basketball

The Consequences of Captain

The Big Loss

During one of my basketball practices, one of my coaches brought me to the sideline and asked me if I would play for his “mini-metro” team on Sunday. Duke asked a seventh grader and an eighth grader to play, and I was the eighth grader and Luke was the seventh grader. The team only had eight players to begin with. Isaac and Lane both couldn’t make it to the game and they’re our two tallest players. That confused me because I’m definitely not a big-man. I wasn’t really excited at the time, but later realized how much of a privilege I was getting. Mini-metro is an all-star youth league that is run through towns instead of schools.

The Oxbow Loss

With one minute and thirty seconds left in the game, it looked like a promising victory. Crossett Brook was leading by a whopping twelve points. We just could not stop number 31 on Oxbows’ team, as he had already dropped 17 points.
As the clock ticked down, our team kept making mistakes. We would miss lay-ups, travel the ball, throw the ball to the other team (when Oxbow had the full court press on). Now it was not looking good, the lead was now down to six with just one minute left.

Their costumes are pristine and crisp, perfect. Warming up, ready to wow the audiance. Places! It begins. These swirling, prancing twirling bodies are wirlwinds over the gleaming shining stage. The audiance mesmerised. A leap, a breath of hope and...yes! The audiance jumps to their feet! 3 pointer!

Hair dyed the perfect shade
Streaked with virtual sun
Eyes lined flawlessly
Down the court she runs
A squirt of sticky spray
Keeps everything in place
And her waterproof mascara
Never runs down her pale, smiling face
Her uniform's ironed flat and clean
Her sneakers squeak, neatly tied
The ball floats between her hand and the floor
Her opponents gasp as she runs by

Swish!
the buzzer sounds
were tied
we go into overtime.
this will decide who wins and who loses
whoooo
the sound of the shrill whistle in your ear
someone was fouled
this is your teams chance to win
the first one misses
you can feel the tension in the air
she takes her stance
knees and elbow bent
the ball goes up
everthing is in slow motion
and it goes in
the crowd goes wild

The Big Game
As we pulled up to the arena,
the crowd began to subside.
We got stuck and were late.
I couldn’t wait to get inside.
Once we got past the doors,
I could feel the excitement in the air.
I felt funny wearing no jersey.
People began to stare.
Finally we got to our seats
and the lights began to dim.
As the players took their positions,
I kept thinking, “WIN, WIN, WIN!”

The Big Game
As we pulled up to the arena,
the crowd began to subside.
We got stuck and were late.
I couldn’t wait to get inside.
Once we got past the doors,
I could feel the excitement in the air.
I felt funny wearing no jersey.
People began to stare.
Finally we got to our seats
and the lights began to dim.
As the players took their positions,
I kept thinking, “WIN, WIN, WIN!”

The most memorable moment I ever had was, when my 8th grade basketball team went to a fairly large basketball tournament in New York State. We came into the tournament undefeated 13-0. We were really talented; I was playing shooting guard, one of my best friends mike downing was at point guard, and Luke nethaway our big man was at center.

Every time,
Every stinkin’ time
He beats me.
Basketball is my sport,
I think I’m ready,
I think I’m on fire,
And every time
He beats me.
I’m ready to play
I practice
I hone my skills
I run through my moves
I go over my gameplan,
But every time it doesn’t matter.
Every time he beats me
I don’t know how
Maybe he’s quicker,
Maybe he’s stronger,
Or maybe