Listen Now: Morning News

The real winners at the state high school basketball tournament

There was a river of tears at the Charleston Civic Center the last two weeks during the annual girls and boys high school basketball tournaments.

Winning players and coaches cried tears of joy, while losing players and coaches could not hide their disappointment.  Cheerleaders, school students, parents and fans were swept up in the passion.

Possibly even a hardened sports reporter or two became a little emotional at times.

But that is what happens at the basketball tournament. Every year, without fail, the drama and emotion of what is arguably the premier sporting event in West Virginia is almost too much to bear.

But that’s okay.  The emotions are real and raw.  Winners cry because they are overcome by a sense of accomplishment and, yes, relief. All the hard work has paid off. For a West Virginia high school basketball player there is no greater goal than winning the state tournament.

Their horizons are dotted with new challenges but for the moment, at least, they are on top of the mountain. Lessons they have learned about drive and dedication will serve them well going forward.

The losers–and that is too harsh a term—are devastated because they came so close. When you’re used to winning, coming up short feels unnatural and particularly painful. For the moment, their world is turned inside out.

But this is a valuable life lesson as well. Try as you might, sometimes you fail to reach your goal. Only then can you realize that the journey itself has merit, even if you fall short of the destination.

The state high school basketball tournaments also reinforce a strong sense of community. After the game the phrase most often heard from the fans greeting their team, win or lose was, “We’re proud of you.”

That pride is uplifting. It reinforces our belief in the qualities necessary for success—hard work, sacrifice, dedication, discipline, team work. These tearful fans don’t criticize the team for falling a little short; they lift up the disappointed players by appreciating their effort.

For these and other reasons, the West Virginia boys and girls high school basketball tournaments are about more than the outcome of the games; they are affairs of the heart.  The games remind us of what it means to be real and in touch with our true selves.

So congratulations to all those players, coaches and fans that spilled their emotions on the court, in the locker room and in the stands at the Charleston Civic Center over the last two weeks.

You won!

 

 





More Hoppy's Commentary

Commentary
Third party and independent presidential candidates rarely get traction in West Virginia
March 28, 2024 - 12:10 am
Commentary
Let's talk about the officiating in the WVU-Iowa game
March 27, 2024 - 12:47 am
Commentary
WVU basketball looks to the future
March 26, 2024 - 12:15 am
Commentary
The things government should not do
March 25, 2024 - 12:20 am


Your Comments