Throughout my athletic career, I have rarely paid attention to the schedule of who my team plays during the season. I mean I have an idea of how many games there are in total, but mostly, I focus only on that current week’s opponent or opponents. This week I made the mistake of looking at the whole ’16-’17 schedule and counted only 11 games left for the season. This realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

I only have 11 games left of my athletic career with a school-affiliated team.

My teammates can tell you that it’s about all I’ve talked about during this week in the locker room, training room, and on the court before and after practices. Where did the time go? I remember the day I first began playing this sport like it was yesterday. All the work, time and effort I’ve put into this game for the last 17 years, and I’m about to begin the final stretch. Basketball is one of the things I cannot imagine my life without. I know I’ll still be able to go out and shoot whenever I feel like it or play a pick up game with my other retired basketball friends, but it won’t be the same.

For me, this game is the last piece of my childhood that I get to hang on to. It gave me my first set of friends that shared the same love and passion for something that I did. It was the first thing that let me feel like a part of something bigger than myself. It’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I really can’t remember life before basketball and it’s not something that I want to be over.

There’s no better feeling than putting that school uniform on with the 14 other girls you spend week after week competing and hustling against just to show another school that you worked harder. Adrenaline pumps through your body in the huddle before a big game, and butterflies dance in your stomach only to feel all the nerves disappear at tip off.

Through this sport, I have found a second home. The endless support from my teammates is something I’m not sure I’ll find easily anywhere else. They’ve seen me at my worst and at my best and I know will be there for me whatever the obstacle is as I for them.

So as I tie up my laces and put my jersey over my head for the last 11 games of my basketball career, I’ll remember all the memories, all the pain, tears, blood, and sweat that came along with this journey.

Drops mic. Door slam.