Texas coach leads team to state semis just hours after giving birth

Frisky Feline · 03-05-2011, 12:29 PM

Texas coach leads team to state semis just hours after giving birth - Prep Rally - High School* - Yahoo! Sports

There's dedication to a team, and then there's Amber Branson. The Lipan (Texas) High girls basketball coach led her team to a regional semifinal victory on Friday, then gave birth to her third child a few hours later. With the regional final scheduled for Saturday, it was assumed that the coach would miss her team's chance to advance to the state playoffs, but Branson had other ideas.

Instead of taking a well-earned day off, Branson returned to the bench on Saturday, leading Lipan to a come-from-behind, 45-41 victory over Newcastle, sending the Indians to the state semifinals for the first time in eight years.

Perhaps it's no wonder that the Lipan girls basketball team motto in 2011 is "If it's easy, I don't want it."

"I was pretty tired," an incredibly understated Branson told the Associated Press of her return to the court just hours after giving birth. "I never felt like I couldn't do it. God's been good to me this week."

In fact, Branson's claim that her between-games birth was fated may have something to it. The coach reached a hospital in Abilene, where the regional finals were being played, about 9 p.m., shortly after her team's regional semi victory. By 10 p.m., daughter Leslie had already been born, a labor too quick to even allow for an epidural injection.

Yet, had Branson received that epidural shot, she might not have been able to recover in time to coach the game on Saturday, even though doing so did require her to leave Leslie behind in the hospital for a few hours.

"That was all part of God's plan. If I had the epidural, I might not have been able to make [the game]," Branson said.

"I would have taken [daughter Leslie] with me if I could have."

She wasn't able to, but by the time she came back to her newborn, Branson was also the coach of a regional champion basketball team, a squad which followed her shortly thereafter and took a photo with their coach and her new baby

Check the link.

She's a tougie mommie! ha

It kind of reminds me of my old basketball coach. She had terminal cancer and she came with us to girl basketball tournment to the other state. Assistant coach had to video tape at us then showed it to her during the half during basketball. She watched it what we did and yelled at us for doing the wrong way or whatever it was. She was really awesome. Unfortunately she did not make it. She was a young lady and was engaged. I do miss her.

rockin'robin · 03-05-2011, 02:46 PM

Never underestimate the power of a woman...Kudos to her!....

I remmy back in the old days, women were required to have bed rest for a week or more after giving birth and there were no shots involved, either, (for pain)....now-a-days, it's best to get right up, and move....get ur body back into shape.

**Bottesini** · 03-05-2011, 06:09 PM

Inspiring story.

03-05-2011, 12:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Frisky Feline Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 20,557	Texas coach leads team to state semis just hours after giving birth Texas coach leads team to state semis just hours after giving birth - Prep Rally - High School* - Yahoo! Sports There's dedication to a team, and then there's Amber Branson. The Lipan (Texas) High girls basketball coach led her team to a regional semifinal victory on Friday, then gave birth to her third child a few hours later. With the regional final scheduled for Saturday, it was assumed that the coach would miss her team's chance to advance to the state playoffs, but Branson had other ideas. Instead of taking a well-earned day off, Branson returned to the bench on Saturday, leading Lipan to a come-from-behind, 45-41 victory over Newcastle, sending the Indians to the state semifinals for the first time in eight years. Perhaps it's no wonder that the Lipan girls basketball team motto in 2011 is "If it's easy, I don't want it." "I was pretty tired," an incredibly understated Branson told the Associated Press of her return to the court just hours after giving birth. "I never felt like I couldn't do it. God's been good to me this week." In fact, Branson's claim that her between-games birth was fated may have something to it. The coach reached a hospital in Abilene, where the regional finals were being played, about 9 p.m., shortly after her team's regional semi victory. By 10 p.m., daughter Leslie had already been born, a labor too quick to even allow for an epidural injection. Yet, had Branson received that epidural shot, she might not have been able to recover in time to coach the game on Saturday, even though doing so did require her to leave Leslie behind in the hospital for a few hours. "That was all part of God's plan. If I had the epidural, I might not have been able to make [the game]," Branson said. "I would have taken [daughter Leslie] with me if I could have." She wasn't able to, but by the time she came back to her newborn, Branson was also the coach of a regional champion basketball team, a squad which followed her shortly thereafter and took a photo with their coach and her new baby Check the link. She's a tougie mommie! ha It kind of reminds me of my old basketball coach. She had terminal cancer and she came with us to girl basketball tournment to the other state. Assistant coach had to video tape at us then showed it to her during the half during basketball. She watched it what we did and yelled at us for doing the wrong way or whatever it was. She was really awesome. Unfortunately she did not make it. She was a young lady and was engaged. I do miss her.

03-05-2011, 06:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bottesini Joe's Friend Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: With Owl Sock Posts: 37,644 Blog Entries: 1	Inspiring story. __________________

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Today
Deafness	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on AllDeaf.com

03-05-2011, 02:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
rockin'robin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 15,667	Never underestimate the power of a woman...Kudos to her!.... I remmy back in the old days, women were required to have bed rest for a week or more after giving birth and there were no shots involved, either, (for pain)....now-a-days, it's best to get right up, and move....get ur body back into shape.