I have learned a great many things from participating in High school Basketball. It has changed my entire outlook on and attitude toward life. In the eighth grade, I was shy, had low self-esteem and turned away from seemingly impossible challenges. Playing Basketball altered all of these qualities.
On my first of try out practice, I was Petrified. There were these large, muscular, solidly built boys who looked like Norse Vikings. As well as the scrawny, pathetic looking kids who looked like they would fly away in the wind; like myself, all standing together. It was true that I had quite remarkable ball handling skills, but the sheer confidence and masculinity of the other kids made me doubt my abilities. We warmed up with a game of 3v3 knockout. The players were split up and the game began. However, during the game, I noticed that I was not running as hard as I could, nor did I try to evade my defender and get open. The fact of the matter is that I detested the thought of receiving the ball, and I did my level best to seem ineffective to the game. I did not want to be the player at fault who dropped the ball and subsequently ruined the play. I tried to repel the responsibility of helping my team because I was too afraid of making a mistake and letting down my teammates. This aspect of my character dictated my behaviour during the first years of my high school life. Being a highly self-conscious, 14 year old adolescent, I also refrained from asking questions in class, afraid
If we want to win, we need to just go get the rebound, or go dive on the floor for a loose ball. It does not matter how; all that matters is that we need to just go get the ball. It is when the ball is in the air that the game plan goes out the window, and whoever wants the rebound more is going to succeed. This is why I love basketball, because when the game becomes close and it comes down to effort, I know that no one is going to outwork me for the ball. We could have played badly and not gotten any calls from the referees all game, but it doesn’t matter, because if the game is close at the end, one’s internal drive to accomplish what they want could still propel them to achieving
As I grew older, I came to the realization that sports were not just a game, they with life lessons. Without sports, I would not have been in the same place I am today. They have taught me the importance of teamwork, attitude, and perseverance. In almost every sport, a team is a family and with them you are nothing. You learn to rely on the person
I thought I was not good enough to be on the team with the people I knew were magnificent players. I learned a valuable lesson: work harder and faster than everyone else. Knowing I was working with great athletes I had to prove myself that I was worthy enough to play on the team. I was beaten and tired out from all the extra training, but it’s what I had to do. I spent nights after practice to work on things I messed up on.
Lowry high school athletics have changed my life in many ways. It has taught me discipline, respect and how to handle my success and failures. High school athletics to me have been more than just time to miss school or just a thing to do to mess around with my friends. Athletics have already enhanced my career tremendously already. The first thing high school athletics has taught me is disciple.
Everyday people have the opportunity to determine and construct their own decisions and fulfill personal desires. People don 't control their fate, however their destiny lies within their own hands. Believing in fate means supernatural power beyond your control predetermines your life. Ambition and effort towards your goal will determine the outcome of your future. Through experience I 've conquered and obtained my long term goal of playing collegiate level basketball.
Just 2 minutes left the sun half way set, the crowd cheering and most of all the scouts not blinking paying attention to every detail, play and decision each one of us makes, I see the ball come off the rim and the other team grab the rebound and their other play already across the court just past half court I knew what I had to do. With no thought or anything I break out running across the court chasing their player knowing he was going for a fast break lay-up I knew I could catch there was no doubt about it but the question was would I block the ball or not I can feel the eyes staring at us curiously wonder what will happen. Just like I predicted I see his hand turn upside down getting ready to lay it up I take 2 more steps and leap as hard as I can towards the ball staring at the ball and nothing else all I cared about was saving my team from those 2 points and looking good on the court and on that stats sheets, that was a decision I would later pay for. I did what I had practice and done hundreds of times before at the park I swat my hand towards the ball as hard as I can, I hear when my hand hits it and it bounces off the backboard not thinking about my landing instead of preparing for the fall I prepare myself to start running back across court but that wouldn’t happen when I landed I felt a pop in my knee’s
I suppose I was just used to somehow getting what I wanted without any real effort. I’ve been considered a “tall kid” since elementary school and always made the team in middle school. However, that night, I completely embarrassed myself, I missed every shot I threw up, I didn’t make a single play in the scrimmages, and was out of breathe for all three hours. That night, I lied to my father and said I did okay. I didn’t do okay; and that was only the first day of tryouts, on the second and final day of tryouts my name was the first called for cuts, the ultimate failure.
If you like the past then look no farther because you have found it. But you will read these in the present but you will feel like you are visiting the past which you are. Basketball As I stare into the burning bright light all I can see are my teammates in the background smiling and looking right at me as I did to them. But the smell overcame me as all I could smell was the smelly gym from the musty locker rooms.
Finally, tryouts were over. The season ahead would provide a clean slate, an opportunity for a new beginning. Although the Bulldogs faced a challenging schedule, our coach was confident we would again attain the championship spot in our Division. Despite my anticipation of a successful season, lingering anxieties nagged at my assurance. Last year, as one of three sophomores selected for varsity soccer team, I was delighted to be amongst the elite group and motivated by the opportunity to play with the upperclassman.
Tuesday and wednesday went by and thursday and friday were just scrimmage days. After school thursday we stretched and got warmed up then got straight to business we picked teams and started playing I didn 't think the teams were that fair but I didn 't really care I just had to play my game I started down with the freshman and sophomore like every other freshman but i wasn 't regular like them after a few games past the coaches seen that a had some talent and that I should be moved up with the jv and the varsity players so the coach plaste me in the other gym with the more advanced players and put me on a team as soon as i started playing with the older guys I noticed an immediate change in paste I started breathing harder my heart rate shot up and they were just way bigger than me but I had to make it work somehow I knew I wasn 't the best one out there but I hustled a lot and gave it my all and hoped that 's what coach was looking for.
A few days later, the teams met up with the coaches. There were about 10-13 people on each team, and all of mixed grades from grade 6-8. I didn't really know anyone that well, so I just sat and listened as the coach talked and congratulated all of us for making competitive. Then we started practices that week, and the skill level to me was different then I had imagined from my earlier years of playing. the drills were much harder than I was used too, and I got very confused easily for what I was supposed to do.
Sweat dripping down my face; using what little dry spots I had left on my shirt to wipe it off. Darkness filled the night with one light that flickered on and off every few minutes was all that I had to illuminate what was in front of me. Not even an hour ago there was about forty people here and sun shining and now it’s just a ball, a basket, and me. I dribble and crossover the imaginary defender, spins around the other, and finally finishes the lay up right past the last man. Just like every other day in the summer of going into my freshman year of high school, I was the one of the first on the court ready to play and the last to work on what I hadn’t done great on that day.
It was 3 minutes left in the game and we were now down by five points. Our opponents had the ball and they missed their shot. So now it is ours and we are running down the court. I key of the court and the ball is being thrown towards me, I react quickly and grab the ball and score two points. Now we are down by 3.
I started to practice at my house—it was the only hoop available for me at the time. Everyday, I would go outside and just shoot as many shots as I can so, I could make my form better. A few weeks of practicing, I started to see progress in my form—I made more shots than usual. Since I thought I was getting better, I decided to ask my parents if they could put me in a basketball team. My parents agreed without any hesitation.
I felt that I was the worst on the team and that because I was so terrible, no one would like me. After only one practice I was ready to give up. I did not want to put in the effort. Fortunately, my parents forced me to continue with the team. I arrived the next day with an intense