2025 JJ Tomsick Herriman HS

Blood, Sweat, and Tears

Imagine that you are a senior in high school fulfilling your lifelong goal of playing varsity basketball. The time seems to be slipping away from the first game of the season. Seven total home games in region. Thirty-two minutes per game. The season is short, but you’re playing ball with your childhood teammates and every moment is a dream come true. The elation in playing with your best friends can only be matched by the thrill of the crowds of students cheering. This was my story. After taking my junior year off the basketball team, every game of my senior year felt precious. The second game of the season came, and we were ahead on our cross-town rivals 24-18. It was the middle of the second quarter when I caught a bad shoulder playing defense. I instantly saw stars, and as I got my bearings, I saw the pool of blood beginning to accumulate, I knew this was more than just a stinger. Rushed to the trainer, I asked if he could patch me up so that I could get back on the court. The play continued while I was with the trainer, my mouth gushing blood. Although I was in considerable pain, all I wanted was to return to the court.  It soon became clear, however, that the bleeding wouldn’t stop with pressure alone and to my dismay, I had to leave the school and head to the Emergency Room for stitches. A blood vessel had torn apart, and it took thirty stitches it get it closed. Because of this injury, I not only missed the remainder of that game, but I had to sit out for up to two weeks while the laceration healed. Every week meant two games, and I was devastated.  It felt so unfair. Not only was I missing practices and games, but I also couldn’t talk, eat, or laugh with my friends. I saw my senior season slipping away and it made me angry, and I wasn’t handling it well. I put a smile on for my team, but inside the disappointment was excruciating. I was often short tempered, sad, and had a sense of self pity. I cut myself off my support system and turned inwar. After what felt like an eternity, I was cleared to play. This isn’t the trial I want to talk about, however. In just my third game back, while trying to sprint up the court, I felt and heard a loud pop come from my right leg. I instantly dropped to the floor in agonizing pain.  I couldn’t believe what was happening. Hadn’t I already suffered my injury for the year? I hoped it wasn’t season-ending the way that I feared. Every moment that I waited to be seen and examined by my doctor left me anxious and scared. I saw this situation as a second chance to respond to adversity. What I hadn’t done well then, I was determined to do better now. Worry, fear, and discouragement had gotten the best of me the first time and I knew that those emotions weren’t the solution to this current situation. Not only had those feelings not helped me heal, but they left me unhappy. The choice this time was mine to make.  As we drove to the doctor’s office, I prepared for a season-ending injury. I resolved to take whatever news delivered with a mind centered on what I could learn mentally from this physical challenge. After a brief exam, the doctor informed me that I had a torn calf muscle and that I needed at least two weeks of non-weight bearing time on my leg. I quickly did the math in my mind. Fourteen days would take us to the end of regular season play. This news was not what I was hoping for. Although I was disappointed, I resolved to do everything within my power to speed up the healing process. Instead of focusing on what I couldn’t control, I made it my mission to focus on gratitude, a positive outlook, and proactive recovery. This doesn’t mean that the next two weeks weren’t extremely hard. Our team saw successes and failures that I wish I could have been a part of or influenced. These trials may seem insignificant in the long run, but to me, it was everything. I believe that what I learned during my senior season of basketball has shaped who I am becoming. I will not be defined by the things that happen that are out of my control. What will define me is my attitude and outlook as well as my ability to seek solutions to what I can control. It has made me more of a problem-solver and ultimately, I am grateful for that.