The Real Winners

 Basketball permanently ended for our girl last Monday.  It was a fun 12-year run, and we've loved watching her perform.  Karson has accomplished many things during her high school career - All A Honor Roll, 4.0 GPA, National Senior BETA, G/T Leadership, All-Academic Team, KHSAA Triple Threat Athlete, Centre Governor's Scholar, and is heading into the University of Louisville's Honors College and Early Admission Nursing Program. She's spent countless hours in sports - volleyball, basketball and track & field and also had a part-time job. We're super proud of her, not just for her academics and athletics, but for simply being a good human being! At her very last home game at South on March 9, she hit FIVE 3-pointers and ended with 17 points which was very cool.

 

From Senior Night: "Karson is a great competitor and an awesome student in the classroom!! She always brings a smile to everyone’s faces and never stops trying to be better in every way. I know you will do great things, so best wishes K.D!!," Coach Embry.

The true winners in this equation are the girls, who despite being tagged as the underdog, managed to work hard and achieve small successes throughout the season (record: 10 wins and 12 losses and some games were super close). Karson's overall season stats included 202 total points, 35 assists, 59 rebounds, and 41 steals. Thirteen of our Varsity team were recognized on Friday night at the District Championship for receiving Academic All-District (3.75 GPA or above). South, by far, had the highest amount of players recognized.

Karson and teammates Gracie and Carrie also received 14th District All-Season Team awards. Now....we move into track season!

In other Karson news, she and her dad were able to take a college visit/tour to the University of Louisville on Friday, March 12.  Both enjoyed talking with the tour leader and seeing the campus.

 

Isaac continues his season with the SW Lacrosse Team and loves playing.  Lacrosse is fairly new to our area which means we don't have a lot of local competition.  We've had to travel quite a bit, but it's fun seeing our son dedicated to doing well.  It also helps that many of his good buddies play as well.  We found ourselves at Lexington Catholic last Saturday. It was a gorgeous, spring day and was awesome to be outside.  I was happy the LC added a JV game after the varsity so I could see Isaac play.  He managed to score the one and only goal too which was cool.  The LC team was tough competition and neither team pulled out a win.  We've got three matches this week if the rain holds off!

Freezing at the Ensworth game earlier this month!

  Miles, our little golfer super star, is growing by leaps and bounds.  He's taller than Karson and about the same height as me.  He and his friend Logan have been spending a lot of time at the golf course.  My dad also spent time mowing down his field behind to his house to create Miles a private course to practice on.  We're still debating on whether or not we'll join Franklin Country Club.  Miles is dedicated to putting in the work, it's simply hard without another driver in the house to be multiple places at once.

I'm officially COVID vaccinated.  Matt got his first dose this week due to his Bells Palsy diagnosis last month (and being on a steroid).  Let's hope things can get back to normal soon!  

Basketball Senior Night 2021

Last night was a special one as we honored the Seniors for both basketball teams, cheerleading, and dance team.  While we didn't come away with the win against Barren County (in overtime), it was still a winning night.  When you can do something that feels "normal" this year, it feels like WIN.  Basketball has been a part of Karson's life since 2009.  

Tagging an early post from November 18, 2009:

 I'm officially coaching Karson's basketball team the Sparks.  We are composed of a whopping six girls and playing division I (which is 6 & 7 year olds). I had the opportunity to attend a coaching seminar featuring the Lady Toppers. Besides the team and Coach Cowles, I was the ONLY female at the coaches meeting =). The Tops were running all kinds of "plays", "defenses", and "fastbreaks" that you can run with your team(s). I was thinking to myself....hummmm, I doubt most of mine even know how to tie their shoes, much less set a screen, pick and roll, while cutting down the lane to the basket???? We'll be doing good to shoot on our assigned goal and not need a water break every five minutes. We had our first practice on Friday. The girls were so excited and did so well. I would have pictures to post on here, but being the coach and all, I can't multi-task that well =).

 

It's hard to believe this little Sparks player has turned into a lovely South Warren High School Senior basketball player.  12 years watching our girl play the sport she loves.  Basketball is a challenging sport both physically and mentally.  She's stuck with it - taped ankles, bruises, broken and torn off toenails, blisters, shin splints, wins, losses....memories!  

Through the basketball years....

This one made it to the digital board for Senior Night:

Karson kicked off the night as the first and only Senior Girl on the basketball team.  It was special.  Emotional.  Every game we are lucky enough to watch, and she's lucky enough to play, is a blessing.  As the season is winding down, her time on the court is coming to a close.   

Each Senior had a tribute board in the gym hallway.  We have the best booster clubs!

After the girls game, the boosters had a small reception area in the cafeteria with all of Karson's favorite snacks - Doritos, Zebra Cakes, Oatmeal Cream Pies, Donut Holes, dipped strawberries, Nestle Crunch Bars and Snapple Apples.  

Some great shots from this season:

Welcome to the 'Ville

It looks like our sweet girl is going to be a Cardinal in the Fall.  The University of Louisville gave her a D1 offer - in academics - hah!  We're super proud of how hard she's worked and know she'll continue to do that for UL.  She was accepted into the Honors College and in December received notification that she was also accepted into the School of Nursing Guaranteed Early Admission Program which automatically reserves her a spot in Fall 2023.  It's bittersweet for this mama as Karson is my best friend.  Her absence will be felt every single day.  There will be a hole in my heart knowing that she may never fully come back and be my little girl who needs me.  I'm just not prepared to say good-bye...I'm not ready...I'm not sure I'll ever feel "ready!" It gives me a great deal of comfort knowing I have extended family in Louisville who will love her and take care of her (Kenton I'm counting on you to be her rock).  She's also got an incredible roommate who she met in kindergarten at Plano - Piper Coleman.  These two have grown up together and remained friends to this day.  While we've not managed to make a campus visit, we plan to do so very soon.  COVID makes everything much harder but fingers and toes crossed, the light at the end of the tunnel is coming.

Karson only applied to UL and WKU.  Our mailbox and her email are constantly being bombarded with college admissions and requests to apply.  However, these two schools were her top picks.  This week she was accepted into the WKU Mahurin Honors College.  She was also invited to apply for the Cherry Presidential Scholarship which is an incredible honor as well and still on the table.

Tik Tok Tik Tok Another Deaton turns 16

Tik Tok is a black hole and guilty pleasure these days.  Once I get started, time passes and I've been sucked into the Tik Tok vortex of videos.  One of my favorites last week came from @didsome1justbumpmeh about the #secondchild #middlechild - it was awesome and spot on for our Isaac.  He's one of a kind and turns 16 today.  I can hardly believe it!  We have TWO drivers, crazy!  Isaac celebrated Saturday night with friends at our house.  If you want something inexpensive, quick and delicious, Kyoto Gardens is perfect.  Although they don't "cater," we ordered about 30 minutes prior to the party and everything was ready and boxed separately.  Since we're still living in this pandemic, I thought it was perfect and low touch.  We disinfected hands and served drinks.  Isaac didn't really want a birthday cake, and lately, he's been a big fan of GAD's.  He decided on a donut cake, and months ago, I'd placed an order with my friend and cookie artist Emily Priddy for some custom Titans cookies.  Again, I liked that both dessert options didn't involve a lot of touch - just grab and eat. 

Isaac has some pretty wonderful friends - many that he's been in school with since kindergarten.  They played games, watched movies, threw lacrosse, and a handful spent the night.

He got his drivers permit today.  It's official!

Happy 16th Isaac!!!  We're so proud of you!!!