Lessons Learned From A 10-year Old Boy That Would Make FDR Proud

(Ladera Ranch) — The young boy with beautiful blonde hair and a quiet, humble nature, was next.

The 10-year old child stepped forward — away from the wall and his peers, and left behind his last refuge of security.

He softly walked towards the court where the kind and reassuring Team Nikos basketball instructor was waiting for him: Scatterday, Ricky, Bib # 34-28.

The time had come. Ricky’s turn for youth basketball evaluation had arrived. There was no turning back now. He was living in the moment and focused on the task at hand.

DRIBBLE - PASS - SQUARE-UP - SHOOT - HIGH-FIVE - SMILE

In 2016, the close-knit community of Ladera Ranch welcomed its crown jewel to the neighbourhood: the Ladera Sports Center, a $32.6 million 119,000-square-foot, four-story state-of-the-art athletic complex dedicated to providing world-class indoor programs and events.

Investment entrepreneur H. Michael Schwartz was granted approval for the facility by the Orange County Planning Commission in 2014.

Schwartz is the Founder, Chairman & CEO of https://www.smartstopassetmanagement.com/about-us/executive-team/.

For any average size adult the Ladera Sports Center is jaw-dropping to take in:

• 48,752 sq. ft. of court space and no columns
• high efficiency lighting and is LEED certified.
• climate controlled technology
• All-Star Café serves healthy and delicious snacks, meals and beverages.
• digital technology allows viewing throughout the facility as well as from home via live webcasts.
• first floor of the facility houses the fitness center, offices and reception area.
• Ample seating for 62-84 spectators on every court.
• Over 300 parking spots and 4 electronic charging stations

For a child, the sheer awesomeness of the Ladera Sports Center actually pushes some children out of their comfort zone and persuades them to lace up and grab a ball simply to be a part of the athletic center in all of Orange County that is ”THE” place to be.

Just ask Ricky. Bib # 34-28

ORANGE CONES - POLISHED HARDWOOD COURTS - CLIPBOARDS - INNER STRENGTH

Ricky hails from a basketball family. His Dad, his Mom, his Aunt. In the Scatterday house, it’s all about the hoop.

The game of basketball dates back to 1891 and Springfield, Massachusetts, a New England town known as the “City of Firsts” — home to America’s first Armory and military arsenal, the first American made automobile, the birthplace of Theodor Geisel (“Dr. Seuss”) — and basketball.

On December 21, 1891, James Naismith published rules for a new game using five basic ideas and thirteen rules. That day, he asked his class to play a match in the Armory Street court: 9 versus 9, using a soccer ball and two peach baskets, according to Wikipedia.

In honor of Naismith, the $47 million Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame was built in Springfield, Massachusetts. It serves as the sport's most complete library, in addition to promoting and preserving the history of basketball.

The Basketball Hall of Fame’s architecture features a metallic silver, basketball-shaped sphere flanked by two similarly symmetrical rhombuses and its dome is illuminated at night (http://www.hoophall.com/about/).

On MARCH 12, 1892, the SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN newspaper ran a story on the very first public basketball game. The detailed story, headed “Basket Football Game”, was 3 1/2 column inches on Page 6. It was a time that when a basket was scored a ladder had to be procured to remove the ball from the basket (enchantedlearning.com).

Basketball Hall of Famers include James A. Worthy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Julius W. Erving, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Yao Ming, Jerry West, John R. Wooden, Carol A. Blazejowski, Joan Crawford, Anne T. Donovan, Phil Jackson, the 1960 & 1992 U.S. Olympic Teams, Harlem Globetrotters, Original Celtics, Jerry Buss, Wilt Chamberlain, Pat Riley

ONE TEAM ONE UNIT, ONE UNIT ONE TEAM - TEAM NIKOS

Ten year old Ricky waited at the Bright orange cone for the Team Nikos coach to signal for him to begin. Team Nikos is headquartered at the Ladera Sports Center and runs its youth basketball programs.

Team Nikos Basketball Academy is a dynamic and rapidly growing youth basketball organization based in South Orange County, California, and has the following as its mission: to dramatically improve the skill and basketball IQ of every player throughout the course of each season. We place a tremendous amount of confidence in playing basketball the way it was meant to be played, with skilled and intelligent players forming together as one to create a successful team.

