by Emily Bryant
Being a dual sport athlete, basketball has always been the first sport that I play during the school year, and I love everything about the game! With great teammates and coaches, I had already decided this was going to be a special year. As a Senior, it was my job to be a leader. Although I didn’t lead the team in scoring the most points, getting the most steals, or other individual stats, I lead by attitude, by actions, by positivity. By the time the middle of the season came along though, I didn’t think I was fulfilling my role as a leader. I was slowing up and down the court, I couldn’t keep up with everyone else, and I just thought I wasn’t doing anything good for the team. I was so aggravated, and I put myself down so much because of it. After a couple of doctor visits and some bloodwork, the test revealed that I had played through Mono. So that’s why I was looking so lackadaisical on the court. What an awful end to my basketball career! To say the least, I wasn’t satisfied with myself nor the effort I gave throughout the last half of the season. For redemption, I kept thinking, “I will always have softball! I will always have softball!” So the day after my very last basketball game, I didn’t hesitate to jump right into softball and start getting in the groove of things. To homer on my first at bat in a scrimmage game was a great start to my Senior year of softball, but then March 16th came along…. Throughout the newly instated Dead Period, I kept trying to maintain a positive attitude that we’d get our season back. I kept thinking, “There is no way we can’t play this year: That’s Impossible!” The impossible then became possible. And sadly we no longer had a season. It was gone with no hope of another District and Region crown. No hope of playing once again in the State. Now all I’m left with is this unsatisfied feeling of not leaving it all on the field. I had goals for my team that were never fulfilled in my last season of high school softball. This definitely wasn’t the way I wanted to end my senior year! I never even got the chance to say goodbye in person to my teammates and coaches who have been my second family for the last 7-years. Without a doubt, we’ve all had to adjust to a lot of changes. Having a drive thru Senior night was better than nothing, but it still hurt. I would be lying if I said that it didn’t break my heart and that I haven’t cried, but I know that all things happen for a reason. Although I have so many unanswered questions and so many thoughts I can’t wrap my mind around, I can’t dwell on them. I know God has greater things in store for myself and all of the Spring athletes. You can’t let it hold you back, you just have to keep moving forward.
Emily Bryant finished her varsity career at Central Hardin as one of the top home run hitters in the Region and will continue playing softball in college.
