so that was the first picture I wanted!
Anna had a chance to smile with the stand-up Nittany Lion!
Online there was information about a Kids Zone area at one end of the court with activities for kids before the game. Kathy and Steve took Anna down to check it out. She had time to make two big posters and two beaded bracelets…one she hoped to give to one of the players who was on crutches from an earlier injury. I wasn’t sure about the purpose of the posters until later in the game.
The arena was not crowded but the teams played hard.
Our seats put us right in the action when the refs had to check out an instant replay:
At half-time Anna was invited to try to win a prize by making three baskets in 30 seconds. She was brave enough to say, “Yes, I’ll try!” She took off her Penn State sweatshirt and she had her school t-shirt underneath…NORWIN in bright yellow! Great advertising!
She was able to make 1 basket in 30 seconds and won a t-shirt and a $20 gift certificate! We were so proud of her!
Roving cameras were occasionally focused on folks in the audience…that was the purpose of the giant posters Anna made before the game! Kind of hard to capture a picture of us holding the posters:
The final score was 119 to 43!
I’m so glad Anna could experience such an exciting game. She certainly got to see many of the “drills” the team goes through. She commented how fast the game was. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll be able to attend one of her high school or college games!
Excellent summary of events and the pictures were great. Have you ever thought about working for a newspaper writing reviews, weddings, obits, etc? You’re very good at it!!
Very funny! Ahhh…nope!