3PointSwish was the first club basketball team I had ever joined, and it was one of the most impactful decisions I have ever made. My parents were searching for a travel club basketball team for me to join in the beginning of summer in eighth grade, looking for me to gain more experience and improve on my skills. While looking through different programs around the area, we came across 3PointSwish. This club team was recommended to us by some of our parents’ friends before, and I decided to go to the tryouts. 

When I first joined, I did not really know anyone on the team and was kind of nervous about fitting in. The first days at practices were very rough for me; I had to get used to the daily routine, and everyday was a different challenge. We spent most of our practices running drills, shooting, and practicing different plays. On some practice days, I felt tired and exhausted, but seeing my teammates pushing through the pain motivated me to do the same. Everyone on the team had their own unique talent, and was able to score the ball very efficiently and play great defense. Even when someone made a mistake in a game or practices, we each encouraged each other to learn from it and improve. 

Coach Carlos and the team parents are a huge reason why this team feels like a family. They are always there to help anyone, not just about basketball, but about life too. They constantly give advice on tournament days and help us stay motivated; they care about every one of us. Their support means a lot, and it shows how strong our bond is, not just as a basketball team.

Off the court, we have so many amazing moments that made this team feel like a second family. After weekend tournaments, we often have team dinners where we eat, spend time together, and celebrate what we accomplished. Sometimes we go to the mall together, hang out, and just enjoy spending time with each other outside of playing basketball. These moments are all memories that will last forever outside our team.

I am truly thankful for everything 3PointSwish has given me. The teammates, parents, and coaches that pushed me through and all the memories we have made throughout our season are what I’m most grateful for. Since most of my teammates and I have all entered high school, our team was recently disbanded due to a lack of players and Coach Carlos moving to Oregon. Even though we aren’t playing together as a team anymore, I still carry all the memories we made together with me.