Nike Tournament Of Champions Research Paper

I walked off the floor with sweat dripping from my hair. So many thoughts flew through my head that I couldn’t focus on anything. My junior year of basketball felt like it ended as quickly as a blink. It was as if in seconds we went from the stars of the state tournament to the embarrassments of it. I tried to forget the disappointment of it but it still will not leave. My desire and love to win games comes from the more apparent hatred of losing them. Junior year we had a chance to win a state championship, but we lost that chance. That was when I realized that I had one chance left to win. Senior year our basketball success would only be as rewarding as we would make it. The pressure placed on ourselves was substantial, and we faced trials on the road to success. In the end, we stood alone, crowned as the champions, not letting our chance slip away.

We walked together to the field, the spikes on the bottom of my cleats clicking with each step on the parking lot pavement. A huge field with onlookers filling the bleachers on the far side came into view, lit up by the soft evening light. I spotted the girls on my team and my tired looking grey-haired coach. Me and my dad split up, me going to warm up with my team and my dad going to sit with the team parents. As I was passing with my teammates I watched the opposing team carefully. I observed how neat their drills were and how accurate their shots and passes were. They all looked so athletic and that really made me doubt myself. How was I supposed to prove to everyone that I was a good player if I had to play against a team this good? What if I mess up and the other team completely destroys my team? The loud buzzer that ended the warm ups sounded and both teams went to their side of the field. My coach called today’s starters out, and luckily he didn’t choose me. Relieved, I went to go sit on one of the hard metal chairs they provided for the teams on the sidelines. The chairs were uncomfortable but that didn’t bother me. I had other things on my mind. I sat shivering watching the events of the game

I have never felt more nervous than in the locker room before my region game in Pierre to advance to the state tournament. My teammates and I were gathered in the locker room before the game like we usually are, but this was different. The feeling of knowing that this was our last chance of going to the state tournament and playing for a championship was on the line. I remember it was so quite. I had headphones on, and so many thoughts were traveling my mind. The music blasting in my ears was a blur and all I could hear was my own heart beating. Coach Gardner entered the room and had the coaching staff with him preparing to give his pregame speech. After he relieved some of our stress and nerves, we were ready. We broke down the huddle and jogged down the dark hall to the court. I will never forget walking onto the court hearing the screeching cheers and seeing the sea of purple on one side of the court and red on the other.

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.

I attended all training sessions and spent a great amount of time playing basketball since the thrill of winning games, of becoming better pushes me forward. I believed my efforts are worthy, since I had the advantage over other players in speed and keen awareness, and I trained harder than others every day. Basketball was the only thing on my mind. Then the time came to assemble the official school team to participate in formal basketball games. I thought for all my efforts

The game was about to start, walking onto the court, warming up and getting ready for tip-off, I had a huge amount of confidence before hand. The game had begun, although, as the game went on, I wasn’t doing as well as I would have liked. It seemed like I couldn’t hit a shot, neither could the entire team.Throughout the game, we were always down, we never lead at any

It’s the Monday after the opening weekend of the NCAA tournament. What have we learned?

Even the air was trembling. The gym was filled with a mixture of nervous and urgent, and all we need was another basket to break the deadlock. The score was 19-36, nearly 2 minutes left, however, the unstoppable cheering was still there, as well as our spirits. None of the girls on the court gave up, though we were not close to winning; every one of our eyes were blazed sharp and focusing, waiting for another steal or chance to shoot. In brief, before the timer buzzed, we would never give up on our game---which is the most valuable spirit in CCA sports. Our girls basketball game has the power of inspiration, because though they didn’t win, they supported each other with encouragement when difficulties come. All they do is to turn the failures

My stomach twisted at the thought of losing when we pulled into the McDougal High School’s parking lot. I ran into the building where our coach taught us the new positions until it was time to play. The ref blew the whistle and threw the ball into the air. I jumped up with my feet dangling off the ground and slapped the ball out of its orbit and ran down the court. I could feel my heart beating, I lurched to a screaming halt at the three point line and pushed the ball towards the basket. I shut my eyes hoping it would make it. I heard the ball drop to the ground and the crowd that was erupting with cheers, I opened my eyes and saw my teammates smiling. “That’s a girl!” my coach hollered as I ran towards the sideline and sat down on the bench. We ended up winning by 2 points after two overtime periods.

