College Admissions Essay: My Greatest Coach

The entire crowd was absolutely silent. The eyes of every spectator were fastened on me as I looked towards the ground in shame. Why did I take the shot? Why didn’t I just pass the ball and let someone else feel this regret? Why, was the only question I kept wanting myself to answer, but was also the question I kept trying to forget. I could hear my fellow teammates talking like I were a hologram not good enough to even exist in their presence. I awaited my coach to release all the anger he had felt during my biggest mistake. Then, finally after what felt like an eternity, coach walked in. He had the same shame that I felt, the shame of defeat.
I worked so hard every day so that when I tried out for the team I knew that I was giving it my all. I had sacrificed so much time and taken advantage of every opportunity that was given to me. I was the youngest athlete that was trying out for the team so I had to prove to myself and others that I was worthy of their respect. I showed up to tryouts before anyone else, because I needed a spot on this team. When coach arrived he instantly made everyone run full court then wanted transition, ball, and dribbling drills. By the middle of the tryouts I could tell he was monitoring me very closely. He then made everyone run rebounding and
shooting drills. Then it was time for him to announce who didn’t make the team. I was nervous, and I could hear my heart beating in my ears. I don’t know if it was because of how hard the tryout was or if it was because of how nervous I was. But those nerves subsided when I found out I was a starter on the team. My coach was proud with how the season was going.
My team and I were dominating each game with ease. I was confident and I felt as if i were invincible. This is the feeling that I worked so diligently for, the feeling of victory, the feeling of success. The team had went into the finals and this is where the true colors of the team had come out. The first finals game was a hard earned victory, we barely made it out. Second final game we couldn't hold on anymore, we lost, and all the hard work was all down into the drain. One wrong move, one mistake, A simple missed shot. I felt as if I wasn't able to be on this team so I had resigned; I had given up, and was disappointed in
myself.
I had spoken to a coach for a team I used to play for and the coach wanted me to be a starter on the team. The coach had seen my big game that had my biggest mistake of all time and still he accepted me. Coach had told me,“no matter what happens we're all in this as a team so whatever happens it’s all of us against them, we have to work together and improve so a mistake from the past won't appear again”, I then suddenly felt relieved of all of the stresses I had felt. A couple weeks later coach had introduced me to my new team, and I immediately felt as If I belonged, as if this team were my second family. Everyone was so happy that I was on the team and wanted me to gladly lead the practices. Whenever I made a mistake they quickly accepted it and then explained to me how I could do better next time. My new team and I gladly worked with each other and this time in my life made me the confident basketball player I am today.