Team Nikos’ motto is “One Team One Unit, One Unit One Team” and the organization strongly believes in teaching the game and helping players develop both on and off the court.

Team Nikos runs the Ladera Ranch/Rancho Mission Viejo NJB programs (http://www.lrnjb.com, http://rmvnjb.com) — and the Ladera Ranch NJB is the largest National Junior Basketball chapter in the nation.

Team Nikos is also the number one feeder program in South Orange County for high school basketball players.

Youth Basketball Evaluations, like the ones that took place Wednesday night, are a part of ensuring that the teams formed are balanced. Every child of every skill level is encouraged to play.

Athletes come from around Orange County to be a part of the basketball programs offered at the Ladera Sports Center. Ladera Ranch/Rancho Mission Viejo’s NJB fall season is currently sold out, however, players that wish to be added to the waitlist are still encouraged to register. Players not placed on a team will be refunded in full, http://rmvnjb.com/season/fall/.

For those not familiar with the Ladera Ranch/Rancho Mission Viejo National Junior Basketball program, the following information is from http://rmvnjb.com/season/fall/:

• Fall League will be co-ed with both boys and girls divisions.

• All participants will receive a full uniform for games, and a participation medal at the end of the season.

• Trophies for 1st and 2nd place for each grade division!

• Tournament Champion and Runner Up trophies will also be awarded.

• Indoor practices at the Ladera Sports Center are offered, but NOT guaranteed.

• Primary and/or additional practices may be held on outside courts at the coaches discretion.

• Rookie Team requests must be specified at the time of registration under the “Requests” box, during registration.

JUMP -RUN - SHOOT - SCORE - DUNK - PLAY DEFENSE - REBOUND - STYLE - GRACE - COURAGE

With all eyes on him, Ricky and his Spalding basketball— with its traditional brownish orange surface and black ribs, began their basketball evaluation journey. Together.

He wore a black tank top with fluorescent green detail, black shorts and black basketball shoes. The outersoles on his footwear were a bright, clean white.

As he dribbled down the court, the bustling of the busy athletic center faded into the backdrop. His focus was on the ball, his momentum, the cones, the hoop. After he shot on the far hoop, he made his way to the corner to begin the journey back.

Back to the coaches, encouraging these young children on with high-fives, eye contact and reassuring smiles.

Back to the first orange cone where the last few minutes began years and years prior...

For Ricky, Wednesday September 5, 2018, was the day he made his official debut in competitive organized youth basketball.

He played soccer, but it was basketball his parents dreamed of for him. Their sport. The sport they both dedicated years of their own lives to. The sport they dreamed their oldest son would jump at the chance to play.

But he didn’t. Not only did he not jump at the chance to play, he wouldn’t budge from that decision. For years.

So all this time his loving and adoring parents have honored his decision— but secretly kept hope alive every now and again by letting Ricky know that a new basketball season was upon them. And if he changed his mind....?

Do you want to try basketball yet? No.

Soccer? YES! What about BASKETBALL!!!??? No. Still.

But this time, this season, this night he finally said YES!

His parents said one of the reasons he decided to finally “jump” in, was that awesome-cool-factor the Ladera Sports Center has in spades.

He wanted to be a part of that center.

After the evaluations ended, and his parents beamed with pride for their young boy, Ricky shared his thoughts on the experience.

He said that one thing he worried about was how well he would be able to play in comparison to the other children. But watching the other boys do their evaluations gave him the reassurance that he didn’t have to be the best. That the other boys were just like him. Same age. Same height. Same builds.

Same fears. Fear of the unknown. Fear of being judged. Not being good enough. Not making a basket. Not dribbling perfectly. Not being fast enough.

Doubt has a way of keeping even adults from doing things...so for a young boy, facing his doubts, fears and worries and stepping onto that court Wednesday carried much bigger meaning.

For Ricky, after the evaluations and standing next to his parents, in that precious unspoken zone of total safety that he willingly stepped away from earlier to settle a score with that bothersome “fear”, his face said words he didn’t need to verbalize.

Confidence. Self-esteem. Self-trust. Inner strength. Personal journey. Success.

