A student’s perspective on his final year of high school sports

by Taylor Locke
Senior at SACS
    The end of a high school sports career is something that every high school seniors must deal with. For myself, sports has always been a part of my life and I have enjoyed every minute of it. I am now approaching the end of my high school career which gives me time to reflect upon it.
    I have come to realize that perhaps the most important thing to remember after I exit high school sports is not accomplishments on the field but the things a person takes with him long after the games are over. Sure, I will always remember what it was like to have the chance to play on the auditorium floor, or what it was like to win a playoff game in front of the home crowd. Those things are special to me, but I feel other things are important too.
    The people I have played with and against will always stay with me. Especially my teammates. After being involved in sports for four years I have played with a number of people, some being very talented. There is something to be said for the bond a team forms over a long season. Knowing that the guys next to you are fighting for the same thing you are and trying to achieve a win is unprecedented. During a sports season you see your teammates almost as much as your family, in some cases bonds become very deep. Relationships with others can be memorable as well, particularly with a coach. To be able to walk into a coach’s office and talk about the team, the game last night, or just talk in general is a very underrated thing. I have had the chance to do this and it can help both the coach and the player in many ways.
    Along with the people you meet during a high school sports career there are also the places you go. The gyms, fields, towns and for many the infamous stop at McDonalds on the way home, these will be remembered as well.
    Although we are only in the middle of the high school sports season mine ended some time ago. I suffered a knee injury in open gym which has kept me from finishing out the winter sports season. However that is beside the point. I have learned something that I hope my peers will learn after this year is over. I have learned that once your sports career is over it is important to move on. At first I dwelled on the fact that I was done with basketball but I found other things to occupy my time. Yet I have seen many people in the past and present who haven’t. Reliving the old glory days can never live up to the memories and past experiences. That is why it is important to find other things to hold your interests. Remembering the victories, defeats and accomplishments is a very important thing. Taking those memories and moving on to the real world may be even more important.