My 8-year-old daughter Olivia took part in her first basketball clinic on Saturday. The clinic was meant to be for third and fourth grade girls, but due to a lack of interest, the third and fourth grade boys and girls clinics were combined.

I was interested to see how this would go, and how Olivia would like it. I knew the clinic would have a much different flavor than if it was all girls, and was worried that the boys would dominate at the girls' expense.

The boys did tend to take charge when they scrimmaged at the end of the clinic, but the girls held their own and didn't back down. Fortunately, most of the clinic focused on skill development -- shooting, dribbling and passing -- but the scrimmage is what the kids enjoyed most.

Being a basketball player myself, it was fun to see Olivia -- who wasn't sure she wanted to sign up for this clinic -- having fun on the court. She said afterward that she really liked it and wanted to keep coming.

I also realized afterward that as much as I was hoping this would be a girls-only clinic, that competing with the boys is probably a good thing for her and the other girls, and will more quickly increase their skill development.

At this age though, it's all about having fun, and this was a good learning experience for both Olivia and me.