All intangible traits he earned all by himself — and most importantly, things money can’t buy. Which makes them priceless in value and customized to fit him perfectly. They can’t be stolen and they have a lifetime guarantee. And the best part, the next time he faces a challenge, he only needs to consult himself to truly know the answer: he can do it, but he has to put the effort in himself.

“I feel REALLY good!!!,” smiled Ricky, still clutching his partner in crime, Spalding. “It wasn’t as bad as it looked!”

And he even admitted that he now wants to play basketball everyday!

Earlier in the evening, while their oldest son was taking on his fears and overcoming them out on the court, his parents talked about the pride and pure joy they felt watching Ricky go through the evaluations.

The family is expecting their fifth baby in December, so older brother Ricky is already tackling life to know how to encourage his younger siblings one day. The firstborn has that responsibility, and his younger siblings will always look to him for advice.

His Mom Katie used to play basketball in high school and her sister was a Division 1 player.

“I am really excited for him,” Katie said court side. “He played soccer for awhile but we were really hoping for basketball one day.”

“Team sports teach children so much,” she said. “Especially basketball because you have to rely on everyone to do their part. In basketball, you are only as good as your team.”

His Dad Rick Scatterday played basketball growing up and also coached a high school basketball team.

“We are so proud of him,” beamed Rick. “Basketball teaches you all the life lessons you need to know: teamwork, dedication, practice, integrity.”

“What I was saying to Ricky earlier before the tryouts and right after he finished...” Rick continued. “...is that you need to trust in God. He will take care of you.”

“Everything is difficult before it is easy. Basketball no different,” Rick followed. “If you face your fears, what is on the other side is beautiful. Everything you want is on the other side of your fears.”

“I told Ricky that now that you did this — you feel wonderful! I can see it on your face!” Rick said. “This is how everything worthwhile works.....”

“Have faith...Do the work...Reap the seeds you have sown,” Rick said.

NOTHING TO FEAR BUT FEAR ITSELF — FDR

On March 4, 1933, at the first inauguration of Democratic President of the United States Franklin D. Roosevelt, he spoke these famous words at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.

America was in the grip of the Great Depression and the new president’s inaugural address was awaited with great anticipation.

Broadcast nationwide on several radio networks, the speech was heard by tens of millions of Americans, and set the stage for Roosevelt's urgent efforts to respond to the crisis (Great Depression), according to Wikipedia.

Wikipedia states that Roosevelt wore a morning coat and striped trousers for the inauguration, and took the oath with his hand on his family Bible, open to I Corinthians 13. After taking the oath of office, Roosevelt proceeded to deliver his 1,883-word, 20 minute-long inaugural address, best known for his famously pointed reference to "fear itself" in one of its first lines:

“So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is...fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. And I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days...”

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Original Basketball Rules (Wikipedia)

There were only thirteen rules of "basket ball":

1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.

2. The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands.

3. A player cannot run with the ball, the player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it, allowance to be made for a man who catches the ball when running at good speed.

4. The ball must be held in or between the hands, the arms or body must not be used for holding it.

5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, tripping or striking in any way the person of an opponent shall be allowed. The first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul, the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made, or if there was evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the game, no substitute.

6. A foul is striking the ball with the fist, violation of rules 3 and 4, and such as described in rule 5.

7. If either side makes three consecutive fouls it shall count a goal for opponents.

8. A goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from grounds into the basket and stays there. If the ball rests on the edge and the opponent moves the basket it shall count as a goal.

9. When the ball goes out of bounds it shall be thrown into the field and played by the person first touching it. In case of a dispute, the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The "thrower-in" is allowed five seconds. If he holds it longer it shall go to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on them.

10. The umpire shall be the judge of the men and shall note the fouls, and notify the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made.

11. The referee shall be the judge of the ball and shall decide when the ball is in play, in-bounds, and to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall decide when a goal has been made and keep account of the goals with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.

12. The time shall be fifteen-minute halves, with five-minute rests between.

13. The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winner. In the case of a draw, the game may, by agreement of the captains, be continued until another goal is made.

Photo Credits:

https://laderasportscenter.com

http://teamnikos.com

http://rmvnjb.com

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame.jpg

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_inauguration_of_Franklin_D._Roosevelt

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