Tag: basketball
My Basketball Journey… by Taylor
My journey with basketball has been a great one. I have played it since around 3rd grade. I love it and it will always be something I love and have a place in my heart.
When I was younger, I started off playing at a church. I had a lot of fun. As soon as I started playing, I knew it was my thing. It was my main sport, and I thought it would always be.
My dad was my coach when I was younger. He loved coaching and watching me play. He used to play it when he was younger. He still coaches me till this day. I was not super good when I was younger, but I was pretty average. I remember one game I was the only kid who didn’t score. My dad set up a play so that after one kid shot a free throw, they could chunk the ball across the court to me. I was wide open but still nervous. I made it, though.
After Upward basketball, at the church, I started AAU travel ball when I was in elementary school. I had a coach named Heather. She was absolutely amazing! I love her and always will. She is like a close friend. Actually, she is one. She has taught me a lot. She prepared me for my future with basketball.
Once I got in Junior High, things got harder, but I got better. I was always nervous before games, though. I would also get nervous in practices. I would be too hard on myself, and I still am. I stuck with it, though. I knew I was doing well, but still focused on what I messed up on. However, I love the sport, so I didn’t want to let it go. Later on, I started to think about whether or not I still wanted to play. I started thinking like this around 7th and 8th grade. I never officially settled on quitting.
I decided to keep playing. I did not hate playing or anything like that. It just started to become something I did not always have fun doing. I will say that those moments when I made a great shot or game changing move felt amazing! One time, we were playing against a team at their gym. I was in 7th grade at the time. We were tied 30-30 at the last 10 seconds. I got fouled and had a chance to put us ahead of them. If I made at least one free-throw then we would be up by one point. I made both! We were then up by 2 points with about 10 seconds left. I felt so good, yet nervous, at that very moment. We tried our best to guard them, but one girl got the ball and dribbled down the court to their goal. I could not let her win the game. I was determined. I ran as fast as I could and tipped the ball right from her hand. She still managed to get it back before it went out of bounds, but she did not have enough time to get off a good shot off. She just threw it up and completely missed. I was so happy! I made the winning shots and defensive play to win the game! That was one of my happiest moments while playing basketball.
Now, I am in high school. I decided to keep playing basketball. I was extremely nervous and anxious. When we started practicing, coach did not cut anyone off the team. If you wanted off, then you would just quit. I didn’t want to quit exactly at the time. The head coach, Wilkins, was starting to really like me, and coach heather, the assistant coach, already loved me. It felt good that they loved me and how I played. I am a really great shooter. That’s what I love to do. I was not that good at handling the ball, but I sure could shoot it. Later on, I started to think different though. After about halfway through the season I was not having fun playing. It started feeling like a job rather than a fun sport or hobby. After the season was over, I broke. I started to really think about how unhappy I was playing every day. We never got a break. We played all year round. I finally decided to quit.
Now, I feel free. I feel like I can do what I really want to do. I want to help animals when I’m older. I am going to take classes that will help me learn more about them. I still love basketball but just as something I do on my own for fun. I do not want to do it all the time and at my school. I am much happier now and glad that I made that important decision in my life.
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An Ode To My Dad… by Taylor
June 20, 2021
Taylor
1 Comment
Taylor
An Ode To My Dad on Father’s Day
I have the best dad I could ever ask for. He always tries his best to make me smile or laugh. He cracks his dad jokes seven days a week. Even if I get upset or frustrated at him, he acts goofy, tickles me, or tries to joke around to lighten the mood.
Lately he has been calling my sister and me squirrels, instead of girls. He acts like it’s a slip of the tongue, even though we know it’s not. Even small things like that can make me smile. One of my favorite traits of his is his dad’s humor.
My dad always tries to spend time with everyone. He spends time outside with mama usually, and he likes to watch movies or T.V. shows with my sister and I. Recently, we watched “America’s Got Talent” and “American Ninja Warrior”. He also started watching the “Lord of the Ring” series with my sister. I was in the room, but I was not really into it. One of the characters freaked me out in the second movie.
Dad also watches me play a video game I like every once in a while. Once, he played while I was teaching him. It was pretty funny. I told him I wanted to teach him again soon. I think it would be so much fun if we played together.
Another bond I share with my dad is basketball. Even though I do not play for my school anymore, we still shoot some hoops outside in the driveway. I just got a new basketball goal for Christmas and still love it. No matter how much he loves me playing basketball, he still supported my decision. I love to play the game “horse” with him outside. It is a fun basketball game to play.
He always tries to help and comfort everyone. No matter how many problems he has on his mind, he puts them aside and helps others. I want him to know that he can come to me if he ever wants to talk. I know I am the kid, but I can always help.
I love you, dad and nothing will ever change that. You are fantastic, super, and amazing. I will always be here for you, as you are for me. I love and miss you the most, no backsies squirrel… I mean dad! You guys might not know what that means because it’s a family thing.
…Taylor
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