Gage Grassick was one of four Crusaders to reach out and talk about how they fell in love with basketball. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D'Andrea

Love and Basketball

For the love of the game; Part two

Mar 18, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Instead of reading another sports cancellation or pause, here is a refreshing breath of fresh air as the For the love of the game series continues. Part two of the series today features the Carlton Crusaders senior basketball team, who was on their way to qualifying for their third straight Hoopla 5A Girls appearance.

Four members of the Crusaders were nice enough to share their thoughts on how the fell in love with the game of basketball.

Aimee Valmont, Grade 11

“During my first year of playing basketball, I broke my foot fighting for a rebound. I remember sitting on the bench at the next tournament upset about not being able to play. I made a list of everything that I wanted to improve on when my foot healed. I studied game highlights of Kia Nurse because I looked up to her for her hard work and her values. Once my foot healed, every day I looked at my list and worked on improving my game. I remember sitting at the kitchen table, and my mom asked me why I was eating with my left hand, which was unusual for me. I told her that I wanted to improve my left-hand dribbling, so if I did everyday tasks with my left hand, eventually everything would become easier for me. When I said that, that’s when it really hit me that I loved basketball. I was like, ‘I’m really eating with the wrong hand for basketball?’ When you love something, it becomes part of your everyday life and it becomes part of you as an individual. The list that I made was the turning point for me where basketball was no longer a hobby, but a part of my lifestyle.”

Gage Grassick, Grade 12

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“The common question athletes get asked is why do you love playing sports? You put your body and mental state through such compromising pains; But, why? Working towards something which towards the end could just simply be gone in a blink of an eye. But as athletes we don’t think about the endpoint being the defining finish. But something to continually push ourselves to work towards. We play sports for the love of competition, purpose, releasing stress, make friends, which generates a positive outlet from the real world. We love our sports because we are able to leave our emotional and life problems “outside the door” for simply an hour and focus entirely on something we are solely passionate about. We push ourselves sometimes until we are sick, devote our life, and train every day to get just a little bit better. And, the love for the game grows a little bit more. We are intrinsically motivated to reach for higher goals, not for the cheering crowds or medal ceremonies. Students reach for good grades. Workers reach for better jobs and higher wages. Motivated athletes strive to better themselves in their sport. When asked the question when did you fall in love with your sport, there is no simple answer. But, when you find passion in your sport, which you constantly work towards, no matter the outcome, then you know you have fallen in love.

Katie Hawkes, Grade 9

“The first time I truly fell I love with basketball was this year with my senior team. I’ve done all kinds of camps, workouts, been on many teams, met many new friends, had great coaches, experience big games, and learned many lessons but that’s not what made me fall in love. What made me fall in love with it was the family that developed, the memories made, and the feeling of being a part of something big! These girls truly made my first year of high school basketball one to remember! They found a way to make everything fun and serious when needed, they made me feel at home and like I was at the same skill level. I love all my teammates, but the coaches really made it special! They put in so much time to ensure that I had a great season and learned lots. They didn’t make us feel bad about ourselves or our playing, they were one of the girls and loved everyone as if we we’re their own! The forever family I made is what made me fall in love!”

Cadence Crain, Grade 9

“I think that I first fell in love with basketball was when my dad and I used to watch it on TV and I always wanted to play. When I got into Grade 5, I started playing on the Grade 8 team. The girls were huge. I remember being number 8 because my mom was that number when she was a kid. In Grade 5 I think it was, I started watching the senior team. I had seen Gage [Grassick], Taryn [Izsak], and Alex [Soyko] all make it as a Grade 9. They were the inspiration that caused me to try and be like them. I started training and playing on club teams. Then this year, I realized this is what I really want to do. I want to make it to University Basketball. I can say this, those three girls that made it in Grade 9 were the reason why I fell in love with the sport. I always wanted to be just like them and here I was! This year, playing on a team with my three idols was the best and I can’t wait to see where this sport brings me in the future!”

On Friday, Part 3 of the ‘For the love of the game’ series will be released. It will be how I fell in love with sports and why I decided to pursue a career specifically so I could use my sports nerdiness to good use. It’s going to be a sappy and silly adventure.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW