By Isha M., Grade 9
“Most importantly, Sinead and I motivated the team by giving them pep-talks where we would change their thinking,” Keira B, said. “We made sure their mindset was positive and that everyone was mentally ready to step on that court”
But how has the basketball experience impacted the girls’ lives individually? I decided to interview 1 of the girls, Keira B., a co-captain of the team, to see how the basketball experience affected her life.
Keira’s Journey
Keira is the co-captain of the team along with Sinead H. and has had a passion for basketball since the age of 4. Keira has been playing for the MIS basketball team since Grade 5 and, over the years, she’s not only developed new basketball skills but learnt to perfect those skills.
“When I was younger, I used to be a competitive swimmer and what I struggled the most with was getting too into my head,” Keira B. said. “With swimming I was left alone with my thoughts, and this is what would limit me, but with basketball you can’t really think too much. You have to know what’s going on around you and you have to be aware.” “It’s a great escape and a great way to meet new people”
As well as learning basketball skills, she has also developed more social skills that have benefited her for future, life-long interactions. The biggest skill that she has taken away from the basketball experience is building trust with others and clear communication. They built trust within their team through many team exercises, which helped them bond with new people and teach them how to cooperate with everyone.
“Your team becomes like your family, no matter who they are, no matter if you like them or not, and of course families have ups and downs together, but these girls go through everything with you,” Keira B. said. “They watch you develop as a player; they go on trips with you and it’s just a different connection which I think everyone should experience.”
Advice Keira learnt along the way!
The best advice she was given by her coach was, ‘You can’t win a game in the first quarter, but you can lose it’.
“It’s a little confusing but what the coach meant was, if your down in the first quarter because you were maybe not focused or at your fullest potential, this makes it harder for you to come back,” Keira B. said., “You’re demotivated and intimidated by the other team, which isn’t fair because you’re letting them have some power of you.” “But if you go in with the mindset that you are ready to play and you are going to win this quarter, this will help you win and stay ahead.” “If you start strong, you finish strong.”
Another quote of advice given by the coach was ‘Basketball is a mental game.’
“Yes, you shoot, yes, you dribble, yes, it’s physical, but it’s when you’re tired, you have to make that extra step, you must push yourself,” Keira B. said.
For training, the most important advice Keira was given was, ‘Train like you’re in a game, train to your fullest potential’
“I struggle with that, I train like a training, but It’s important to make that extra step in training like you’re in a game,” Keira B. said.
This is crucial for the game, she said, as when you step onto the court, you’ll feel ready for a game because all your training has led you to this.
“You need to push yourself as hard as you can,” Keira said.
Kiera’s Leadership
Keira says that her leadership skills have definitely advanced being a co-leader and she has learnt so many skills through this. One of the skills was learning about all the players and understanding them better.
“Being a co-captain helped me with seeing what people responded to, “Keira B. said. “I tried to make sure I didn’t hurt or offend anyone with what I said.”
But she couldn’t have done it without her co-captain Sinead H.
“Sinead led all of the warm-ups, cool downs and stretching,” Keira said. “She made sure everyone was properly warmed up so we could push ourselves on the court and play our best.”
An achievement Keira is most proud of is receiving MVP, but she wouldn’t have received without all her other teammates.
“They all helped me get to where I am now, and I wouldn’t have been able to get MVP without them”- Keira.
One thing Kiera made sure to look out for when being a leader was the mental strategy behind basketball.
“I would observe the game and tell my teammates what to watch out for and who they should keep their eye on,” Keira B. said
This helped her get a better understanding of how the other team plays and she would tell the team what to look out for.
But a thing she was very careful on when being a co-leader, was making sure she wasn’t controlling the team, instead, reminding them what they could do when playing.
“I never told anyone what to do I just reminded them or motivated them in pushing themselves, I made sure I was respectful.” Keira B. said.