![Booster Club Co-Chair Ms. Vanessa Withers, Mrs. Allison Dietrick, and Co-Chair Ms. Angela Rashid stand in front of their “Tiger Treats” table. “Parents, players, and fans are excited about [“Tiger Treats”] because it kind of makes Westridge athletics more of a thing,” said Mrs. Dietrick.](https://westridgespyglass.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMG_6034.jpg)
Let me make a few things clear right off the bat here. No, I did not play JV basketball just for the PE credit. Yes, I am skilled enough to play on varsity. No, it doesn’t feel weird to be the oldest one on the team.
I’ve played basketball since third grade. I’ve been through the drills and multiple pairs of basketball shoes—ranging from tractionless running shoes to exclusive Jordans. I’m not the best player, I admit that. As a senior, I had the option to play for the varsity team, but I chose junior varsity. Let me tell you why.
I played junior varsity basketball my freshman and sophomore year of high school. I became team captain my sophomore year and had the best time leading the team. I made connections, friends, and learned new skills. While mentoring my teammates, I was able to foster a healthy team ethic and create long-lasting connections. Playing on the JV team is more about camaraderie than competition. Sure, we want to win—but we want to be a team first. As a JV team, we didn’t have the pressure of trying to win championships. Instead we focused more on team- and skill-building.
My junior year, I competed on the varsity team. I had worked hard for it and felt ready to be part of the team. My best friend was also on the team, which should have made the experience even better—but I soon missed the team spirit of playing on JV.
It was a tough decision, but come senior year, I ultimately decided to play for JV. Basketball has meant a lot to me over the years. It’s how I met my best friend and grew even closer to other friends; it’s what my dad and I bond over; and it’s the sport that taught me how to be an effective and compassionate leader. The skills I developed and the relationships I made weren’t dependent on the level of play.
For me, choosing to play on the JV team gave me the chance to participate in the spring musical. I could still enjoy all the things I loved about basketball. Even more important, I could show up as a supportive leader to younger players.
This whole season was bittersweet. I knew it would be the last time I traveled to certain schools, last time I made a free throw, and last time I played with my teammates. But basketball is about more than just the athletic performance. It’s about growth, learning, and the impact I make on my teammates.
