Sectional Showdown

Dateline ANTIGO ...

The stage was set for another girls basketball nail-biter tonight when our still #2 ranked Royals faced the still #1 ranked Wausau Newman team. The last two meetings, we lost to them -- once by 1 point after a last-second shot and once in double OT on our home court.

Tonight there was much more at stake. This was the first round of sectionals and the winner would be one step closer to Madison. Really, just one mere game away from state.

We normally wouldn't travel 90 miles for a game that did not involve our child. But how could we not?

Hubby and I -- both wearing our Royal Blue naturally -- actually headed straight up to Antigo from work, still over an hour from Iola. Carter caught a ride on the Pep Band bus. Oh yes, this was a big deal.

The gym was packed, split pretty evenly between Cardinal Red and Royal Blue. It was loud. We were excited. And the pressure was on.

Perhaps it was too much. Perhaps third time would not be a charm. We kept it sort of close the first quarter but we were down by 19 at halftime. Closed the gap a little in the third quarter but they just kicked our butt all over the place, beating us 58-31. What a sad way to go.

I suppose it's better than losing another heart breaker, but losing still sucks. Luckily, we have a young team so it was the "last game" for only 2 of the girls. Still sad.

Since we were so far away, we had Carter ride home with us instead of taking the bus back all the way to town -- and having to wait for it. We did make one stop at the Golden Arches so Carter and Dad could get fries and someone or two could get a Shamrock Shake.

Comfort food, man. Comfort food.