Friday, May 13, 2016

Not Just a Game: Haven Robertson


  Basketball is not just a game for me. It’s the first thing I think of when I wake up in the morning, it’s my stress reliever, and it’s my first love. Most people think I’m crazy spending all of my free time, focusing all of my attention on a sport. Basketball is my passion. It’s my outlet from reality and all of the chaos of the world. There’s nothing like being in an empty gym, just you and the ball.

 There are so many things I love about this game. What I love most is the sound of the roaring crowd, the sound of the ball swishing through the net, and the sound of my coach yelling out plays. It’s indescribable: the feeling of adrenalin rushing through my body as I “toe up” to the free-throw line.  Being in a tight ball game, sweat pouring down my face, and seeing the excitement and energy in my teammate’s eyes, there’s nothing like it.

 I have made lifelong friends through this game. Your teammates become your family. Not only do we share the same passion, we share secrets, we share problems, we share our hurts, we share our successes. Going to summer camps, practicing everyday together, and relying on each other in games makes us a family. We have seen each other at our best and at our worst. From early morning work-outs and running off of no sleep to the celebration of making it to the state tournament, we’ve become united. We are family.

 I have learned an innumerable amount of life lessons from this game. I’ve learned responsibility, accountability, and the importance of persevering. Learning to keep my head held high after a tough loss isn’t just about basketball; it’s about holding my head high in life no matter the circumstances. To be a team player is a major lesson I have learned because throughout life, I will have to rely on others and others will have to rely on me. Success comes from a team, not an individual.

Basketball is not just a sport. It’s physical and emotional. It’s family. It’s life lessons. It’s my first love.


                                                                                                                       - Haven

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