"Memories Last Forever, Experiences Happen ONCE."

58 Teams...

Numerous amount of games played in a season...

Numerous amount of hours put in during pre-season...

4 Teams come out with a new record of 0-0...

2 Teams are left standing...

1 Team comes out with what was on their mind since the first day of practice.

            Last year, around this time of year the boys were playing in the Final Four. As I sat their a text message came through to my phone. The boys were heading into their second overtime. The message, "how do the boys get so dang lucky." I sat their hesitating what to even reply. I didn't have an answer. Until, I final sent the truth "I don't know. But, I swear that is going to be us next year."
      For the past two nights and two days, I have been curled up in a little ball crying my heart out. I have cried with my sisters before we took our different routes after our game. I have cried with my mother hugging me through it all. It's not that I'm crying because we did not return with the gold ball. Although, that would of been a more happier ending to this incredible journey. It's the fact that I will no longer be hearing the laughs I'm used to, I will no longer be seeing the smiling faces, I will no longer have the same pranks, most of all I will no longer have my family by my side every summer and the five months of the school year.
      My emotions are up in a roller coaster. I know I'll be back on track simply because I know that life goes on. But, it's just so hard when I know for a fact that my house won't be a hotel anymore. That girls won't be staying the night. I loved and still do love this team with all my heart. They were the ones that got me through some rough patches in my life. Like Samantha said in hers. We used basketball as our get away. Basketball, has gotten me to a point where I forgave my parents ten years ago. Basketball, has taught me that when rough times come you got to keep pushing through because at the end of the day the sun will rise. Most of all, basketball was the one that took the word "hope" out of my vocabulary and brought endless "faith" in my world.
       Enough about that. I told the younger girls in the locker room Friday night that I could not find the right words to tell them. I told them if they want to know what was on my mind to read my blog where everything will be said as best as I can. Here goes nothing.
       THANK YOU! You made one of my dreams come true. Not only mine,but, also the six other seniors that spent numerous amount with your craziness. In the beginning of the season I felt so lost. You guys didn't know how bad I was. I always smiled every year during the season. But, in the beginning a smile wouldn't creep up on in my face. Simply, because I missed the other seniors and didn't want to be the leader. I didn't want you guys looking up to me. Because, I know I make mistakes as much as you guys. After time progressed everything started getting better. Attitudes were changing incredibly. Difference between you youngsters were going away. Most of all the laughter, smiles, and joyfulness was entering my heart again. You guys have came so far just as sophomores and I see a lot more talent in each and everyone of you than what we had. Thats what we Seniors had, we had work ethic to drive. Our work ethic and your help got us to where we ended a great season. Now, next year I want you to continue being close sisters, I want you to take the challenge to keep working hard, not complain when we have to run, to smile, to pick on Perkins keep him young, keep your head up when getting yelled at, and most of all have fun with one another time does fly. P.S. now it is time to find someone else who will wash your jersey's and clothes I'm going  miss being your teammate, sister, and most importantly your basketball mom.

  I know these individuals will strive even farther and believe even more. Next year, I'll be joining my other sisters from the past watching our little siblings going after the same thing we have all wished for. It's hard to explain. But, that is because my heart is bruised at this moment and it feels as if my videos can explain everything. It explains how close we actually are, how much work we put in, and how much time we spent together. Four years of Holbrook High School is now over. I will miss every single one of those wonderful individuals and most of all I will miss the fatherly figure we have on the team. Mr. Greg Perkins. Who is my "it is what it is" neighbor. I will truly miss this man as well as the rest of the team. Like Sam said he has sacrifice so much for us. He deserved to go to Glendale with us and most likely he will end up bringing something marvelous to Holbrook High some day. No words can describe how much he actually means to us. I guess before I write a whole novel I'll leave it to this. Kia Kaha. Keep everything going and I'm glad I didn't get a gold ball because the memories and experience are more rewarding to me than anything!