Many times I've thought about what it was about basketball that made me so happy, and now after leaving it behind I think about it all the time.

I remember dreading practices. Yes, you read that right, dreaded them. After the last bell rang I'd be annoyed because I couldn't go straight home, especially if we had a late practice. But, no matter how much I dreaded them, when I did get there I never wanted to leave. We would go from running a mile, to what my coach liked to call "Happy Birthday's!" (suicides), then continue on to doing strength training. There were some days when we would not even touch a ball but I loved every second of it.

I remember every drill like the back of my hand, I remember crawling out of bed on Saturday's for 10 A.M. practices and the bus rides back and forth to tournaments and games, the silence after a tough loss and the excitement after an amazing win. Through basketball I was able to make lifelong friendships with my co-captains and my teammates. I never wanted to be a senior because I knew that, that would be the end of my basketball career and I wouldn't be able to make anymore memories like we used to anymore. I couldn't imagine my life without being able to play everyday. I couldn't imagine not being able to see my team every day.

Giving up basketball was the hardest thing I've had to do simply because it was my life all through high school. I'm grateful for all that basketball has taught me and I'll never forget all the lessons and memories that my team has given me.

But, man do I miss it.