For many of us, the four years that we spend in high school are four years that we would rather forget. Within that mess of almost half a decade, there are a few things that will be missed. For a few of us, sports will be one of those things. Playing basketball in high school is one thing that I will always hold near and dear to my heart because I miss everything about it.
1. Bus Rides
Some of the best conversations happened on those long bus rides after games. Some of the best singing contests happened on those long bus rides after games. Some of the best ideas for later in the season were realized on those long bus rides after games. They rocked.
2. Saturday Morning Practices
"Coach, did you bring donuts?" "Why am I awake right now?"
The first one of the season was the worst.
3. My Coaches
My head coach played the good cop. She was always so calm and she let us play pranks on her. Our assistant coach, on the other hand, played the crazy cop. Every practice, game, or team gathering with him was different, interesting, and memorable.
4. Watching Film
You all know that you made fun of the two other teams you were watching film, even though you should have been paying more attention to the girl who you were going to guard in your upcoming game. It happened to the best of us and it makes for a good memory.
5. Before Practice Warm-ups
This was the most dreadful/sometimes hilarious part of practice in general.
6. The Warm-ups That Consisted Of Playing Pranks On Our Head Coach
These pranks could have included (but were not limited to) the coach walking into the gym and no one being there, using an air pump to blow up a basketball, and jumping on her/him just because the whole team was "excited to seem them." Yeah, those are memories that are definitely missed.
7. Summer League
Summer leagues were the best part of summer basketball because the referees turned a blind eye to most things. It really felt like you could play and play hard. The car rides to the games every week also made each one of them so much fun.
8. Summer Shootouts
These shootouts were something else. You were able to see so many teams in one place and you were able to get really competitive. You probably also made funny memories at them, especially if you had a teammate who was able to get sunburnt through a window during a game.
9. The Season Opener
The jitters, the way that you wanted school to go quicker so that you could finally go shoot around, hearing your name get announced before the game for the first time, and playing as hard as possible with and for your friends are hard to let go of.
10. Our Jerseys
What girl doesn't love clothes? I loved my jerseys, especially when we got brand new ones two years in a row, and I miss being able to wear them. I'm certain that my teammates and other former players do too.
11. Our Team Warm-up Song
"Drunk In Love" by Beyonce was our team's favorite song to sing together before games. We sucked at singing and knowing the lyrics, but it sure was fun.
12. The Feeling After A Big Win
It's a feeling that's unlike most. The really big ones where the whole team got excited and you could feel the energy were the best. I miss that energy and excitement.
13. Working Hard In Practice
Practices sucked sometimes, but I miss the schedule of how practice went. I miss trying to do my best in each drill and remember each play. It's something small that you won't think that you will miss, but you will.
14. Our Other Pre-game Rituals
We put our socks on a certain way, ate the same food, and drank the same sports drink before each game. There was always that one teammate who seemed to not be able to find their jersey and the one who had to do the exact same things (to a T) before the game started. You'll miss that. I sure do.
15. All The Team Pictures That We Took
"Do you remember that one time when we dressed up like cheerleaders?" "Yeah, that was cool."
16. Most Of All, My Teammates
My teammates, especially the ones pictured here who were the same age as me, were the people who were always there for me. They were there during the best times, the biggest wins, the best practices, and the worst times, including bad games and after those awful losses to a team that we weren't supposed to lose to. I miss laughing with them, making memories, and being together every day for five or six months out of the year.
Basketball is a sport that is able to teach us many life lessons. It teaches you that you cannot do things alone, that each person has the power to help or hurt a cause, and that succeeding with those you care about is one of the best feelings in the world. It also teaches you to keep persevering and to never give up. Basketball was a wild ride and I am so thankful to have experienced the people and the lessons that I did in my four years of playing in high school.
