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Yo, what’s up everyone? It’s me Chris Eversley from Payton dropping my second journal for the site.  In my last journal, I was just introducing myself and finishing up my summer AAU circuit with the 16U Chicago Demons.  The summer was good, but this winter will be even better.  My team is ready for the upcoming season.  I think we have put in a lot of work in the preseason to prepare for a good year.

We started off this year on an excellent note.  We participated in the Hoops for Healing 2007 Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament.  It was our first time taking part in the event.  We knew that we would have to go in and play as a team to come out with the title.  In the first game, we played against the Naperville North Huskies at their gym.  It was a rough game and an even rougher crowd but we came out on top 65-61.  Next was a tough Oswego East team with a few stars.  That game was also a little challenging but we edged out the win with a fourth quarter rally.  We won 69-60 in a good game.  The last pool play game brought a big challenge, literally.  We played DeKalb High School and they had a few guys who were bigger than most of our team.  It was a high scoring for game for us as we reached 81 points and held them to 72 points.  Saturday night was the final test.  It was the championship game against Waubonsie Valley High School at Oswego High.  The game was intense and the energy throughout the gym was something special.  Everyone was anticipating a great game and that is what they received.  We came out strong defensively and held a 13-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.  The Waubonsie team came back strong and grabbed a 25-23 lead at the half.  At the half, our coach, George Turner told us to keep playing hard and our shots would eventually start to fall.  That is exactly what happened in the second half; we came out with so much energy and displayed a lot of teamwork.  Late in the fourth quarter, I got a fast break and threw down a dunk to seal the win for our team.  It capped off a great tournament for us as a team.  When we play hard, smart, and together, we are a very tough team to beat.  At the tournament’s conclusion, I was named to the All-Tournament Team.  Individual awards mean nothing if you don’t get the team goals accomplished.  It was a good win for the team and we will continue to build on this success. 

Next, I have my eyes set on the conference games.  Our team will be an underdog entering the Red-Northwest, but we will make the best of the situation.  We look to make some noise and play hard every game.  This school season is the most anticipated one in school history.  We will be sure to not disappoint.  I would like to thank Dan P. for this opportunity to drop this second journal.  Until next time, remember “WE, not me!”

Chris Eversley #33