I remember the first quarter so well. I played horrible that quarter which I couldn’t understand coming off an outstanding performance from the season opener where I recorded a school record for the amount of tackles by a single player in one game. I couldn’t understand why I was having such a bad first quarter. Was it because of the mixed emotions and excitement for this big game? Was it because I was thinking too much because it was on live TV?
Now I play very competitively with 12 of my great friends that I have come to know very well and love like family. We protect each other, teach each other, and make each other better at the sport every time we play. Even strangers can help you progress just by giving you even the slightest little clue to how to play or fix a problem you have been having. Almost all of the knowledge and skill that I have gained was told to me, bit-by-bit, by random paintballers that felt the need to help. Every year, there are multiple events played in many different leagues all across the world NPPL, PSP, Millennium...
They did not have too many players, but at the time Doug looked like he was seven feet tall. When we finally played them we were pretty worried because Drew was our biggest player and was short compared to Doug. We started off the game pretty solid and scored the first couple points, but by halftime we were down at least 30 points. People in the stands were not into the game at all and kids who were waiting for the next game left the gym. Mr. Johnson took Doug out for the third quarter, and by some stroke of luck everyone on our team caught fire.
Images were racing wild through my mind as I thought about my teammates going to battle without me. I had played with some of these guys since we were in eighth grade, and when they needed me the most, all I could do is sit and cheer. I hated the feeling of helplessness, but at the same time I knew I had to do what little I could do, well. It was two days until the first game of my junior year in high school football season. My team and I were going to play St. Rita, a battle we had persistently prepared for since the last game of our sophmore year.
I was finally put into the game with minutes to go, the red jerseys were down by two. I was content on the bleachers but anxious to get out on the court; I didn’t want to make a fool of myself. Nonetheless, I joined the Red jerseys, determined to help them win. Within seconds I had intercepted a pass and started to sprint down the court dribbling with ease. I could hear my teammates screaming and yelling.
Young and unsure, my mom took me to sign up for football. When I saw the coach, I was intimidated and began to second guess my decision to play. I then saw a friend from school also signing up, then a second and third. As my friends filed in, we grouped together, and my excitement grew. I began to feel more comfortable knowing, I wasn’t the only one that was nervous.
It’s just like that with a jump shot. Chapter Six 6. Visualize the ball going in the net and making that swish sound. Always
We open up for Old Say brook high school the score was 45-0 and yes we were the winners. The whole season was just about that; Hyde the winners and the opponents the losers. We made it all the way to be the number one seed in the class s state playoffs. We went through the whole regular season undefeated, but that last game which was the first playoff game we lost not because they were better but because we were not focused on the task at hand. To be honest I do not take losing easy but when it was all over I have to say this was a character builder it tells me to stay focused and when on a team I need to pull my teammates a long with
But, for those who are still looking, they’re in a war. They make the worst mistakes, trying to cut off the opponent. The thing that messes things up. Themselves. These teens - the soldiers - never know which direction to go, fearing it’ll be a trap.
Here I was, thinking I could join and just win a bunch of medals. I would just run fast, no even caring about how my teammates did in the race. I thanked coach Belo for taking the time to explain the sport and what he expected from me. He said it was no trouble, and that I joined cross country. And now here I am, two years later.