Two teams seeking their first win...two fierce competitors...two cousins going head to head...two sisters talk smack...two families trying to survive the tension, rivalry and epic battle of the first St. C and St. Gerts Cousin SMACK DOWN of 2014.

Bulldogs vs. Bobcats, who would emerge the victor? When I first realized the third grade girls of St. Columban's basketball team was going to face off against the St. Gertrude Bulldogs, I knew it was going to be fierce. My sister Nancy's daughter Rosie was a Bulldog and my Alie a Bobcat. Both cousins were besides themselves excited to play against each other. Both moms excited to start smack talking...Every sister encounter leading up to the big game ended with one of us taking a "smack talk" jab at the other..."Glad you sent the order out today, by the way your Bulldogs are just puppies and don't stand a chance against the basketball prowess of our cats!"; "Love you, sorry St. C is going down tomorrow!"; "After we crush you on Saturday how about a cousin sleepover?". You get the picture, the jabs were flying fast and furious for weeks.

Finally the day of the BIG game had arrived. It was mid season yet victory for both teams remained elusive. They both new that would change tonight, for one would emerge victorious. They were evenly matched. Defense was tough, dribbling, not so much. Shots going wide and possession of the ball swung back and forth like a pendulum. Throughout the intense basketball battle the smile on Rosie's face never wavered.

By the end of this nail biter the St. Columban Bobcats emerged the victors. With a last minute defensive play by Alie (that's my girl!) clinching the 6-4 win.