By KENZIE GARNER
Sheridan High School Student
This column is brought to readers by Sheridan High School dual-credit program students and Human Services teacher Abby Williams.
Basketball to me is more than just a game where you try to score more points than the other team. To me, basketball is my everything, and without it I don’t know what I would do.
Basketball has changed my life in so many different ways, by building relationships with new people, learning to not take things for granted, and taking steps toward my future in college.
Throughout my basketball career, I have had to overcome many obstacles and fears. I used to not be able to play in front of people because it made me so nervous that I would go sit with my parents and cry. Now even with the sidelines full, I don’t get nervous; instead, I just go out and play to the best of my ability.
Through dealing with these fears, I have made many new friends. Some of my best relationships I have had are through my AAU team, and I still talk to these people even though I don’t play with them at this time. I love catching up with them and hearing their stories of how their lives have been. I have also been able to make many relationships with college coaches, and this is one thing I am very grateful for because they are there to help you and guide you through your college experience. They want you to succeed, and that is something I will really cherish.
One thing I learned the hard way is you shouldn’t take things for granted. Sometimes you won’t even see it coming, and everything could be taken away from you.
For me, this happened my freshman year during basketball season. I had three stress fractures in my lower back; these stress fractures caused pain to shoot up my back and sometimes down my legs when I would bend or move my back in a certain way. I thought that it was just muscle, but as we were going to more doctors and getting their opinions, I knew I had to be wrong. When I learned that I had three stress fractures, I started crying immediately because I knew it would take a long time to recover and come back to basketball.
I started off with a physical therapist in Carmel, but that didn’t do much to help my back at all. So that’s when my parents and I decided to move to a new spot called Pro X at Grand Park in Westfield. When I first got there, I was very nervous but my trainer, Nick, was a very nice and supportive guy. He knew the thing I wanted most was to get back on the court, so he helped me every step of the way. The only thing I had to do was be honest if my back was hurting and do the exercises to the best of my ability.
Almost two months into my training while going two to three times a week, Nick informed me that I was able to play in a basketball game, and that was the happiest I had ever been. I did have only a certain amount of time that I could play, but it was the best news I had heard in a long time. If it wasn’t for all my doctors and therapists, I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am now with no back pain.
I think that basketball has helped me take steps toward my future in college, but it has also been sort of terrifying. I talked to many college coaches while playing AAU this past year, and while talking to them I have learned many things regarding not only basketball but also college. I knew that I wanted to go to college but I didn’t know how to approach it. That is why I am grateful for basketball because it has allowed me to take college visits and see what college life is about. I have been able to walk around campus, look at the dorms and apartments, and check out the facilities I would be using.
I am very happy and grateful for those opportunities because they have allowed me to decide and see what I do and do not like about college. It really helps me narrow down my decision, and I finally made my decision and decided to attend Ferris State University in Michigan. This college felt like home: it is a small college town and I like the athletic and academic features of the school.
I am very grateful for all the opportunities that basketball has brought me and am thankful for all of the people who have helped me along the way. Basketball has and will continue to be a big part of my life and I can’t wait to share it with others. Basketball doesn’t have to just be a sport you play for fun: you can take it to the next level and compete.
I am so happy for basketball to be in my life and help me make relationships, learn many life lessons, and help me shape my future.