Jill Marler
Mrs. Whitsell
English Composition I
30 August 2012
Mrs. Whitsell
English Composition I
30 August 2012
On the Sidelines at the State Championship Basketball Game
Today is the day! It’s March 10, 2012, and I’m preparing for what will take place. This opportunity was once doubted by many while the cheer squad and I had faith in the senior high boys’ basketball team. Discussing how well the season was going in the fall of 2011, Houston Cooper said to me, “This is my last year of high school basketball, if we could win the state championship, I’d be content to never set foot in a gym again. But I don‘t think that will happen.” We defeated numerous teams and became conference, district, and regional champs; those victories led to this day. In the previous week, we traveled seven hours to cheer the boys on in the state tournament. A large amount of praying, then praising, went up as we advanced through each round. I have devoted my year to encouraging our teams, and I felt each win meant as much to me as it did to the players.
The road to this game is important, but this is the game that will never be forgotten. It is Saturday, March 10, and a large percentage of Mammoth Spring’s population is traveling at least three hours to cheer on their Bears in the Class 1A State Finals in Hot Springs, Arkansas! As we arrive at the convention center to a full parking lot, everything feels surreal. The anticipation and anxiety is building as the game prior to ours is coming to a close. Fans in blue are everywhere and the boys run out to begin warming up. Our student section is full of spirit and equipped with crazy attire and megaphones. The radio station reporters line the court as they discuss the starting lineup of both teams. We stretch and carry our pom-poms to the sidelines before we prayed that we would give God the glory no matter what the outcome was.
The warm-up clock ran down as one of the biggest game’s these boys would ever play was about to begin. I observed our crowd as I bit my nail, wondering if the Sacred Heart Rebels knew who they were up against. The buzzer goes off and we begin the “Jump, Garrett, Jump!” chant with the student section. This game is bursting with energy and both teams want to take the lead. When the first time-out is called, we get the crowd pumped up. I must say, my voice was not properly prepared for the consistent yelling it’s doing today. Everything is going well when half-time rolls around, and the boys get a break. We grab our pom-poms and head to the court for the most observed routine we will perform. Looking at the crowd of thousands was more than overwhelming; and though we weren’t the main attraction, it was nice to get their attention for 60 seconds!
After our small break, we’re back to stomping and encouraging our boys. This game is close, and in the last few minutes remaining we are tied! Sacred Heart has the ball, and with only seconds on the clock, Houston intercepts the ball and heads down the court for a lay-up! He scores to secure the win! The Mammoth Spring Senior High Boys’ Basketball team has won the first ever 1A State Champion Title for our school! The crowd is roaring, everyone is hugging, and “We Are the Champions” plays on the speakers. This feeling is like none other, the boys I’ve cheered on for the past four years have finally received a trophy they well-deserved.
Houston doubted this would happen, but boy, was he wrong! The theory that hard work and determination pays off has now been proven. I felt like a part of this accomplishment, and it taught me to never take a moment for granted. I will relive these blissful moments forever, and many of them are brought back with photos. I was on the sideline through every bad call, and I’m known for my ridiculous outbursts when something good happens on the court. Each game I have cheered mean so much to me, but the few hours spent at the state finals game will always mean the world to me!
The warm-up clock ran down as one of the biggest game’s these boys would ever play was about to begin. I observed our crowd as I bit my nail, wondering if the Sacred Heart Rebels knew who they were up against. The buzzer goes off and we begin the “Jump, Garrett, Jump!” chant with the student section. This game is bursting with energy and both teams want to take the lead. When the first time-out is called, we get the crowd pumped up. I must say, my voice was not properly prepared for the consistent yelling it’s doing today. Everything is going well when half-time rolls around, and the boys get a break. We grab our pom-poms and head to the court for the most observed routine we will perform. Looking at the crowd of thousands was more than overwhelming; and though we weren’t the main attraction, it was nice to get their attention for 60 seconds!
After our small break, we’re back to stomping and encouraging our boys. This game is close, and in the last few minutes remaining we are tied! Sacred Heart has the ball, and with only seconds on the clock, Houston intercepts the ball and heads down the court for a lay-up! He scores to secure the win! The Mammoth Spring Senior High Boys’ Basketball team has won the first ever 1A State Champion Title for our school! The crowd is roaring, everyone is hugging, and “We Are the Champions” plays on the speakers. This feeling is like none other, the boys I’ve cheered on for the past four years have finally received a trophy they well-deserved.
Houston doubted this would happen, but boy, was he wrong! The theory that hard work and determination pays off has now been proven. I felt like a part of this accomplishment, and it taught me to never take a moment for granted. I will relive these blissful moments forever, and many of them are brought back with photos. I was on the sideline through every bad call, and I’m known for my ridiculous outbursts when something good happens on the court. Each game I have cheered mean so much to me, but the few hours spent at the state finals game will always mean the world to me!
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