Varshney [2 to the limit. I would start by going to Broadstone Racquet Club at cight o'clock in the morning, greeting a cheerful woman at the front desk as I walked in. When | would arrive at the glossy hardwood court, I would put on my blue Nikes, and [ would slowly stretch every part of my body. Next, | would take out a smooth leather Wilson basketball and start dribbling up and down the court, working on my ball handling skills. Then, | would start shooting jump shots, working on form and technique. Sweat would drip down my forehead, and | would take a break and drink the bright red! Gatorade for a little more energy. After some more basketball, [ would lift weights ‘and nun on the treadmaill with one of my friends, We would both push each to go hard or to run faster. We would end our day knowing that the day didn't go to waste and we were working towards our goal of being better baskethall players, [also played with a competitive basketball team over the summer, which really helped me develop and gave me experience for playing at higher levels, : a In October 2010, the eighth-grade tryouts started and I was prepared for the intense three- day tryout. The court was brightly lit up and the painted jaguar in the middle of the court looked as real as ever. Wearing my shiny new Nike basketball shoes I walked on to the court greating all iy friends before the tryouts started. The caach walked in with a serious look on his face, while all the players nervously stared at him as he explained the tryouts. “Welcome to the eighth-grade basketball team tryouts. | hope you guys are prepared and ready for today. Eighth- grade basketball isn't a joke, so those of you that make the team will have to he committed to working hard and wanting to win. Also, some of’ you will make itand some of you won't, Those of you that don’t make it, don't feel bad, just come back next year and try again.” Throughout the three days Iwas playing great, showing my skills, rsaking shots and playing great defense, and most