2024/Noah-

I am the one who sees the orange ball bouncing up and down while thinking how

to steal it because that is what you should do to score points and help a

team to win, in the Samurai Gym.

I am the one who hears my coach screaming different plays just to score from an

inbound pass. His commanding voice drowns out the screaming fans, helping me focus, in the Samurai Gym.

I am the one who feels the curves and dents of the ball on my fingertips while

dribbling and catching and passing, but not when shooting. You're not really thinking about how the ball feels in the moment or you might get blocked in the Samurai Gym.

I am the one who smells the stink on the hard-working players as they sweat, up

and down the court, in the Samurai Gym.

I am the one who tastes the sweat dripping down my face while my mouth is

open from panting on the bench after playing an entire first and second quarter. I don't want to be on the bench. I want to be in the game. I want as much playing time as possible, in the Samurai Gym.

I am the one who hopes that my team will win the championship, in the Samurai

Gym.

Who am I?