As the winter sports seasons come to an end, many athletes look forward to next year’s
promises; however, for the graduating class of 2011 it is the final goodbye for a sport which they have invested so much time and passion.
Senior Alek Smed has played basketball for years.
“I’ve done it since forever,” Smed said.
Having his final game approaching so quickly, he has developed a new outlook on the game. Passing down the leadership to the underclassmen, he hopes they remember the same idea: make the most of it.
“Always have fun,” he said. “That’s the only way you’ll get something out of it.”
He admits the end of the season is going to be hard. Smed does not plan on playing organized basketball in college, and it is something he will miss. Imagining his last game on the court, he doesn’t think it will be much different. He will give all of his determination; after he walks off the court for the last time, though, it will be difficult.
After a hard season is finished Smed has one last piece of advice for the rest of his team:
“Always enjoy it, regardless of the situation, even if predicted to be bad, enjoy it.”
Senior Emily Stoneking also participated in this year’s Basketball season. Like Smed, this will be the last time she plays organized basketball, after playing in Albert Lea for 8 years. In that period of time it has become a passion
“I play because I love it,” Stoneking said.
This is not the first time she has had to walk away from a court she has become familiar with over the years. Stoneking ended her volleyball season this fall, and will be starting the softball season this spring.
“With volleyball it was hard but with basketball it’s so much harder because it’s that much closer to being completely done [with high school],” Stoneking said.
Approaching their final game Stoneking has realized when it comes down to it, the numbers on the scoreboard are not the most important thing.
“We didn’t win a lot of games but they were close,” Stoneking said. “We played hard and had fun.”
Stoneking hopes to continue to play through intramurals in college.