My first passion in this life was the game of basketball.
I was 6 years old and my mom asked if I wanted to sign up and play, and I said no. I had no interest. Then she took me with her to my brother's first practice and I watched so intently, at the end of it I asked if I could play. So she signed me up late, I joined the rec team and learned how to dribble, pass and shoot, and I never looked back.
I played for 15 years. I went from rec teams, to travel rec teams, to the school teams and AAU.. summer league, fall league.. it was my entire life. I loved being on a team. I loved meeting the girls (most of them anyways).. I got to travel on the weekends with my family and spend the days hot and sticky in the gym, playing game after game and eating Subway for lunches while listening to Sox games in the parking lot. High school team was a blast.. I loved the away trips on the bus.. Pasta dinners and time spent with 20 girls who, for those four months, felt like sisters I never had.
But to play the game was what I loved the most. Weighing 100lbs, I fluttered across the court like a butterfly, mostly on my toes.. speeding past everyone, lay up after layup.. You couldn't catch me. I worked best outside the key, on the 3pt line, waiting until someone dished out the ball to me from inside and swish.. in it went. I wasn't the best at defense, and I couldn't handle the ball in the best way to play point guard, but I always found my place on the floor, and I loved it.
A month ago my friend and old teammate Chelsea asked me to do a tray of cake pops for her sister's high school graduation. Her sister was an outstanding player for Ellington, and even wore my old number, 23. I was thrilled to do it, and it really took me back to my playing days.
Basketballs with purple and gold Knight pride..
I owe my passion and drive to the game of basketball. Every coach that pushed me, every player that helped make me better by shoving me to the ground, and to my parents for pushing me through on the days when I felt like giving up. Basketball taught me patience, how to set goals and work towards them, how to do things with passion, how to be aggressive, and how to work with people as a team. I owe the game so much.
This fall I am Captaining a women’s league team in a local league, and I literally shriek with excitement whenever I talk about it. It’s like a child on their way to Disney World – I AM SO EXCITED to get back on that court.. but instead of a tiny young girl, I’ll be a more confident, toned woman.. with over 20 years of experience and an eagerness to feel the rush of scoring a basket again.
-Elena
