Basketball Persuasive Speech

Every muscle springs to life with each step taken followed by a faint squeak echoing underneath my Adidas J Wall 1’s. Every step feels like dead weight stuck in time while images wash across my brain over the tears shed last year and the hype of Kentucky’s unimaginable season up to now. Lights illuminate the hallway packed with every member that represents UW-Madison, but the only noise of screams can be heard from the inside of Lucas Oil Stadium. Thousands of die-hard fans fill the entire room, yet they only appear like a sea of colors, patiently waiting for the announcer to begin. My mind draws blank before rising slowly to make my way onto the freshly-waxed hardwood floor.
“The final player starting for the Wisconsin Badgers’, a small

The ball flies up into the air in slow motion as two hands reach to tip back to their anxious teammates. Kentucky’s center’s hand smacks back the ball to his anticipating teammate while I size up my opponent not knowing what’s happening. Kentucky drives the ball down the court; it glides from player to player, and we can’t control the speed of the game, which results with a three sinking through the net. Leadership must be present in order to win, which is nonexistent at this precise moment; every member of the team hasn’t taken the step up, including myself. Seven and a half minutes pass with sloppy defensive and offensive skills that keeps the score still; then Duje sparks confidence within our team and after a two point shot. Every possession’s consequence builds up our score with Kentucky falling behind in the dust. Kentucky doesn’t withdraw from the fight though. They rack up the score while we stay stagnant. Every player on both teams exercises the skills learned in practices as we fight for the game we grew up playing in the backyard. Every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears went into the first half, but even that left the half with a tie at 36