“I’m a coach for a youth basketball team. I feel fulfilled because I used to be a player on that team. Now that I’m a coach, [so] it’s like a full circle moment. 

I coached last summer, [but] I don’t think we won a game that season. I was still learning. I didn’t have a lot of skills, but I was still having fun. I got a lot of knowledge and more experience with what to do [when playing on the varsity Bellaire basketball team]. I learned from [Coach] Glover. I saw what we did at practice, and I mimicked the practices we had, all the warm ups, the drills and the plays. I [taught] those kids what I was learning at the same time.

The next season we went undefeated. 

Winning the championship [is] my fondest memory [from coaching]. [I learned] leadership and responsibility because the way you coach, what you teach your players, how strict you are [and] how much you put into the team dictates how the season goes. Rather than just playing around and having fun all the time, having a mix of work and play is a good balance.

Making varsity [was my biggest accomplishment in basketball this year]. I would say [my favorite memory is] chilling with the boys in the locker room. Just having fun, shooting around, playing scrimmages. Those are the best times. [I learned about my] role because I may not have the biggest impact, but knowing what [I] can do best and helping [my team in] the way [I] can — that’s the meaning of community.”