My first memories of stepping on a hardwood, basketball court were 11 years ago at the JCC in Dunwoody. I know this because sitting on my closet shelf is a dusty participation trophy from the first grade. I remember shooting from the lower block and my dad calling it my “bread-and-butter.” I was lucky if I scored in a game, and if I did, it would be from the lower block and I would be running back on defense trying to hold back a smile. I thought it was embarrassing if people could see my excitement from scoring a simple basket. Basketball was not a strong suit for me at first, but after 11 years of shooting hoops, it is almost impossible not get better. I have loved playing basketball throughout my entire life and it is something I hope to keep improving at.
Basketball became competitive for me during middle school. I went to a small K-8 school called Cliff Valley. We were not the most skilled group of players, but we had fun playing together and enjoyed learning what it meant to be part of a team. In ninth grade, I started at Galloway. High school athletics were taken much more seriously than anything else I was used to; the coaches wanted the best from us and everyone wanted to win. I took part in this new mindset and after many weeks of intense practices and nerve-wracking games, I begun to understand that high school basketball was a unique place where I could compete and learn at the same time.
One of my best memories of high school basketball came with three games remaining in the 2017-2018 Junior Varsity Boys Basketball season. We faced the Excel Christian Academy Eagles. With a win, we could keep our chances alive to end the season with an over .500 record. Before the game I was told that one of our usual starters was not on that night’s roster and that I would be starting in his place. I rarely would start games, but when I did I was given an opportunity to show the contributions I could make to the team. I already knew that that night’s game would be one to remember.
After a team dinner at Chick-fil-A and a nearly one-hour drive to Excel Christian Academy gym, we got off the bus and headed to the visiting locker room. Our coach gave us the game plan and we ran onto the court where the clock was ticking down to the start of the game. The announcer read the names of each team’s starting lineup and we shook the referee’s hand. This got me very excited because usually only varsity teams get this kind of treatment. I walk onto mid-court to tip off and the game begins. The first half got off to a good start. I scored my first two points on a well executed pick-and-roll play with our point guard and we went into halftime with a lead of over ten points. I knew our coach liked our effort, but there was plenty of game time left and much more room to improve.
The second half began a little sloppy. Our defense was not as good as it had been in the first half and the Eagles had cut down on our lead. I made a mid-range jumper to bring my point total to four. Then I made a big mistake. Our lead is only two points when one of the opposing players beat me on a spin post move and I fouled him from behind for an “and-1” play. He made the free throw, giving the Eagles their first lead of the game. I was very disappointed but there was still time to win the game. After a strong defensive effort, we got into a fast break and I sprinted down the court next to our point guard. With no one defending me, the point guard made a bounce pass in my direction. I caught the ball, and barely even thinking, I shot a three-point ball from the wing. I waited for the result of the shot and then I heard it. Swish!
With 10 seconds left, the Eagles took a timeout and my teammates shoulder bump me while I stood silent with a grin on my face. I was as nervous as ever knowing that if the other team scores my shot would mean nothing. We got on defense and force the Eagles into a tough shot and got the rebound. Our point guard iced the game with some last second free throws and we won the game. We headed back into the locker room ecstatic. I did not realize what had just happened. After the game my teammates told me that were yelling for me to not take the shot (They doubted my three-point shooting abilities). I responded by telling them that I did not hear a word they were saying. My coach congratulated me and I called my parents on the bus ride home to tell them how the game ended. At a postseason team party the coach shows a video he made of everyone’s season highlights. Unfortunately my game-winning shot was not recorded, but coach says that was one of the clutchest plays he had ever witnessed. This moment in basketball has taught me that confidence can be gained at the most unexpected moments and that positive self-esteem is an essential key for success.