Sports have always been a very meaningful part of my life. As a child I was always playing one sport or another. I’ve been on soccer teams and baseball teams, and I even helped coach my little brother’s tee ball team. For the past 10 years I’ve been actively involved in the martial arts, taking lessons, competing in regional tournaments, and helping out little kids at fun summer events like “Ninja Camp.” But even with all that I must say that being on the varsity basketball team has by far been the most meaningful experience of my high school days. Why? Because I’m so passionate about it. I love so many things about basketball: the camaraderie of the team, the fierce competition, the nervous tension I feel before a big game, and even the way Coach throws his clipboard at the ground when he’s mad. This is not to say that I’m any good at the game; in fact, I’m really bad compared to the other Varsity players. I’m a scrawny white kid of 5’10” who can’t dribble, doesn’t shoot that well, and I am the only player on my team who can’t touch the rim. Despite my lack of talent, I can’t help myself – I love the game. I have a spot on the team solely because I work harder than anyone else on the court to execute our game plan – not because I score a lot of points. Coach and the team know they can count on me to be in the right place, doing the right thing and giving my all. Because of this, over the seasons, I’ve become somewhat of a team leader, helping the team with my attitude and my understanding of the game, rather than coming up with fancy moves and nasty dunks. In order to be as useful as possible to the team I’ve had to learn how to play every single position on the court, and play it well enough for us to win. I’ve been laughed at many times when I’ve had to play Center and guard someone two heads taller than I am and fifty pounds heavier. But after four quarters of fighting, scrapping and clawing, my opponents stop laughing. I may not be good but I’m not afraid of anybody. Not only has basketball given me a chance to run around and compete, it has also introduced me to a completely different social group, which has educated me as to the meanings of words such as “flossin” and “blingin,” exposed me to rap music (which is now my favorite), and I’m even a teammate’s “dawg.” I’m absolutely crazy about the game and, honestly, would not give it up for anything.
