An Open Letter To The High School Basketball Player | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

An Open Letter To The High School Basketball Player

Enjoy every moment of it, because before you know it you'll be wearing that jersey for the last time.

11780
An Open Letter To The High School Basketball Player

Dear high school basketball player,

“Get on the line.” These are the worst words that could ever come out of Coach’s mouth. Either that or “We have practice Saturday morning.” When you’re living in the moment you hate these little things. You hate getting up early and going to the gym. You hate timed horseraces and you hate them even more when you have to keep doing them because not everyone made it across the line in time. You hate constantly turning down plans and saying, “Sorry I can’t I have practice.” You hate constantly being tired because you didn’t get back from your game until 11 and you still have three hours of homework to do. You hate when you can’t knock down an easy shot, or the rebound slips right through your hands. You hate the bruised knees, the jammed fingers, and the occasional sprained ankle from time to time. When you’re living in the moment of the game, of the practice, of your life these things seem unimportant. However, looking back all these things made me into the person I am today.

If it wasn’t for all of those horseraces and sprints I wouldn’t know how far I could really push myself. I realized that it wasn’t ever about my physical shape, which was always there coach just wanted to test our mental ability. These things taught me about leadership and to always put my team before myself. If it meant running another line, shooting 50 more free throws, or just cheering them on while they finished it was worth it knowing it would benefit all of us. Yeah, missing out on a few parties or sleepovers seemed like the end of the world then, but trust me it’s not. Team dinners are much more important, trust me on this. Not only because you get to eat (and who doesn’t love stuffing their face after a practice) but because the closer your team is the better you play. Being tired after a faraway game and staying up late is actually beneficial. This only trained me and gave me a look into what every night in college is like.

Now the pain, that’s something I thought I would never miss. I couldn’t wait until my body wasn’t black and blue and my fingers no longer swollen. However, I’d love to go back and get a few more battle wounds. If it wasn’t for basketball I wouldn’t have stories to tell about the scars on my knees or how I got my tooth knocked out my senior year. There’s a saying that’s been printed on thousands of sports t-shirts that reads, “Pain is temporary, pride is forever.” Back then I just thought this was some lousy overused slogan coaches put on shirts to try make the other team think we’re better than them. Now I know that this saying couldn’t be truer. The pain, that’s the easy part. Throwing yourself to the floor after a loose ball, taking an elbow to the face at an attempt to get the rebound, running sprint after sprint after sprint, that’s all easy. It is the pride part is the difficult.

When you’re sitting in the locker room after the final buzzer of your last game ever, tears running down your face, and refusing to take off the jersey that’s when it hits you. You wish you could’ve scored more, broken a few school records, and won few more titles. You wish you could go back to the first time you picked up the ball and fell in love with the game. You cannot find pride anywhere, only regret and “what ifs.” But when you’re packing for college and you see all the sweats, basketball T-shirts, warmups, and shoes laying there it hits you. When you go to support your former teammates and you have to sit in the stands rather than on the bench it hits you even more. It wasn’t about how many games I won, points I scored, or how many fouls I got (sorry coach), it was about being a part of something bigger than myself. It isn’t just a game you pour hours, days, and years into. It has and never will be “just a game.” Basketball is a lifestyle, it is love, and it’s always a part of you. One day you’ll stand where I’m at, watching from the stands missing every aspect of the game, wishing you could put on the jersey and lace up your shoes one more time. No matter how much we want to we can’t go back. One day, just like me, you will see that if you love something so much you have to let it go. When that day comes your heart will be full and your pride will be shinning. Enjoy every minute you are on the court, even if it is on a Saturday morning. Push yourself even harder when coach says to get on the line. Do your absolute best even when no one is watching. You may not be the leading scorer or the MVP, but if you give it your all 24/7 and get the most out of your talent you’ll be a lot more proud down the road. Leaving the game behind was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, but it makes it easier when I see girls playing it with just as much heart and intensity as I did. Enjoy every second of it because it will be gone before you know it.

Love always,

The girl who used to be you

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

86808
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

11789
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

12183
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments