Lake Neuron

Me and Jacob

Originally uploaded by jicarney.

I have no idea why I have such a serious expression in this photo. I didn’t mean to. My parents and I drove to Murfreesboro this evening to see my nephew Jacob and his teammates from Linden Middle School play in the James C. Haile Invitational, a tournament for middle school basketball teams. The Vikings defeated Van Buren County in their first-round game, and Jacob was the high scorer for his team with 15 points. (The figure is accurate, although I must disclose that the official team scorekeeper is Jacob’s mother — and my sister.)

Jacob’s only in eighth grade, and he’s already pretty tall, even if you don’t count that ridge he has moussed into his hair. Seriously, Jacob is a great young man — not only a good athlete but a gifted student, and I am very proud of him.

In addition to Jacob and my sister, my niece Jessa Mae was there, and one of my father’s closest friends, Dr. Beryl West, met us at the game as well (Dr. West lives in Murfreesboro).