I loved playing basketball.

I had a starting position on my high school team.

My eleventh-grade year we were ranked number 1 in the state going into the district tournament.

The buzzer rang to start game one of the district tournament. It was Monday and if we won, we would play in the district championship on Friday.

Deep into the 3^rd quarter I jumped up for a rebound and was knocked down by the opposing team.  My head hit the ground first with a loud bang.

We won the game, but I unfortunately obtained a minor concussion.

Advised by my doctor, I sat in the dark the majority of Tuesday and Wednesday.

Thursday, I went to practice, but struggled to run up and down the court.

I was cleared to play in the game Friday. My head was healing fine, but I wasn’t 100%. Regardless, I was determined to help my team win the district championship.

The bright gym lights hurt my head and I had to wear earplugs to muffle the loud music playing during warmups, but I was going to play in that game. No matter what.

The game started, but I did not. My coach benched me the first quarter. I watched the fans go crazy cheering for their teams.

Down by two at the start of the second quarter, my coach put me in the game.