A weekend of Basketball **EDITED to add more info**

I never would have guessed that I would be watching 6 basketball games last weekend but I did.

My little cousin, Payton (and her family) traveled up to Ankeny from southern Missouri so she could play in a basketball tournament. Payton is on the Missouri Valley Magic basketball team. I knew Payton was a very talented athlete but she rocked this basketball tournament. It was really fun to watch her play.

Her team played two games on Saturday night, won a game and lost a game. Ryan and I both went to these games plus many family members. I think Ryan enjoyed watching a basketball game. Afterward, we all went out to eat and got to visit a little bit.

On Sunday, Payton's first game started at 8am, they would continue playing games until they lost. I woke up not feeling well but I knew I could make it through the 8am game so I headed back down to Ankeny. Well I didn't back home until 4pm. Her team won the 8am game, won the 10am game, won the 12pm game and were heading into the championship game at 2pm. Of course, I was not going home with all the excitement in the air. So glad I stayed......THEY WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. It was an awesome nail-biting game too. Not only did Payton's team win the tournament, Payton received MVP of the tournament. I couldn't be more proud of that little girl. We had 22 family and friends attend her games throughout the weekend. She picked the perfect time to shine! Payton has the dedication and determination to be star, she is going to do big things in her life. I am privileged to be one of her biggest fans as she takes this journey.

Down the court with no one around

Family in the bleachers

Ryan and his great grandma

So Payton went home with a plaque and I went home sick. Still battling the bad headache and cough. Had a good weekend though.

***here is the newspaper article that was prepared*** A much more elegant review compared to my mumbo jumbo.

Local 4th grader is MVP on State Championship Missouri Valley Magic basketball team

* - removed last names

Ten-year-old Payton * (front row far right #4), daughter of Pat and Jeff * of West Plains, Mo., is a member of the Missouri Valley Magic, an AAU club based in Springfield, Mo. The girls on the team are from all over south west Missouri. Payton is a shooting guard on the team that won the Iowa State Championship 4th Grade tournament in Des Moines, Iowa the weekend of February 28 and March 1. They played two games on Saturday and four games on Sunday winning the Championship game 35-32 on a last second three point shot against the two-time defending Iowa State Champions. During the tournament, Payton was the team’s leading scorer and lead the tournament in steals. She was voted the Most Valuable Player and to the All Tournament Team by the opposing coaches. The Magic will play about 65 games this year over the central United States with the goal of qualifying for the National Championship tournament in June. Payton is a 4th grade student at West Plains Elementary. Pat * and Jeff * were both raised in and around Washington and graduated from Washington High School. Payton’s Grandparents include Eileen and Harold * of Washington and Sue and John * of Brighton.