Go team!

I want to tell you about my basketball team. The 12 of us, ranging from 14 to 17 years represent our school in various tournaments in the city and the state.
Last week, we had our all-state tournament. The winners would be given an opportunity to represent the state at the national championships. it was a wonderful chance. it was a chance our school had been missing ever since we started taking part in the tournament.
we were a good team, no doubt. we played hard and we would most often make it to the finals of the tournaments we played. but at the finals, there was one team, just one that could beat us. and they did it without fail every time. each tournament we would have to suffice with a runners up trophy. one step below the top.
in the beginning we were happy with what we got. but as the years went on, and history kept on repeating itself, we yearned for something more. we wanted that number one spot. and then we started trying. and still, every time, we lacked something and we lost. losing was the game now. but it got to us. every year our hopes were renewed. we had fresh players, new faces, new ideas, new coaches... but nothing seemed to work.
last week we were there again. the finals of the big tournament of the year. we wanted to beat them. we KNEW we would beat them. we had to beat them. winning was important, like never before. and on the court, the tension was high. our nerves were taut. theirs on the other hand were relaxed, to them we were an easy win. they had done it before and they would do it again.
the thing is, we lost again. we lost the match against the team, just like all those other times. but what was different this time was the cheers in the crowd i heard when we scored a basket. the fact that we fought with our hearts and souls in the game. for once, that we believed in each other and trusted each other and helped each other out even when we were being kicked in the dirt.
that one match was what made our team special this year. we had never fought like that before. never wanted anything so badly and yet did not get it. the tears we shed that day were endless. they would just not stop flowing. but when the 12 of us lay down at night to sleep, we just said 'it's OK, we fought, we tried, it's OK" we hugged each other, and tried to make a joke or two.
this team, our team with so much spirit, i love them. they have taught me values of teamwork, trust, faith, courage, determination, co-operation, perseverance, optimism and kindness. there's nothing like being part of a team.