I truly love the game and especially love watching my grandchildren compete on the hardwood. I've got several playing on various teams this winter, but I'll start with my two oldest grandsons, both middle-schoolers at Shenandoah Middle School

Karter (left photo) is on the 8th-grade team and his brother Kaden is on the 6th-grade team.

Their seasons are winding down now, but here are a few of my favorite shots of them from this basketball season.

Karter's team has had a fantastic season, so far losing only once in a close contest to Lapel. He usually isn't a starter, but one of the first ones off the bench to give the team a great outside shot and a defensive spark.

Coach Ellsworth has been a great thing for this group of boys, their first non-dad coach, and he's helped them grow tremendously in their skills, work ethic, and confidence.

My favorite Karter defensive play of the year...#2 was racing down the floor for a breakaway layup, but Karter caught up with him and blocked his shot, without even fouling. Awesome hustle!

Karter used to be very timid on the basketball floor but he's gotten so much more aggressive going after the ball!

Karter and his teammates have a great basketball future ahead of them. I'm excited to see how they continue to develop as players and young men as they move to the high school level next year.

But no matter what happens on the basketball court, there will always be a special place in Gramaw's heart for our first grandchild!

Kaden plays a different role on his 6th grade team. He is definitely the team leader and when he's on the bench, the Raiders can't seem to do much.

Their team record is about 50-50, but there is a lot of potential in these boys who are still just starting to grow and mature.

Kaden plays with a lot of passion and makes some of the craziest faces!

There just might be a foul happening here...

Despite suffering a concussion right before Christmas and having to sit out a couple of weeks, Kaden has improved a lot and had a great season.

Makes Gramaw's heart happy getting to watch her favorite Raider...

...middle school basketballers.