Tuesday night Southmoore took the court for the first time since taking off for the holiday season. This is normally a time of high anticipation and excitement as squads look forward to resuming their seasons.

But for the SaberCats, there was a cloud that hung over the return to action. Sitting on the bench in a gray sweatshirt and blue sweat pants during the 63-50 victory over Norman North was Cody Bivens. The senior forward had returned to the team for the first time since his mother died Christmas night in Midwest City.

“We don’t know right now what happened,” Bivens said. “She was at my grandparents’ on Christmas. My aunt found her in her van the next morning. My father (Ronnie) told me later on the day after Christmas.”

To lose a parent is always going to be tough for anyone. But for it to happen on a day that’s supposed to be all about family, friends and togetherness can be an unimaginable ordeal for a teenager. Bivens is the oldest of the four children Wendy Michelle Bivens left behind.

“That’s hard for anybody,” Southmoore coach Wes Brown said. “Especially for a young man in high school and he has younger brothers and sisters. It’s very difficult.”

Yet, Bivens wanted to be with his team when they returned to action for the first time this year. Not just because it would help take his mind away from the tragedy at home, but because they were there for him during what is the most difficult time of his life.

“They have been there for me whenever I needed them,” Bivens said. “They have called me. They came over. They brought food by. They are very understanding. They are just ready for me to come out there and help them on the court.”

Bivens said he will play in his first game today when Southmoore travels to the Chickasha tournament. While his teammates will be happy to have him back in the lineup, they are more concerned with his well being.

Though Bivens transferred to the first-year school from Moore, his SaberCat teammates have become like a second family for him.

“The team supported him,” senior point guard Alex Rivera said. “He is like one of my best friends. When he’s sad, I hurt. His mom, my mom. He is a big part of this team.”

With her passing fresh on his mind, Bivens still has moments throughout the day when he thinks of his mom and everything she has done for him.

“Her teaching me how to fish, getting me real into sports,” Bivens said. “Both my parents did a lot of that. Taking me to games. Just stuff like that. Just thinking about her. Almost everything reminds me of her. But I am going to stay strong. She is in a better place now.”

Bivens said he wouldn’t be where he is without his mother. That includes being a standout in two sports. Now he wants to finish her dream for him and go to college.

“I think I made her very proud with the season I had in football,” Bivens said. “And I think the things I have been doing, on and off the court, have made her proud. I am going to continue doing that. I am going to work hard in school and try and get a scholarship.”

While he tries to get a scholarship, help his team on the court, go to school and help take care of his younger siblings, Bivens has to deal with the grief of losing his mom. Today will be the first time she will not be around to see him play.