Every game’s the big one in playoffs

First and foremost, I want to congratulate the Young varsity girls basketball team on making it Downstate. I wish you guys the best of luck in Peoria — I’m sure you’ll do very well. Make sure you play hard and give it everything you’ve got.

We also have begun our bid for state, and won our first state playoff game against Proviso West on Tuesday. Since then, we have been in the gym preparing for the very talented Morton team that always brings plenty of fans wherever it goes.

I really enjoy playing in the state playoffs because there are no easy games and everyone is going to give it their all because if they don’t, then it’s their last game of the season. You never want to end your season on a loss, but it happens.

I can hardly believe the state playoffs have come around this fast. It’s almost unimaginable, because you wait so long for the season to start, and then it blows by so quickly.

Some people might shy away from being in the toughest sectional in Illinois history, but not the Dolphins. We believe that it can only make us better down the road, and that’s why it’s so important to stick it out. As I said before, it’s not how you start — it’s how you finish.

From here on out, I am going to give everything I have in my body and lay it all on the line for my team because you never know if there is going to be a ‘‘next game.’’ You can only worry about today, and I just want to continue having fun with my teammates, all of whom I admire.

As the season winds down, I can’t explain how much I am going to miss all of them next year. I have formed a special bond with all of them, and it’s sad to say I won’t have them by my side within a matter of months.

In closing, I want to give a shout out to the best athletic director in the world. Coach Cassidy, we love you!

Until next time.