The Day Of The Big Game

About three weeks ago, the Packer Varsity baseball team beat Berkeley Carroll school for the first time in twelve years and in glorious fashion. Tears streamed down my face as our winning run crossed the plate in extra innings, dust flying up as my teammates and I mobbed each other at the plate. Yet a few short days later, our team was blindsided by the news that St. Ann’s had pulled off back to back upsets to squeak their way into the playoffs ahead of us - just as our season seemed to be looking up, it was over.

“Hurry up, guys,” I yelled to my sister and mother. “Y’all are going to make me late!” It was October 4th, the night of the homecoming football game. The game started in fifteen minutes and we hadn’t even left the house yet. The frustration I had toward them kept growing inside me until I decided to leave without them and make them drive separately. I jumped in my car and quickly headed to the game despite the pouring rain. Certain rash decisions that are made throughout life can never be forgotten because they make such a huge impact in our lives. Sometimes something that seems horrible at first, may benefit you in the long run of life. The decision I made that night, turned out to be the one that I will remember forever.

While other students were out celebrating the first week of summer, the New Albany Girls Lacrosse team was practicing for one of the biggest moments in their lives. They were preparing to compete in the Division II Lacrosse State Championship Game on June 1st. The team had one week to ensure they knew their plays, calls and were general ready for one of the toughest games of the year. Among this team there were twenty-five girls, and within this group of girls there were only two goalies. These two goalies, Kathleen Schell and Grace Anthony, had to hold the team together. Kathleen was talking to Grace before the end of practice and told her “I am really nervous, because I don’t know who coach is going to throw out there first. Also, what if

The next game was early in the morning against region 3 who is known to have some of the best players around nut after the end of the 2nd period we were tied 3-3. “Lets rush the the nat and try to score”, Matt our top scorer said. “No, let's just stay in our own zone and just play defence and not then them score. after we see a weakness we just rush ahead and attack!” said Joe, another player on the team. I didn’t think much of Joe and I voted for Matt’s idea. I shouldn't have. The nest period we got swept off our feet the the south in the dust bowl. We lost

It was a brisk fall evening, and my seventh grade youth football team and I had traveled to Aberdeen to play the undefeated Chiefs. We had worked harder and longer than we ever had that week to show that we were a threat in the league and ascend from our third place ranking. We knew it was not going to be easy; the Chiefs’ team had the fastest running back in our division, and they had scored more total points per game than any other team in the Southeast Idaho Youth Football League. The field was neater and greener than we had expected in this town. It was a great day for football, and I was with all of my best friends. I knew going in that it was going to be a learning experience whether we won or lost that night because the Chiefs were

It is the first round of the Basketball State playoffs, and with eight seconds left, the talented Northwest team is down by three. The star point guard speed dribbles up the court, the tension on and off the court is immense, the pressure is even greater. Everyone during and prior to this game, had witnessed a season full of promise, and the consensus conclusion for most recognized this team as the best team to have ever come out Northwest High School. This was our best and likely only chance for success. So as the point guard puts the ball up, time nearly stops, it has a chance, but in like in life, the game of basketball is unforgiving, he misses. As most made their pre-conceived predictions of the future, or lack thereof, a young sophomore and his Junior Varsity teammates, we were inspired by our elders walking off the court, and the doubters going home. Bonded together, and we believed we were destine for something historical, and mythological outside our small circle. Thus two years later the 2016 Northwest Varsity Basketball team, the discourse community, where I developed relationships with the people I still call my brothers. A community which has shaped my work ethic, and has given me the knowledge of the amount of effort and work it takes to be successful. All of which was in efforts for a goal not even pronounced among our teammates, to us the future was still a mystery, only realized to us a one

Since Sam was a little girl, she had a passion for soccer and dreamed of becoming a professional one day. For Samantha, Saturday was not just a regular day, it was game day and Sam was so excited, as usual. She jumped out of her car and ran on to the field as she would usually do. She talked with her friends, warmed up, and was preparing herself for the game. Little did she know, this game was going to be much different than any other

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.