I see my buddy Tom, and I run up to him. He looks at me and smiles, we both knew that we would be at this camp and we were excited. I look at Tom and he doesn’t look nervous at all. They blow the whistle, and tell us it’s time for the showcase game, a game where all the coaches look at your skills on the court. Not just playing but also leadership skills, and your ability not to get frustrated

After joining the team, my natural instincts to compete took over and I battled everyday to get a spot in the playing lineup. Although joining the team as a junior, I quickly earned my teammates respect by being prepared for and persevering through difficult practice sessions. I played matches against my teammates every day in order to move into the team’s playing lineup, meaning a top six spot. My relentless effort and infectious enthusiasm at practice led to my place in the doubles lineup with Julian Lenz, one of the top ten players in college. I had to adapt quickly, getting stronger and adding more spin to my strokes in order to compete with Julian against some of the best players in the nation. In order for us to be a successful team, I had to match Julian’s mental focus and desire to win. Through spending time together on and off the court we were able to build a strong relationship that would propel us to an exceptional season. Julian and I were able to win key matches in the Big 12 tournament because we grew to trust one another in high-pressure situations. Ultimately, my success as a student-athlete was a result of my tenacity to succeed and ability to adapt to new circumstances.

Running into the gym with my team, knowing it was my last middle school basketball game, but first championship game I felt elated and truly blessed. My knees quivered with anticipation after seeing all the bleachers filled with people. After realizing even the press and other media was in attendance I grasped the moment like a newly elected president at his inauguration. I am warming up doing basketball drills, when I began to look at the flags on the gym wall depicting the history of the basketball team. The years and dates of the last championship game, Historically a championship game had not been won since 2007 . The more I stared at the flags, the more it made me want to win this game and make history in this gym. As the crowd and cheerleaders start to chant, cheer and get loud, I started to feel more comfortable and rowdy more than I had ever felt in any other game that I’ve played. Waiting for the referee to blow the whistle for jumpall to start. I felt my fingertips tapping the side of my leg, which for some reason gives me a sign to myself that I am pumped up and ready to play!

In 2002, Nike embarked a vision to make the company an Employer of Choice in a five year time frame. The company strongly believe that diversity would nurture positive impact to its business model which Nike Inc. reported in 2005 diversity have articulated a consistent, four pronged business caseviii for diversity includes: A. B. C. D. Diversity drives recruitment of the most dynamic people. Diversity enriches the creativity and innovation that shapes the brand. Diversity grows competitive advantage. Diversity heightens the stature and belief in the brand

Crunch. It’s the first sound I hear as my girls and I walk onto the field. The mist is coming off the ground almost sprinting down the field as we will be in just 2 hours. The white lines picture perfect down to both bright white goal posts. Careful not to step on the field yet, I make my way to the bench. This National semi final championship game was the most important game of my life. I take out my Nike Mercurial pink and black high top cleats I've had since I was fifteen. It felt like any other ordinary game. Well, that is until the other team shows up and the butterflies start to kick in. Some girls stand at 6’ 1”. I feel smaller than the point of a fine needle. This is just a bigger stage to any other game, I think to myself. Here it is, the National Championship semi final, the moment my team and I dreamed of since before I can remember. This was the game we have prepared for months for. The blood, bruises, sweat and tears were for this one single game. The next 2 hours fly. We took the field to warm up. Running, stretching, passing and shooting,our usual warm-up drills. I'm starting, so I make sure my touch is on point. Seven hundred, eight hundred, nine hundred touches later. People start to trickle into the stands one by one until it’s almost full. College coaches pour in the stadium lining the entire sideline. My dad comes over to the side line to give me a gatorade, water and a good luck kiss. The television staff shows up to set up their cameras. My family

One rainy night in November, I arrived to the church gym for my first basketball practice of the season. As I walked in the doors creaked and you could smell the gym floor. As I already heard the basketballs hitting the ground, bouncing up and down. My friends Brittany and Destiny walked in right behind me through the door. That was when we realized we were the only girls surrounded by all guys. As practice came to a start we began to run, it felt like we were never going to stop. Up and down the court as we ran suicides, you could hear the squeaking of shoes as we went from the next line back and then on to the next. Before we started scrimmaging, the two captains were boys. Brittany, Destiny, and I stood in amazement as we were the last three standing there. You could see by their expressions they didn’t want any of us on either team.