Significant Experience
Hannah Ambrose
Morris
English II
17 August 2013
I have learned a lot of things from participating basketball. It has changed my entire outlook on and attitude toward life. Before my 7th grade year, I was shy, and didn’t have many friends. Basketball has virtually completely changed all of these qualities. On the first day of practice, the team warmed up with a scrimmage game. The players were split up and the game began. However, during the game, I noticed that I didn't run as hard as I could, nor did I try to get open. I realized I really did not want to be thrown the ball. I didn't want to be the one blamed if I dropped the ball and the play didn't work or the shot wasn’t made. I did not want the responsibility of helping the team because I was too afraid of making a mistake. That part of me controlled my whole basketball season that year. I stopped myself from asking questions in class, afraid that I might be considered too stupid or dumb by my classmates. Every day, I went to practice and everyday, I went home physically and mentally exhausted.
My nervousness became noticeable as I continued to fear getting put in the game in case another player was injured. I was still afraid of making mistakes and getting blamed by screaming coaches and angry teammates. Sometimes these fears came true. During my second game, my position at post led me to play in the games on many times throughout the season. On those times, I often made mistakes. Most of the time the mistakes were not significant; they rarely changed the outcome of a play. Yet I received a thorough long lecture at practice for the mistakes I had made. These occurrences only intensified my fears of playing. However, I did not always make mistakes. Sometimes I made great plays, for which I was congratulated. Now, as I start my sophomore year as a starter on varsity and soon to be a 4 year letterman, I feel like an entirely new person.
Over the years, playing basketball has taught me what it takes to
Morris
English II
17 August 2013
I have learned a lot of things from participating basketball. It has changed my entire outlook on and attitude toward life. Before my 7th grade year, I was shy, and didn’t have many friends. Basketball has virtually completely changed all of these qualities. On the first day of practice, the team warmed up with a scrimmage game. The players were split up and the game began. However, during the game, I noticed that I didn't run as hard as I could, nor did I try to get open. I realized I really did not want to be thrown the ball. I didn't want to be the one blamed if I dropped the ball and the play didn't work or the shot wasn’t made. I did not want the responsibility of helping the team because I was too afraid of making a mistake. That part of me controlled my whole basketball season that year. I stopped myself from asking questions in class, afraid that I might be considered too stupid or dumb by my classmates. Every day, I went to practice and everyday, I went home physically and mentally exhausted.
My nervousness became noticeable as I continued to fear getting put in the game in case another player was injured. I was still afraid of making mistakes and getting blamed by screaming coaches and angry teammates. Sometimes these fears came true. During my second game, my position at post led me to play in the games on many times throughout the season. On those times, I often made mistakes. Most of the time the mistakes were not significant; they rarely changed the outcome of a play. Yet I received a thorough long lecture at practice for the mistakes I had made. These occurrences only intensified my fears of playing. However, I did not always make mistakes. Sometimes I made great plays, for which I was congratulated. Now, as I start my sophomore year as a starter on varsity and soon to be a 4 year letterman, I feel like an entirely new person.
Over the years, playing basketball has taught me what it takes to