Obama Coaches Sasha's Team, But Without Sasha

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama stepped in to help coach his younger daughter's basketball team even when she wasn't there.

White House officials said Obama helped coach 9-year-old Sasha's team Saturday in suburban Maryland because a regular parent-coach was unable to attend.

But Sasha and her older sister, Malia, are skiing in Colorado this weekend with their mother and some friends.

The president often attends Sasha's Saturday morning basketball games at a community center in Maryland. Aides said they did not know if Obama had helped coach before. They did not provide results of Saturday's game.

Journalists accompanying Obama's motorcade to the games are not allowed inside the gym.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)