Like Wildfire

As poet W.B Yeats quotes “Education is not the filling of a pail, but rather the lighting of a fire.” There as been many moments in my life where this fire was lit inside of me. As a person I love to learn new things, and put myself outside of my comfort zone. Especially under the topics dealing with sports, English, and certain science classes. Although, sports has been the one thing that has spread through me like wildfire. Growing up my life was completely consumed through competition and athletics. From a very young age I fell in love with the sport of softball, and it came so naturally for me. I loved the feeling of being outdoors, swinging a bat, and being covered in dirt by the end of it. Before coming to public school, I attended a private school that did not have many other sports. The only sport I knew growing up at the time was softball.

It wasn’t until my 7th grade year that I began playing basketball. All my other friends played, and I was so curious and determined to the play the sport. Unfortunately, basketball did not come as easily to me to as softball did. It required a lot of quickness, coordination, and strength. Which at the time I did not have a lot of. Watching my friends play, it really kept my interest, and all I wanted to do was get better. From the first tryout on the middle school team, I knew I would have to put in a lot of extra work in order to make the team. I found myself constantly downstairs dribbling the basketball, or outside in the summer; for hours-on-end shooting left handed layups– or swishing every foul shot I took. It was from that day that the match of basketball ignited inside of me. Each and every day I wanted to learn a different move in order to get by a player. A different way to hold my seal on a box out. A different way to condition myself in order to be the best player I could be.

Learning the basics took some time, but without the fundamentals I would have nothing to go by. As I continued my basketball career in high school, it was a whole new atmosphere. My freshman year, I felt like a kid playing against professionals. It was intimidating. I was playing with girls that were much stronger, bigger, and faster than me. While I had every chance to crack under the pressure I decided to rise above it. I was pushed completely outside of my comfort zone, and learned so much more about the game. One of the greatest things about basketball is that it is not all physicality. There’s a lot of knowledge that goes into the sport of basketball. You have to know when to take the shot, how to make that pass, and always thinking one step ahead of your opponent. It a game focus where you need to pay attention, and see what your opponent is comfortable with; that way you know how to take advantage of their weak spots.

I continued teaching myself by putting myself in tough competition. I had played on two elite basketball teams through my freshman and junior year of high school. I absorbed knowledge through the athletes I played with, as well as the coaches I played for. In all honesty, through all the work and experience it was never easy. There was a point in my life where I felt at my lowest point, and almost completely gave up on the sport itself. Although, during this moment I always kept in mind the little girl whose eyes widen when making her first shot. I remembered the little girl’s smile when making an incredible steal. I remember the feeling the girl had when celebrating with her teammates on an incredible win against their rivals. It was that spark that always kept me playing for that little girl, for myself. While I have learned so much about the game of basketball, basketball has taught me so much about myself. It’s the sport I could never repay for everything it has given me.

After high school I am continuing my career in basketball. I have already met so many fantastic players, and I am beyond excited to play for the incredible coaching staff. Again, I stand in the same position; a different ball game with some intimidation. The game will be more advanced, but I will remain eager and excited to see what I will learn through this experience. As I stated before sports has always ignited me when it comes to learning, but basketball to me has been like a wildfire within me. It’s the one passion that you could never get under control or contain.

Photo by Chips Fire on Foter.com / CC BY