Blood, Sweat, Tears, Pain--
They begin the telling of my tale,
A tale for underdogs,
A tale for fallen champions.

I awake before the sun rises.
Every morning is a new day.
Every day is another yard
Towards the perpetual road to glory.

Where will my endeavors lead me?
My body falls.
I recuperate.
I believe.

My time has come.
I fell freshman year.
I fell sophomore year.
I will not fall junior year.

Every drop of sweat, tear, and blood.
They do not halt me.
They remind me.
I have to go farther.

The crowds roar in stands.
I look up with nonchalance.
The basketball flys.
The games begin.

Scoreless and restrained from play.
I spectated my brothers.
Each fighting for our name.
The score is tied.

5 seconds will decide the victor.
The coach glimpses then points.
"You. In. Now."
My heart thumps, but my mind knew.

The referee held Spaulding.
I anxiously observed the orange sphere.
Spalding trained with me.
We were already acquainted.

My teammate passed me Spalding.
I released my old friend to beat the buzzer.
The clock struck 0:00.
Spalding slid through the rim.

The game was won.
The team won.
The school won.
I won.