What we didn't realize is that we weren't prepared of all of this. We didn't realize that on our last game we would be such a mess because we have so much love for each other and we knew that we would never play together again. What we didn't realize is that although people tried to tell us, we took it for granted and the season went way too fast.
Through all of this, we recognized that we are a team, a family. We did realize that we have so much love for each other and our coaches that nobody could tear us down. We did realize that we are there for each other through thick and thin. We realized that when people are there to talk crap on us and our team, our teammates have our back and we knew that we could do anything or obtain any goal we wanted to.
Our coaches always pushed us to do our best. They push you until you think you can't go anymore and then they push you just a bit more to show you that you can. After that last game, you realize you will never have another game with them. You will never have another practice with them. You realize you took those practices for granted but now, you know you are going to miss them. You know you are going to miss your coaches pushing you and telling you to "push harder", to "dig in", or to "Rise to the occasion." You realize you will never get yelled at on the court again, and it sort of makes your heart want to burst.
When you play your last game ever, not only do you have the emotions of the outcome to deal with, but the emotions of all of the realizations that this time next year, you won't have basketball to look forward to.
Although it is hard to see these realizations fold out in front of you, I think there is one VERY important realization that hits you out of nowhere. The realization that it's over is one thing, and then you realize that there is more to life than sports. After that you get the the biggest realization of all is which is that there is so much more to sports than sports. You realize that throughout the season, and your high school career you have learned teamwork and how to work with others under pressure. You learn that life doesn't always go your way, but that's ok because it ends up working out. You learn that no matter how hard you try, sometimes you just can't pull it off, or you just can't get what you wanted, but guess what, life goes on and you have to learn to deal with it. You learn how to deal with disappointment in yourself. You learn that you can't alway be perfect. That you are going to make mistakes, And do you know what?! IT'S OK! You don't have to be perfect all the time, even though some of us think we do. We learned how to work with someone when we are not be on the best terms with them. We learn to become passionate about something which in turn teaches us not to give up. But the most important thing that we have learned through our sports career, is that we can do hard things! We can accomplish hard things.
So yes, realizing that you have just played your last game sucks, but what sucks worse, is realizing that now, you don't get to be on a team to learn life skills. You have to do it by yourself. What sucks worse is realizing that you aren't going to get that adrenaline rush right before tip off with all of your teammates standing round you, trusting you. What sucks worse, is realizing that your "family" is going to be torn apart after graduation because you will never play with them again. What sucks worse is that you don't have your coaches to tell you to "just slow down, everything is going to be fine."
Although it sucks, it is so worth it. The pain of realization is so worth these past 9 or 10 years that we have been able to play together, and these past 4 in high school. The pain is so worth knowing that you got to be a part of something so great. The pain is worth being coached by the 3 greatest coaches in the world. The pain of being done, is so worth everything you learn from sports and from each other.
So just a heads up for you underclassmen, don't take it for granted. I know you are going to hear that a lot, but it is so true. Don't take your teammates for granted. Don't take your coaches for granted. And most of all, don't take playing on the court and the life lessons you learn from your sport, for granted. Make sure you know that's it's going to go by fast and make sure you give your all, NO MATTER WHAT!
Thank you to my coaches and teammates for allowing me to realize all of these things and for etting me be a part of something so special. I don't know what I would do if I hadn't had the opportunity to play sports in high school.
Love,
MaShayla
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