Mark's team won their playoff game today, 43-20.  It was close until the 4th quarter when Mark make several layups in a row.  He had 26 points and 26 rebounds.  The coach is good about having all players play equal amounts of time and the emphasis is on passing and having everyone handle the ball and try to score.  Mark is among the tallest in the league and that helps him.  That won't always be the case, though!  What is nicest of all is that the coaches and fathers and everyone has some much good to say about Mark, even opposing coaches.  What's best is that they always say what a fine person Mark is before saying what a good player he is.  They always comment on his being polite and gentle, a very nice boy in how he plays.  The coach they will be facing in the next round (semifinals) stayed to scout and had lots of good things to say about Mark.  He offered me the use of his condo in Florida for free next weekend, and even said he'd pay for our flight there and back, if we went and took Mark!  He really wants to win but knows Mark is the one in their way.  He's a very competitive coach and heads up the league. Mark's team beat their team quite badly during the season.  Mark is definitely the best rebounder in the league and probably the top scorer as well.  There is one team that somehow got most of the travel team players on it and that beats everyone by 20 or 30 points or more.  The other teams are very equal.  What makes that team good is not an outstanding player but good players at all positions.  That's who they'll play if they win the next playoff and get into the finals.  The 'down' side for me is that I'll be in Lancaster leading a marriage retreat next weekend and will miss the playoff Friday evening, finals Saturday morning and then the All-Star game which Mark will be in following the championship game.  I really, really hate to miss but this retreat was scheduled more than a year ago.  Pray for Mark, that he will be safe and not injured this week.  He's been jamming fingers and spraining his ankle a lot.  Pray he'll do his best and be a good sport and example no matter what.  That is my main prayer for him - how he handles things.  That's more important than winning.  I want you to know you can be proud of him.  Glory will watch him play for she'll be here to take him to the games.  I send DVD's of 2 games to Dan for the rest of you in Minneapolis to watch.  God bless and thanks for being such a good example for mark - that greatly contributes to making him who and what he is.  Love,  Dad/Jerry