As the ball sails toward me, I grip it in the palms of my sweaty hands. I dribble once, backing up against the body behind me. I take in my bearings, turn and jump. The ball slides off my fingers and swoops soundlessly into the net.

OK, so maybe I can't dunk the ball like Michael Jordan.

But man, I do love to ball.

From late October to the end of May, I play basketball at the North Buffalo Community Center every Saturday afternoon with a wide array of women from around the area. Each woman is talented in her own right and brings something unique and special to the table every time we play. Each week, I find myself looking forward to some good ol' hoop time, some laughter and, of course, their splendid company.

The talent of the group ranges from beginner to college level, with everyone supporting and encouraging each other. At Saturday ball, there are no bad shots, no intentional fouls and no pressure. There is also no score. We play for the mere fun of playing, which means there are plenty of laughs, smiles and positive comments. Of course, we do like to spice it up a little bit by playing up to a certain score when we have 10 minutes of gym time left to squander. The pace picks up, the passes are a touch quicker, and the shots are smoother. But as the winning shot sails through the net, no matter who wins - there are still plenty of smiles and no hard feelings.

Sometimes I wonder where I'd be in this whole "being out" process if I hadn't started playing Saturday ball. I might still be hiding in a closet somewhere, clutching tightly to my basketball sneakers and afraid to venture out. When I first moved back to Buffalo, I wondered how in the world I was going to meet other lesbians in the area. I wasn't really a bar fly and the online community intimidated me. Then a friend from my former high school asked me if I would be interested in playing some pick-up basketball on Saturday afternoons. I remember her saying, "There are a lot of lesbians who play." How exciting, I thought. What could be better than a group of lesbians who liked to shoot hoops?

As I look back now, that was the best thing my friend could have done for me. I was able to meet some really wonderful women, both gay and straight, who have served as mentors, friends and confidants. A lot has happened in my life over the past three years, and I think that I have been able to muddle my way through it partly because of Saturday basketball. While it gave me a healthy outlet for stress and other frustrations, it also gave me the opportunity to connect with others, gave me a venue for support and guidance, and offered me some time to just kick back and share in some genuine laughter.

As the summer season approaches, I'm excited and eager to get outside and enjoy the sun. Lately, I've decided to take advantage of what our city has to offer. There are so many fun things going on, all I have to do is find them. But as the warmer weather eases its way in off of Lake Erie, I also know that means our Saturday basketball ritual is coming to an end, at least until next fall, and I 'm going to miss it.

I love Saturday ball for many reasons. It's not only a way for me to continue playing a sport that I love, but it also allows me to build connections with other women on different levels. I've had the opportunity to play on more competitive teams since, but they don't compare. The biggest difference is the people that I play with. The Saturday crew has become somewhat of a family to me. And though the group has changed a bit since I started playing, the core individuals remain and our bond has grown. New faces have also emerged and I know that these "rookies" appreciate our open arms. We always welcome new players because it adds diversity to the group and gives us more bodies on the court! So if you love to ball or are just looking for a cool group of friendly, athletic women to get to know - shoot me an e-mail.

There's always room on the court - even if you can't dunk like Jordan. —- Lyndsey D'Archangelo