“He is just truly finding joy in their company, their enthusiasm and their pure love for the sport like he has,” she added. “They have revitalized him and helped him through one of the toughest times any of us has ever had to deal with.”

Jim and Northville play Elba Central in their semifinal Saturday afternoon in Troy, New York. Sam and Simsbury play Holy Cross for their state title Saturday night in Uncasville, Connecticut. There might be just enough time for Jim to coach his game, then get to Sam’s. If Jim wins Saturday, his state final is Sunday.

Sam thinks his mom would have chosen to be in Connecticut this weekend, even with Northville playing.

“But I think she has the best view now,” he said. “She gets to see both of us doing what we love. And she may have never given herself the credit while she was with us, but I think she knows now that we never could have gotten here without her.”