Somewhere, some little girl needs to hear these two words: “THANK YOU”.

Thank you for putting in the time. Thank you for representing your community. Thanks for putting in all of the hard work throughout the years to put your team and yourself in a position to succeed.

You knew going in there weren’t guarantees that you would always win, but you did it anyway. You missed some sleepovers and pool parties that other kids went to. You couldn’t stay up all night playing video games or texting with friends because practice and long bus rides made you budget your time and get sleep when you found time.

Despite the extra rules of being a student athlete, you signed up and knew in the long run it would be worth it. You were tired and sore, but you still stood there and listened to the coach when he said, “on the line”. You encouraged your teammates, even though it was hard to catch your breath to get the words out. You took that picture with grandma, even though the last thing you wanted to do was smile. You learned that a bounce pass got through the “D” better than a lob, and you figured out with just a slight feel that right is right and left is into traffic.

You waited your turn, and sat the bench when it was best for the team, but you had the internal drive to focus so you’d be ready when the coach looked your way. You knew what that grin meant when your teammate looked at you across the floor, and if you had a dollar for every time you said, “you got this”, you’d be able to pay for college.

Some think the scratches, cuts, and bruises are ugly, but you wore them as a badge of honor. You never had to dive on the floor for an answer in history class, but if there was a loose ball, it was just instinct to “get dirty” and come up with it. Basketball isn’t a game to you, it’s a tactical and strategic operation, which if executed, it doesn’t guarantee success, but it gives you and your teammates an advantage and better odds.

People tell you to give 110% but you ignore them because you are someone without limits and yesterday’s 110 is tomorrow’s 120. When the ball is in the air, you don’t hope it’s going in, you know it because you feel it. You want to go to the line, you’re ready to take the last shot, but if your teammate is open, you trust her because she’s done the work too. It’s not just a game. It’s a way of life. Not everybody gets it, and that’s okay. You chose this life, and you wouldn’t change a thing. You’re an Indiana High School basketball Player. IYKYK

Thank you ladies! I’ve only known a handful of kids who have gone on to play in the pros. But I’ve known thousands who have used the lessons learned from “the game” and become very successful because they chose “hard.”

Thank you for putting yourself out there and for going through the grind. And regardless of if you won a state title or just played your last game, I admire you. You’re special. You didn’t have to do it, but years from now you’ll look back and be glad that you did.

Two words: “THANK YOU”