Maturing So Much and So Fast

There's music blasting in my ears, one of my best friends sitting next to me, two annoying little kids sitting behind us kicking our chairs, and a laptop sitting on my lap in the car ride up to the Dells for our last basketball tournament before the State tournament. Each and every year all of the girls Pewaukee select basketball teams go up to Wisconsin Dells for a basketball tournament against teams from all over the place, and every year the memories grow and we become closer as a team.

Mount Olympus is the hotel that we have stayed at the last three years. I wouldn't say that it was my favorite place to go, and same with my team; it's rather boring. But this year is going to be different. We are staying at the Wilderness, which may possibly be the biggest hotel in the city with the biggest water parks, and the wildest arcade. With a team of eight crazy, energetic eighth grade girls running around the place, what could be better? As this being our last year together, we need to make the most out of this weekend in the best ways possible.

It seems like we are all maturing so much, and so quickly. I remember back in fifth grade when all of our team could barely dribble the ball, and our shooting form was absolutely horrendous. Now, we fly around the court acting like professionals and showing up all of the teams that dare to stand up against us. Not only have we progressed as players, but also as a team. There are so many great accomplishments that we have had throughout the years, and in high school its going to seem so different. We won't have the experiences like we did in elementary and middle school basketball, and the playing style will be so much different.

Next year when it comes time for tryouts, our team is going to be split up. Some on freshmen, some on junior varsity, and possibly even one or two on varsity as freshmen. The teams won't be the same, because the eight of us will be split up after all we've been through, and its probable that new friendships will be made and some hearts will be broken. Another thing that will really be different is the fact that we will be coached by a different person, other than the one that we have grown close to since fifth grade. All of these things will bring harder challenges than we've ever had to face before.

So now as I am writing this piece, all I can think about is how psyched I am to get together with everyone and make some new memories. High school seems so far away, yet it's so close, and we must be prepared for what lies ahead. Take in what you can while you have the time, and don't take anything for granted. Make the best out of the little things, because sometimes the little things are what make the big differences in the future.