February: "My Last Knight"

February 28^th was a day full of emotion and anticipation,

State game against Park Ridge was our obligation.

Could this be my last high school basketball game ever?

At that moment in time I couldn’t imagine leaving the court forever…

My heart was racing and the butterflies in my stomach were in full effect.

The pregame warm up was such a blur, but Coach’s speech made me reflect.

“Times like these are what athletes like us live for.

All we have to do tonight is leave it all out on the floor.”

Carly tipped the ball off to me and the battle began.

Everything was falling into place.

Our defense was tight and our offense was just right.

Basketball is a team sport,

So any selfish attitudes must be abort.

That became our biggest downfall in this game.

I don’t mean to point fingers, but there’s only one person to blame.

Aggravation gave me the temptation.

I told my coach if we wanted to reach success,

This issue needed to be addressed.

As promised, coach became her toughest.

Although it still didn’t change this player’s judgment,

And her selfish ways left us with discouragement,

My four other teammates played with heart, not a hard task.

That’s all a senior, playing her last game, could ask.

The game did not end as planned.

As tears fell down my face, memories as a Lady Knight flashed threw my head.

But I knew I had to stand tall, I played my heart out

Even though it was the last time I would touch the ball.