How Basketball Changed My Life

One of the activities that I took part in that I feel has shaped me as a person, was basketball. I joined the Sea Point High basketball team in the tenth grade, in South Africa. Now basketball was not very popular in South African high schools, as such we lost our coach in my junior year. The choices that were given to the team was to either end the program or to continue without a coach. As team captain I rallied my teammates and we persevered through without a coach; we showed up for intensive training and competed against other schools. At the end of my senior year I was presented with the basketball player of the year; however I feel that award did not necessarily celebrate my skill in the sport, but it acknowledged the determination and

Throughout my life, I have had experiences that have shaped the way I am today. Growing up my mom and dad were my biggest inspirations, and they still are now. I remember coming home from school to work on big projects, and they would suggest ideas instead of directly helping me with the project. It seemed so insignificant at the time; however, now I realize that they have helped me to think on my own. They have also taught me to put my best effort forth the first time I participate in something. I believe that I am more careful, thoughtful, and hardworking when I work on different projects because of this. Over the years, my parents have instilled strength and independence into my life, and have supported me through all the ups and downs. My parents are the ones to thank for the way I am today, a strong, independent, hardworking, and thoughtful young lady. Sports have also shaped my character, especially soccer. Soccer has been my thing ever since I was little. This year I finished my senior season and realized that all the years of joy had come to an end. With all the sadness that came from this, I was also brought to happiness because soccer had influenced my life in so many ways. Soccer involved communicating with my teammates. If I was not forced to talk out on the field, then I might be a more introverted person. Being more vocal, has led me to come out of my shell and talk with those around me in everyday conversation. Soccer involved loosing. No one likes to loose,

The day was October 8th, 2014. I hardly played. One school day, my 5th teacher, Ms. Smit said, “flyers for the basketball team on the table” ordinarily I took one. Kids from 4th, 5th, and 6th grade came to try out for the team. After tryouts, a paper next to the nurse's office was hung up. The paper sheet named those who had made the team. Surprisingly, I made the team, most likely from my height. I felt like I shouldn’t have made the team. At the time, I barely started to play basketball. I went to the practices at school and tried to make myself a little bit better, since a tournament was about to begin in a few weeks.

My entire life, I have lived and breathed basketball. When I was only three days old, I was being passed around in the stands of a basketball game while my parents coached my older sister. In first grade, I was begging my parents to let me play. I couldn’t, however, because in my town kids don’t start playing basketball until the third grade. They let me join an Upward basketball league that was near my area, but Upward wasn’t competitive enough for me. So the next year, I went a couple towns over to join their city league so I could play. From then on, basketball was my passion.

Athletics had not always been a flauntable aspect of my life as they are now. In grades 1-4, I was uncoordinated and far too lanky to produce and store any muscle. I often ponder about what changed in the fifth grade, for I became very agile and have exercised almost every day since the beginning of that year. I did not pick up the sport of swimming until the seventh grade and I cannot imagine myself not swimming, not only as a source of exercise but as a source of pure pleasure.

“Right guy, right time!” My dad blurts out, as I dig my left foot into the batter’s box. The count is now 2-2, a pitcher’s count, knowing that I need to be extremely cautious on the next pitch, because if I miss read the ball, I would let everyone down. By the time the pitcher starts his motion I couldn’t be more excited, but nervous at the same time. I’m able to quickly tell that the pitch was a fastball right down the pipe, I put everything I had into that swing, a rip the ball into deep right-center field. The ball takes one bounce and hits the fence. So I take off, like I was being chased by some lions in the African safari. I swing out wide, as my first base coach orders me to go two. As I approach second base I look to see where the ball

It was the ending of winter and the snow was vanishing. It kind of sucked because ski season was coming to an end. Although, that also meant that baseball season was right around the corner.

I woke up, and it was time to play baseball. Me and my Dad were getting ready to leave. I put my uniform on, grabbed my baseball bag, grabbed my cleats and left. We had to go to Fenton for the game. We stopped at the gas station, and got some snacks. We left and were on our way again. I checked my Instagram, and played games every now and then. I didn't know what position I was going to play, but I did know it was going to be catcher,pitcher, or 2nd base. It felt like the longest ride of my life, because I was ready to play baseball. We finally got to the baseball fields. We were walking trying to find what field I was playing at. I found my team (Dirt Dawgs) warming up. So I started warming up too. We still had a little bit before

Without some of the things created by people we wouldn't be alive today.The greatest invention is baseball.Baseball changed my life.Baseball is a sport many Americans play today.

In sports you often think about going pro, very few of us will in fact make it there.

Everyone needs a little help every now and again, whether they want to admit it or not. Some rely on God, while others rely on best-selling self help books or TED talks. The decision to join my high school’s tennis team was probably one of the best decisions I ever made, but I couldn’t have made it alone. One of my friends advised me to join when I was a sophomore in high school. I was having health problems and desperately needed a change. Tennis has positively changed my life, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without it.

When I first thought about signing up for basketball camp, all I could think about was improving my game. It was the summer of 2010, and I was going into sixth grade. Even though my friend and I were the two youngest kids going to the camp, we were eager learn new skills and compete with the older participants. But little did we know, basketball would not be the most important thing we took away from the camp. The experiences and memories happened in the next five days would change the rest of my life.

Me and my team were playing around with Coach Sharp and decided to race each other in basketball. It was a regular school day, practicing at 2 pm to prepare the team for a better season next year. The gym was blazing, full of sweaty girls, and we were enjoying ourselves because we had finished our last game. All of a sudden, practice ended and it felt like my energy was drained. My heart began to race fast and I couldn’t breathe. I thought to myself that this could not be good. I told my coach to come over and

Basketball has had a great impact on my development as a person. One experience I had through basketball was going to Boston for one of the biggest tournaments on the East Coast. Basketball has influenced my development because it develops character. Playing basketball at a high level gives you the mentality to work hard to get the results that you want. Hard work and dedication are the two biggest traits when playing basketball. My experiences training for basketball have influenced my development making me refuse settle for anything and always inspiring me to be successful.

It all started when I was in fifth grade. It all changed what inspired me came by whole big dream that I wanted to be successful at volleyball. First day of school my mom always makes something good for breakfast. I could hear the popping and crackling as mom dropped the bacon into the frying pan, and soon the salty, greasy smell wafted toward me. Going back to school was like going back to prison, the students walking around with an ugly morning face, and greeting everyone, as i walk into the teacher's room i see her drinking coffee with the smell getting stronger as i'm walking toward her. It was time to go to PE, and my coach got out a circular ball that I had never seen in my life. It was kinda colorful, it had some weird word written on it, but I couldn't see from where I was standing. My coach handed us each one of these balls, and coach called them