Now the nerves kicked in as we awaited the arrival of the opponent. They were , Tall, Built bigger than us. Everyone's heart sank it looked like we were playing the varsity highschool team and not the 8th grade team. The quarterfinal of the 40 team tournament game was about to begin. 4 different states in this tournament and we were in the top 8. This game was huge but our opponent was bigger.The game was battle throughout the first three quarters with tough defense being played and a rough physical game. Now there were 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter and we were tied up.“Leave it all out there, every thing you have” those were the words of our coach as we walked out of the huddle onto the court.“Leave it all out there, every thing you have” those were the words of our coach as we walked out of the huddle onto the court..

Now there were 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter and we were tied up. Coach called my name and told me to stick with man, he explained what we had had to do but now we were walking onto the court, you could here the court squeak as the shoes rubbed against it. So many things were going through my head right now, I had not have been having a good game until this point. I knew one mistake could make our team or break our team and send us home. The other team inbounded the ball with a strategy to waste clock time. The point guard got the ball and just kept dribbling. I was guarding the shooting guard the clock ticked and ticked and ticked now we were down to 1 minute so our coach decided to apply pressure we took 2 guys and put them on the ball hoping to apply pressure. They were smart and used it to there advantage pass after pass after pass still wasting clock. 20 seconds now they needed to score and then there point guard broke free and attacked the hoop but the was a foul. 10 seconds left in the game and the ref called a foul everyone's heart sank. Our arms went over our head as they sank and we were breathless. 10 seconds left and we thought it was all over everything that we worked for. The kid at the foul line for the other team made one foul shot and we were losing. Everyone thought it was over. Our coach set up a play on the sideline. My job was to pass the ball in. I passed the ball in scared of a turnover that would kill us. I passed the ball in and our best playing took it and dribbled the play was designed so that he scored off of a pick.7 seconds the pick came to his man he dribbled but was then triple teamed, 5 seconds he passed the ball to me hoping I would make it. I received the ball in shock I was not supposed to get the ball. Sweat ran down my neck as I got the ball I felt the leather laces as I lined them up with my hand as I had always been taught.3 seconds left I heard my coach scream shoot it so I did 2,1 swish antttttttttttt. The ball went in as the buzzer sounded I was still shaking the crowd was on their feet screaming and my teammates had rushed the court , we had won the game.

Now we would move onto the semifinals. That day I learned one the most valuable lessons ever, It’s not how you start it’s how you finish. That moment was probably the best moment of my life and it happened 6 months ago. Now whenever I start something not well I always remember not to give up and that it's not how you start its how you finish.