A basketball game is a lot like life. We are inevitably faced with uncertainties on the court. We often can’t predict what will happen and what the end result will be. The thing is that we should always try our best, enjoy the highs and lows of the game, and learn something from it. During this year’s basketball season there was a single game - a city championship game - that together with our team’s coach taught me a valuable life lesson.

It was during a winter cold spell in Beijing, and the chilly weather outside contrasted with the overheated atmosphere inside the school gym. There would be a final for the International Schools Athletic Conference (ISAC) basketball tournament in a few minutes. My school’s team - the Dragons of Jingshan School - would square off against our crosstown rivals, the Tigers of Lake Academy. We meet Lake Academy almost every year on the city sports stage in the finals or semi-finals. They are our fiercest and oldest rivals. So, whenever we meet, both squads leave everything out on the floor. As[1]  the referee's two-minute whistle sounded, a fired up Coach H gave us all a last inspirational shoutout: “This is our home court, let's get this damned win!” It was as if there was a fire burning in the hearts of our starting five, ready to explode on the court at any time. Of course, we weren’t alone in our inflamed passions. Our opponents’ eyes were full of the will to fight. The fans grew quiet, and a loud whistle blew, signaling the beginning of a hard-fought battle ahead. Because of our great height advantage at center, we got possession right away through the jump ball and spread out the attack. Both teams played to their strengths in the first two quarters of the game. We bombarded their basket like some kind of positional warfare with clear tactical execution. The Tigers used fast breaks to score through their physical strength and strong running and jumping ability. After half time, the score was 40-37, Dragons on top by the thin margin.

After the start of the third quarter, the Tigers suddenly changed their defensive strategy from man-to-man to a 2-3 zone defense. This made me miserable. As a power forward, an interior defense like that wraps around me like a straitjacket. Also, the zone limited our height advantage in the paint. In a matter of minutes, Western Academy quickly gained ground and led by 6, a swing of 9 points. Just then, on an offensive play, I got the ball inside. The two defenders assigned to the inside zone quickly double-teamed me, their hands slapping me like a paddle wheel. But there was no response from the referee, and eventually one of the defenders grabbed the ball from my hands.  Furious, I turned to the refs and unleashed a volley of swear words. The first referee blew his whitle, pointed my way, made a quick "T" sign with his hands. I had been called for technical foul that would give two free foul shots to the Tigers. “White Team 21, personal technical foul!” the ref barked to the scorer’s table. I realized I was in trouble. One more technical foul and I would be ejected. At the same time, Coach H called me off the floor.

He ushered me unceremoniously to the hallway just outside the gym. "I don't care what you do with the ball on the court, what you did is the worst decision you've made all season,’’ the coach said in his most serious tones. “You have to remember, it’s not only a physical competition on the court, but also psychological. If you let them get into your mind, you’re bound to lose. But if you keep your cool, chances are you'll come out the winner.’’

Before leading us back into the gym, he finished with a final lesson - “Learning to control your emotions is the most important part of being a player both on the court and in life. Let’s get you back out there on the court, but be smart, ok? I trust you, now let’s go!”

The coach’s impassioned speech touched me deeply; and I returned with renewed commitment.

Back on the court, I became strangely calm. When I got double-teamed, I quickly dishedthe ball to an open teammate. I turned and sprinted into the lane to prepare for the rebound. When I encountered mismatches, I took advantage of them and worked against the smaller player one-on-one. When I got a pass in the open, I didn’t hesitate to take a shot. When the final whistle blew, we had won the championship decisively, finishing with an 8-point lead.

The championship game featured lots of roller coaster-like ups and downs. It was a profound basketball experience, capping off an unforgettable championship journey. At the same time, the game and Coach H delivered an important life lesson to me: When  facing adversity, we should respond with inner strength and calm rather than lashing out. That way, we’ll already be halfway home to conquering our plight and moving in the right direction.