.
What has been one take
away you have learned thus far in the Month of April as it relates to playing
AAU basketball?
(My
response will be in reference to the leagues played in American Samoa in the
months of March and April 2019 as AAU basketball is not available in American
Samoa)
The
basic formula for success in the game of basketball can be applied to any
success I seek in life. Willingness to
learn, hard work, discipline, endurance, being a team player and enjoying every
moment. I recognized that embracing
growth of challenges especially during the heat of the game instead of allowing
myself to be frustrated has helped me to grow as a person and as a player.
Being a leader is important, especially in the
Game of Basketball. Which means it is crucial for players to take
responsibility. Despite my frustration with the referees, teammates, myself, or
the opposing team, I have learned that the best way to overcome these
challenges is to love the Game. Enjoying every second from playing, to sitting
and observing on the bench, to training, comforts me, because it is a healthy
way to play and learn.
What would you change
if you could replay the season?
I
would change the way I initially approached the season as it was my first time
trying out for our high school Varsity basketball team and my first experience
playing in the men’s league. Instead of
approaching it as trying to prove that I deserved to be selected on the team, I
should have approached it as someone eager to contribute and learn. This focus delayed my ability to assimilate
into a different coaching style to be able to play as a team member instead of
an individual trying to prove something and made my experience much more
enjoyable. Fortunately, I had a good
coach that helped me see this barrier that was inhibiting my skills before the
actual season started.
How did you stay
motivated after losing a game?
Staying motivated
after losing a game is sometimes easy and definitely not the best feeling. I stay motivated by focusing on what I can
improve for the next game. I also
approach this from the onset of the game by putting my best effort in any game. This helps me to feel content after loosing a
game knowing I did my job and must accept the outcome. Then I look to the next game or next season
and focus on winning in the classroom.
How do you channel
your frustration when the referee’s decision doesn’t go your way?
I am not going to lie;
this is a hard one for me and sometimes it feels like the referee has something
against me. Obviously, there is nothing
I can do about this in a game besides, keep playing and doing my best and leave
the referee to my coach. I also do what
my mother always says, “kill them with kindness”. I find that if the referee finds that I am
not challenging every call they continue to call it and seem to shift their
focus on the person who is challenging every call. While I know at times I did not foul,
focusing on a bad call will only affect my mental game so I just focus on the
next play and scoring.
Do you have any
rituals that you must perform before a game and why?
My main ritual is
reflecting on the gifts God has blessed me with such as the ability to play,
the privilege to be part of the team I play for, my family and their support,
my coaches, teammates, and supporters, then I say a prayer asking the Lord to
help me to apply what I have learned, and to keep me and my team safe. I then like to just have a quiet moment for
about five minutes to focus my mind on the game. I then turn to my coach for instructions,
team prayers, then the regular warm up.
11.
What is the worst
practice you ever endured?
Our first Practice for
our high school basketball 2019 season was by far the worst practice I have
ever been to. While all my teammates were trying to make a good first
impression, I was trying to make a statement. I was not a team player and it
showed and affected the practice and the moods of the others who were trying
out. I lacked the right attitude and it
resulted in the worse practice I ever endured.
Practice seemed long and basketball was not fun that day. I quickly learned that what caused the negative
outcome and experience of my worst practice was something I had control
over.
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