In second grade I met one of my best friends and my favorite person to play basketball with, no matter what Jake was always down to ball. We moved on through the years into middle school and played for our eighth grade team at Centennial Middle School. Toward the end of the school year the realization of high school was upon us as was the somewhat daunting idea of high school basketball. Until then, the game had never been too serious and we always had fun with it, always. My freshman team consisted of most of the kids I had been playing with for the past several years, as well as a few new faces. I'm not going to lie, we were awful. Our final record was 3-9, two of which we won legitimately. The third was awarded to us because one of our opponents players was ineligible when we played them so they were forced to forfeit. I can't deny that that was one of the most fun seasons of basketball I had ever played. Sophomore year we improved to .500, thanks to a better coach.
Now came JV basketball, and little more seriousness. Out went seven of my teammates and best friends. They quit for different reasons, some wanted to snowboard and some just didn't like the new head coach, so we had to pull kids up from lower teams. Jake and I were the only juniors left on the team, but at least I had him there. Oh wait, before the season started he broke his back doing a backflip on a trampoline. He miraculously returned halfway through the season but it was rough for him. We weren't having as much fun as the previous years due to the loss of many good players and friends. Jake and I spoke a lot and finally decided we would both quit about three quarters of the way through the season. It was the biggest decision either of us had made and like many other things we did it together. Instead of playing for a hardass coach we played pickup on the playgrounds and at the gym. I've never had so much fun. I think quitting basketball, as much as I hate to be a quitter, gave me a different perspective on the game. I learned to have fun with it rather than being so competitive all the time. It's still my life as you can see on my shoulder, I just enjoy it for the way it isolates me in a carefree world of jumpshots and layups, dropsteps and sidesteps.
I enjoyed reflecting on my life and basketball. Sometimes I regret quitting, but I'm reminded of the fun I have the next time I pick up a ball. Nothing in this memoir was fictionalized, I just had to adapt the story a little because I couldn't remember exact dates/ages/statistics. I didn't encounter too many problems when thinking of what to write about, basketball's easy for me. I tried not to use too much basketball lingo, but an example is when I said we go to ball, it just means playing basketball.
I was able to relate to this journal alot. I grew up playing basketball and always loved it. I played varsity for three years, and my senior year wasn't so much fun because all I was concerned with was getting a scholarship to play in college. I finally realized I needed to quit trying so hard and just play for fun. You seemed to have somewhat of a similar experience. I think it's cool how you and your friend made the decision to quit together.
ReplyDeleteZane, I can relate to your journal as well because I was on varsity volleyball from freshmen year unti junior year. I had to quit because i broke my foot jumping and coming down on my ankle really hard. I wanted to be on the team so bad and sit there and and watch, but there was really no reason to. I was so bummed out because all my best friends were having so much fun doing it but I feel like everything happens for a reason. You probably did a good thing for your self because why stay on a team when you weren't even enjoying it as much as you did? any way good journal
ReplyDeleteI can also relate to your story. I've played club softball since I was 10 years old and played on varsity since my sophomore year, and this summer was the first time I haven't played. For the longest time I wanted to play in college but the summer before senior year started I realized that it was too much of a commitment and I didn't love the game as much as I used to. Like you said about how you hated to be a quitter, I felt the same way. I hated how my friends from my team thought it was stupid that I was just going to quit after playing so long. In the end I realized it was a smart decision. Going to college and focusing on my major will help get me further in life, and for them in four years they won't have the sport that they have relied on for so long. I enjoy it a lot more now when I can just play for fun and don't have to worry about being so competitive and getting looked at by colleges. I do wish that I had a friend that quit with me like you did. It's a lot easier when you have someone that understands why you're doing what you're doing.
ReplyDeleteThis Journal relates alot to me because I had the same thing happen to me with my friends in football. I played football since I was 11. I had always played with the same group of friends. Just like in your story it just became too serious and I just didn't think playing was fun. I just decided it wasn't wprth it. I kept playing but I stopped taking it so seriously and just had fun with it. Some of my friends went on and played in college but although that was my love growing up I've moved on. It was fun while it lasted and I met so many great people through it so I have so regrets. Now I want to get involved in coaching. Nice Journal though man, Well Done
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