The Bears Will Never Die | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

The Bears Will Never Die

Nostalgia for high school basketball

Andi Norman
Sep 07, 2016
Dartmouth College
20
The Bears Will Never Die
Central Ohio Photo

Rewind to three years ago.

Because I miss high school basketball.

I do not have words to describe my senior season. Looking back on it, it was still one of the best times of my life. Every single day, I got to lace up with some of my favorite people and win and win and win again. I got to win championships with them. I got to cut down nets with them. And I would not trade that final season for anything. I went into that season loving basketball. Absolutely loving it. And I came out of it with my heart so deeply rooted in the game that there was, and still isn’t, any turning back.

My four years of high school basketball were a bit of a whirlwind - a roller coaster to say the least. My first three years were an up and down, trying to find a footing in the league. After coming out with a league title my freshmen year and hitting a rut in my sophomore and junior seasons, I could not have asked for a better senior season; twenty regular season wins, an OCC championship, district champions and posting a final record of 24-2.

Let me tell you about my team. These kids could make me laugh harder than anyone. We were a bunch of clowns that loved to crack jokes and tease each other. That winter, my team did everything together. We ate most meals together, we practiced together. We even went to Disney World together. After every game, we had a team meal then went to a house and goofed around for hours. There was not much sadness in my senior season, but instead lots of celebration. It seemed like every night, we had something to celebrate. We celebrated each other. We had the time of our lives playing for and with each other.

Now my juniors and sophomores are in college and my little freshmen are seniors, and I feel really old because three years ago, we ate DaVinci's every other day and opened letters from our buddies on game-day. Our traditions, while some persist, will forever live in our locker room, and boy, do I miss locker #13, in between my best friend and my point guard. I miss dancing around the locker room to Jay-Z and eating firecracker popsicles after practice on Saturday mornings. And I certainly miss my team, but this I know: whatever happens, we are family.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

11 Things Summer Nannies Can Relate To

There are plenty of obstacles that come when taking care of kids, but it's a very rewarding experience.

University of Wisconsin Branch Schools
269
11 Things Summer Nannies Can Relate To

As a college student, being a nanny over the summer is both enjoyable and challenging. Underneath the seemingly perfect trips to the pool or countless hours spent playing Monopoly are the obstacles that only nannies will understand. Trading in your valuable summer vacation in return for three months spent with a few children less than half your age may seem unappealing, but so many moments make it rewarding. For my fellow summer nannies out there, I know you can relate.

Keep Reading...Show less
Swoon

To The Girl Who Falls Too Fast, Never Be Ashamed Of How Hard You Love

Love hard, every day, and never be ashamed.

2855
girl

If it hurts now, it'll hurt again. Not because you're gullible or naive, only because you fall fast, hard, and you do it every time.

We fall each and every time with the complete and utter confidence that someone will be there to catch us. Now that person we SWORE we were never going to fall for has our hearts, and every time we see them our palms start sweating. The butterflies in our stomach start to soar and our hearts are entirely too close to bursting out of our chests.

Keep Reading...Show less
single life
Lifestyle

10 Things Only Equestrians Understand

Yes, it IS a sport. Yes, I fall all the time. No, I do not ride in jeans with a cowgirl hat on.

Florida State University
728
horses
Barn Pros

Growing up I have always wanted to own a horse. My grandparents own a well known equestrian facility in Georgia, so I have been riding since I was born. A bond between a person and their horse is a bond so strong that it cannot be broken. Everywhere I went I wanted to be around horses, even forcing my family to go on trail rides during vacations. Horses have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember has taught me great responsibility, as well as 14 things that all equestrians can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
equestrian
Health and Wellness

To The Burnt-Out College Student, Keep Going

When you're struggling to keep afloat, keep going.

West Chester University
762
man wearing white top using MacBook
Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

College is super hard. Between working, studying, and having a social life, it feels like a struggle to just keep afloat.

I understand. When you feel like your drowning and there's no way to stay afloat I understand that it feels like everyone else is doing just fine. I understand all the frustration, long nights in the library, and that feeling that you want to just throw in the towel. I understand that sometimes it's too hard to get out of bed because your brain is already filled with too much information to remember. I understand because I am also feeling pretty burnt out.

Keep Reading...Show less
burnout
Health and Wellness

No Matter How Challenging School Gets, You Have To Put Your Health First — A Degree Won't Mean Anything If You're Dead

Panicking and pulling all-nighters will not allow you to get an A.

The State University of New York at Stony Brook
676
No Matter How Challenging School Gets, You Have To Put Your Health First — A Degree Won't Mean Anything If You're Dead
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Some of the best advice I've ever received was from my social studies teacher in sophomore year of high school. He stated, "If you don't know it at midnight, you're not going to know it for the 8 a.m. exam, so get some sleep."

It's such a simple piece of advice, but it holds so much accuracy and it's something that the majority of college students need to hear and listen to. "All-nighters" are a commonality on college campuses in order to cram in studying for an exam that is typically the next day.

Keep Reading...Show less
college

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments