If you thought the Hoggards were a one sport clan, you would be wrong. My children's sporting life did not end with Grimsley's football team playing in the state championship back in December.
I think it was the day after that disappointing loss when Jackson and the Grimsley lacrosse team began 'informal' training for the upcoming season which officially begins this month. Since a freshman, Jack has been known as "The Enforcer" on the Whirlie squad because of his penchant for taking opponents flat OUT when the opportunity presents itself. Grimsley lacrosse is populated with many players from the school's 4-A state runner-up football team, even all-stater Robert Lane came out this year. Whirlie lacrosse is touted by some to be a strong contender for the state championship.
When not practicing lacrosse, Jack dons his goalie gear and heads out the Greensboro Sportsplex to stand in front of 90 m.p.h. pucks. He plays indoor roller hockey for two teams. I'm telling you - that kid ain't right.
As for Josie, she and Grimsley's JV basketball team ended their season with a loss to Northwest Guilford last night. Even with that, her team ended with a stellar 14-5 season, which bodes well for the varsity Lady Whirlies to continue their Metro 4-A winning ways in the years to come. My freshman daughter's experience playing basketball and football (you read that right) for Aycock Middle over the past couple of years helped land her a non-starting, but high-play-time, power forward position this year for Grimsley... and she excelled.
Today Josie begins try outs and practice for her true sporting love as a catcher on Grimsley's varsity softball team. The Whirlies catcher is a senior, so the coach is making noises about needing an understudy and stepping her up to play with the big girls and skipping JV altogether. She's that good.
Jesse is no couch potato either. Since AAU baseball is in a lull, he's playing for a very fine YMCA basketball team and has done very well for his first time out in the cage. Being a sixth grader, he is not yet eliglible to participate in any of the sports teams at Aycock Middle. But next year - Katie bar the door.
But the big sports excitment in his life comes early next month. For several years he has bugged the hell out of me to see if I can help land him a spot as a 'ball boy' for the ACC Tournament here in Greensboro. A while ago I mentioned his persistance to a friend with connections to the tournamnet and he was able to hook Jesse right up. Look for our youngest while watching this year's ACC Woman's Tournament on TV beginning March 2nd.. He'll be the guy wiping the sweat off the floor while smiling from ear-to-ear.
Other than that, the Hoggard kids pretty much just sit around and navel gaze.
6:11:29 AM 
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