2 and 1 in Cougar Country

The Hoops Sagrado Knights are 2 and 1 after three games in the coastal city of Reu on Friday.

But before we get to that, let’s talk a bit about our last night in Antigua. While shopping in the market to replace missing basketball shoes and underwear from luggage that American Airlines claims is somewhere (where, none of us are really sure) we saw a most wondrous sight in the distance…a fair.

For those of you familiar with Guatemala or our adventures here, you’ll be well aware of what wonderment the local fairs are. This one proved no different.

After a meal a Pollo Campero a group of us headed to the fair and partook in all it had to offer including the Tornado, the Ring of Fire, the Octopus, and in a site that really seemed to amuse the on-looking locals about 12 of us at once took over the bumper cars. A good time was had by all and there was only one close-call with puking after the Ring of Fire.

On Friday we boarded the bus for the trip to Reu. This year, the autograph sessions started before one shot was even taken. Clearly our reputation proceeded us.

First out of the box were the Knights women. The starting five of Jordyn, Tyler, Breezy, Bookie and Brittany had an outstanding game, but all the ladies--Melody, Jasmine, Imani and Kara--had an opportunity to participate in the 39-26 victory. It was a great effort by all and we're really looking forward to big things as the girls have a chance to gel as a group.

Next up were the Hoops Sagrado young guns (Brandon, Johari, Connor, Lexus, Jeffry and Ronald) and while they had a considerable half-time lead, the team from Reu ultimately prevailed by a score of 24 to 21.

To top the morning of basketball off, the “old heads” (Bryan, Aniekan, Brian F., Jerrod, Shaq, Stan, Johari, Brandon, and Ronald) ran the show with a 58-37 victory. Man of the Match honors go to our fearless leader Bryan who had an incredible 23 points…we’ll credit that to the elusive “cougar factor”.

On the way to Xela, we stopped at Albaramar, had some food, took a swim and boarded the bus to meet the families.

Everyone is now with their families and I'm sure there will be plenty of stories this morning about tepid showers and cereal with warm milk.

Today we're off to visit some ruins and then on to another coastal town for three more games.