Here at Mendocino High School, we offer a variety of sports. Out of all of the sports, basketball is by far the most popular. Many players of the sport prioritize practices and activities related to the game, such as fantasy teams, extra practice, and rewatching game footage, rather than completing in-class activities and participating in group events. 

The main issue with basketball being the priority in our players’ lives is the decrease in active participation. Players would rather put their energy toward something they are passionate about, and when teachers give leeway and encourage independence while completing assignments, players get distracted. Players who feel more pressure on their performance in the sport, such as Kyden Miller, who is the captain of the varsity basketball team, often feel that they miss out on some of the essential high school experiences, including being in a relationship or spending time with friends.

“Yeah, no, I’ve definitely thought about that,” Kyden shares, giving insight into his experience with priorities. “That I’m missing out on other things, and that it could be, like, a waste of time. And I thought about that a lot during my sophomore and junior years, and kind of lost passion for it a little bit, but I realized that it is my passion. It’s what I want to do. 
That is my next step: to go to college and play basketball. And get out of a small town and experience different things to figure out where I want to go. After high school, for my life.”

Kyden spends most of his time focusing on ways to improve his efficiency in the sport, dedicating several hours a week to getting better. Many players practice the game outside of the sport itself and focus on advancing their skills while bonding with their teammates, who share that competitive nature.

Gavin Evans, guard for our varsity basketball team, shares the flip side of Kyden’s point, which is that you sacrifice a lot when playing a sport. “I leave school. Not so much this year, but last year, I left school a lot due to basketball and soccer. And because of the absences, I really struggled with getting my work done. It also takes away from my alone time because I need to work on it then,” he shares. “But yeah, it’s a struggle.”

Despite each player having a different experience, they all share the struggle that their sport, whether it’s JV, varsity, soccer, or basketball, consumes their time. In addition to a lack of free time or additional absences in school, many players also shared a lack of confidence, which has the potential to take a toll on their mental health. 

There’s pressure from all sides with these players. Pressure to make varsity, to do better, to be the best, to be captain, to be MVP, to be a good sport, to never quit. Pressure from school, coaches, and their own insecurities, which makes it hard for them not to think about their sport, especially when their futures are relying on it. 

The consensus amongst all the players that I interviewed was simple: students would much rather put effort into something they believe they’re good at, that is, something that they can see and feel the results of.