Have you ever walked through your school hallways and seen those posters? The ones that say,  “Don’t give up!” or “Keep practicing!” Almost everyone ignores those, but little does everybody know, these lessons are extremely significant in life. How do you prove to other people that you should be respected, that you’re good at something and should be valued? If you continually query this, you’re not alone. For many individuals, answers to these questions come from experience.  My occurrence was quite challenging but brought the essence of these lessons back to light.

I aligned the ball to the highlights of the rim. With a flick of a wrist, the ball elevated into the air.

Flawlessly, it fell right through the basketball net. 

I staggered as the piercing buzzer from the clock alerted everyone that the tournament was about to begin. I heaved a ponderous sigh. Gazing zealously at the hoops, I marveled at the stars of the team. Better tone down on the focus; I’m like a mouse in front of them, I deducted. Austerely trudging toward the bench, I pondered, What if...What if one day, I could finally prove that I’m a worthy teammate? That I’m not just some substitute player? My attention returned to the colossal candidates who sauntered before me. Blenching back in fear, I realized that any smart coach would choose them rather than someone like me. 

I apprehensively hobbled toward the Jump Ball. Standing on the side, I held my hands in front of a player from the other team. This is it, I pictured, grab the ball and pass it to someone else. The referee flung the ball into the air, and, for a moment, the ball was a delectable golden sweet, making everyone’s eyes sparkle with yearning expressions. With an uproarious slap, the basketball sailed to our offensive side. 

Without reluctance, I sprinted towards the ball as I was the closest. I glimpsed back and forth, but everyone else was far behind. Should I shoot? What if I miss? Maybe it’s better to secure the point by passing the ball...I dithered. 

Abruptly, something struck me. For once, maybe I have a chance to score. It would be wasteful to lose this opportunity.  Glancing back at my teammates, I knew that things would go wrong if I passed it way back there. So, I nervously crouched into position. Please go in…please... Legs buckling, pressure building, I rocketed my arms, and the ball silently whooshed through the net. Gasping and puffing, I stood, flabbergasted that the audience cheered and whooped for me.  The glaring stares were mopped away from their faces and instead replaced with merriment. Even though this was only my first shot, the positivity fueled me like a tank engine. 

I got ready to defend. I quailed when I realized I was a diminutive ant compared to the gargantuan elephant I was up against. The other girl sneered when she saw who was defending her. But, for some reason, she didn’t seem all that tough anymore. 

A flashback projected in my mind. I remembered when I was eight, and I saw a women’s basketball game. My favorite player was number 16, one of the shortest and smallest players on the team. She would jump so high above people’s heads and score shots from incredibly long distances.

Suddenly, I apprehended something.

Maybe I don’t have to be big, or tall. But I have something they don’t...I’m smart. Exhilaration cascaded through my veins. This was my chance. A crisp new feeling washed over me. Determination. A sense of purpose ricocheted through my body. 

Focus lasered through my eyes, and I locked my target. A girl from the other team confidently dribbled the ball towards us. She then gave a keen glance to the player behind me. They’re making a pass! I predicted. I promptly crouched down and started amassing my strength. These girls were huge, so the ball would plausibly soar way over my head. As soon as the ball left her hand, I was up. Visions of a trampoline painted my mind as I sprang as vigorously as I could. I was a piece of metal, and the ball was a magnet as the ball came right into my trusting arms. I captured the ball like I was catching a present. Less than a moment later, I was off. Pounding and darting, my legs were like an engine, propelling me forward.

The plan in my brain began to illustrate itself. Go past her and immediately secure the point,  I chanted through my consciousness. Adrenaline seared through me. Dribbling and weaving, I briskly scissored through the other team as if they were chess pieces. Each step got easier and easier as I started to reach the light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, parents from the other team started to mislead me by barking and beckoning enormous posters. Seething, I felt like stabbing their vexatious presence. It’s okay...EYES ON THE PRIZE! With a quivery breath, I deftly clutched my hands on the sweaty ball and aligned my angle. Gathering all the energy from my bent legs, I ascended the basketball towards the hoop.

Initially, the ball jounced and swirled on the rim. The ball and net were dancing together, almost as if they were on top of a cliff. Please! You have to go in or else this will all be for nothing! I screamed through my mind. Lips clenching, hands shuddering, I felt terror permeate within me. Belatedly, the ball fell over and stumbled into the net. I breathed the most contented exhalation ever. Negativity swept away from me as a grin leisurely radiated across my face. Thank you.

Halftime passed by quicker than I could’ve ever envisioned. I scored three more shots and ten rebounds.  This will all be worth it when people appreciate my efforts! I bounded up to my coach with joviality.

“You know,” he began, “You seem to have much more potential than I thought.” I wanted to squeal because I was no longer the bizarre girl that probably shouldn’t be playing basketball. No, I was one of the most esteemed players on the team.

You could tell from my sweaty hands and dubious actions that at the beginning of the game, many negative thoughts were running through my mind. But with a little positive momentum and strong will, I thrusted those thoughts aside and shone through. Everybody has a talent or a unique trait that helps them sparkle through the rest. The key is to know when to harness it. The first step to getting others to respect you is to respect yourself. That means not beating yourself up by how you’re different, but embracing your uniqueness and using it to be the best that you can be. In short, everyone is built for success, and even though it takes time and patience to nurture your talent, the outcome of doing this will undeniably astonish you.

-Nethra