It was June 11th, 2015 and the softball team was headed to Radford for the state tournament. The nerves of everyone was running wild as we all sat on the bus listening to music in our headphones. While everyone sat in silence I could see the on everyone’s face that they were trying to strategize, including myself, on how we are going to win these last two games. The previous year the softball team won the state title. This created a high bar for this team to reach. As we sat on the bus we started talking to each other about how we can remain calm and drive ourselves to do the best that we possibly can. Coach Gaines reminded us, “play every play and at bat like it is the last time you will ever play softball”. As I hear these words echoing over

All of the hard work culminated in our last game of the season, the division title was on the line. With fifty-six seconds left in the game, we earned a corner kick. A perfect ball spiraled toward the six-yard box. Time slowed to a crawl as I felt my body leap into the air. Reaction, muscle memory and instinct took over. My teammates erupted when the ball whizzed off my head and landed in the back of the net. The clock buzzed seconds later and we all ran together to celebrate our win. I was elated we had won the game, but more importantly, I felt satisfied, and not just because of the goal.

The opposition scored the first goal and we were slightly disheartened. But then Joshua McNack from our team aided in the score of an own goal on the Culver’s team’s part, and our side of the field erupted in celebration. In the second half the Culver’s were determined to score more goals and shot many shots on target, but unfortunately for them none of them were successful, thanks to our amazing goalie Braxton. Although the game turned out to be a tie, it was a really close game and there were some very good goal shot attempts. After the game, we interviewed the scorer of our goals, Joshua McNack. We asked him what he felt like when he thought that he missed the goal, but ended up scoring, and he responded “I wasn’t satisfied, but i was glad

The Hornets felt like Flanagan had to be in an easy seed. The Hornets had played to the 4th quarter and decided to put the second string in. The Hornets came out with a win 46- 31. The Hornets were 3rd in state. The Hornets were so happy they all went out on the court and started jumping. They boys had gotten a trophy and medals. Matt was the point leader in that game with having his threes spot on. Matt was in tears winning that game and having his team come all this way. The boys were heading home with a fire truck and cop flashing lights and making noise at 8;30 at night on a Saturday. The Hornets were in the newspaper from their victory and effort. The Hornets were on a float in the parade and got cheered on by everyone they went by. After all the effects from winning state everyone was sad that it’s over, but they knew they could attack state next year. Matt was a huge part of the team. He was an excellent shooter and defender. He was a great captain to the team and also the best focused person to the game. The Hornets had done an excellent job making this far in basketball and everyone was proud of them. Matt was happy with the outcome, but ready to do more next year. State

The other team, the Cougars, scored the first touchdown plus a field goal. We all were deflated, but in the second quarter our spirits were lifted when we scored our second touchdown of the game. It was 14-10 at half. Now, it was third quarter, and we were on the 14 yard line. It was second down. “Set 42… settttttt… HUTT!” shouted Mitch. I took off. I was supposed to do a slant, but instead I sprinted straight forward. I knew the guy guarding me was not as fast as I was; most people weren’t. So I told Mitch to pass to me no matter what, and he didn’t argue. Before I knew it, I was in the endzone. Finally, I did my slant. I cut across the endzone, while watching Mitch. He saw that I was open. Then the ball was in the air, spiraling towards me. I caught it. Now we were up 21-10. We were on our way to clutching the championship

There was now 10 points in it and his face was the colour of the footy oval. There was still 20 minutes to go, anything was possible. As the score grew closer so did the number of injuries they had. Their key forward pulled a hammy and a rookie was there to replace him. Although they were ahead, this was still not what they needed. The clock kept ticking and the tension was growing. 30 seconds left and the points were level neck, no one expected this come back from Melbourne. The Crows fans started fleeing the door but my Benny wasn’t going anywhere, at least without his end of the bet. We couldn’t believe our eyes, as the final siren went , Melbourne had a free kick right outside the fifty mark. My stomach turned as the ball approached the center of the goals. There was a sudden silence in the pub as all eyes were glued to the TV screen. Right through the center, it was a goal. The taste of our victory was as sweet as a fluffy unicorn. I looked at Bennys face and its like I could feel his stomach sink to the floor. He’d lost the

I cannot imagine my life without the whoosh of air flooding through the bars of my helmet as I glide across the ice. With each stride, I grow faster, stronger, and smarter. Hockey has occupied a crucial part of my personality for over two-thirds of my existence. I have grown up with my teammates, and we only improve as we continue playing together. A game during this year’s season defines how hockey has inspired me to become a leader. The score was one-to-one halfway through the third period. Hannah, our team’s newest member, flashed a nervous smile towards me as we skated over to our respective positions in our team’s end. I played right defence while she played right wing. We had to trust and support each other. During the faceoff, the centre