Pour Me a River

It was a chilly March night outside in the quiet town of Winter Springs, FL. Tonight though, there was quite a bit of ruckus. The Number 1 player in the country, Austin Rivers and Winter Park High was crossing counties to take on Winter Springs High in a crucial playoff game of basketball. This wasn’t just another playoff game, both teams wanted it so much, whoever won basically was destined to go all the way.

A little background info on Mr. Rivers, one would find out he has a prestigous championship winning NBA coach as a dad to back him up. Mr. Doc Rivers. Along with the entourage consisting of 6’7” Power Forward, Adam Jones, and 6’1” Point Guard, Brett Comer, they were virtually unstoppable. It the high school equivalent of the Boston Big 3. He was definitely more fortunate than most kids pursuing the same dream. Having a new basketball always and his own indoor-court gave him the advantage of being one-step ahead of the game by practicing round the clock. The forte of being able to practice with and against professionals in the league he was trying to get to, kept Rivers hungry to join the brotherhood he has been involved with around the league.

You found out that Rivers was the real deal when in 2007, he came out at Palm City Classic and opened up the game with 5 straight threes. Coming out on the court as a true freshman starter was hard enough pressure-wise. But Rivers had that cold ice in his veins. He had no emotion towards his opponents. Shortly after, he was on the covers of almost any basketball- related magazine, and sports sections in newspapers across the country. The hoopla and fame was just starting. His name took notice by all kinds of powerhouse college basketball teams across the country. Everyone wanted a piece of this kid, nearby towns feared him, dreading the next 4 years, big time programs wanted to take shots at him. Wanting to dead all critical acclaim, and prove he wasn’t the chosen one or nearly as good as they say he is.... [continues]

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