I still remember the first time I joined my first basketball practice at SLAS. I was sixth grade and had little to no idea about the sport. The only reason I joined was probably hoping that by playing basketball I could grow a bit taller (yes, by this time I know that it is a pseudoscience) and there is nothing wrong with some extra exercise. By learning from both my coaches and teammates, I got to know more about the sport. As a golfer growing up, I was not familiar playing team sports like basketball. Although not getting plenty of time playing on court during games, every aspect of the sport felt interesting. For example, warming up as a team in synchrony, cheering for the players on the court, celebrating together for a win, and mourning together for a lost.

Due to COVID, it was unfortunate that the basketball program halted for a while. I didn’t have chance to participate in 8^th and 9^th grade. The next time I joined was in 10^th grade. With Mr. McBroom as our coach, I learned many useful skills, such as how to play low-post, how to box-out for rebounds, and how to run and break a full court press. Although I wasn’t one of the starting five, it was a very fecund and precious season for me, where I enjoyed the sport.

Having overwhelming academic workload in 11^th grade prevented me to participate in the team for that year. Finally, having less school work in senior year, I didn’t lose my last chance of reuniting with my team. This year, I was one of the starting five and an important piece of puzzle for our team. With high-efficiency on rebounds and defense, I almost played full in every game. With Mr. Corey as our coach, I learned more on how to play as a team and efficiently move the ball around during offense. We ended our season in the place of 7th out of a total of 18 schools. Throughout the season, I saw substantial personal growth in everyone, including myself. For me, it was a wonderful and unforgettable period of time: every game we played, every laugh we had, and every sweat we dropped. As one of the seniors that will graduate this year, I can’t wait to see the performances of the remaining players in the upcoming years. Go Wildcats! – Wills

My name is Sangmin Han, and I have played basketball for 4 years in SLAS. Over the past four years, basketball has been an integral part of my life, providing unforgettable experiences. From the exhilarating moments on the court to the bonds forged with teammates, my journey as a basketball player has been nothing short of remarkable. As a proud member of our school’s basketball team, I’ve had the privilege of not only representing our institution but also serving as its captain this year. This role has taught me invaluable lessons in leadership, teamwork, and perseverance. None of this would have been possible without the guidance and support of our coach, Mr. Corey, whose dedication and mentorship have been instrumental in my growth both as an athlete and as a person. I also want to thank my friend Wills, Konrad, Bruno, Apollo, and Dustin for being supportive teammates. I am immensely grateful for the opportunities, challenges, and memories that basketball has bestowed upon me, and I look forward to carrying its spirit with me in all my future endeavors, if my ankle would allow.