At school, we were assigned to write a small writing piece that was called Explode the Moment. The task was to take a small moment in our lives and expand it and create a story that feels like slow motion. Here is my Explode the moment that is called Swish.
We were at the Ontario Cup Basketball Finals and we were up against the best team from Toronto. There were 0.2 seconds on the clock when I was shoved violently by my defender. The referee called a foul in my favor. I had one free throw to win gold for our team. I moved forward to the free throw line wiping the sweat off of my scorching face. I placed my toes on the bold black line and glanced at the scoreboard, we were tied 48-48. The air smelled of hot sweat. I looked at the referee and the players, they were all in their places. It was time for my foul shot.
I had one shot to win the game for my team. I looked around at the crowd and they were cheering so loud. The referee passes me the ball. I bounced the ball on the hard floor in preparation for the shot. The ball hit the ground making a sound and vibrating the area near my feet and I could feel the pressure weighing on my heart as the ball bounced back into my hands. I focused on the basket. The sounds of the crowd seemed to disappear, an eerie silence was settling into my brain. I bounced the ball again not taking my eyes off the basket. The people sitting behind the basket disappeared from view. Only the basket existed. All was still. I close my eyes and breathe heavily, I could feel the hot air brush past my face. I open my eyes to take the shot and gently lower down with my knees to get additional power and height. I spring up, my sweaty hands tightly gripping the ball, aiming at the basket. I had to shoot, but my hands did not want to let go of the ball. My arms move forward and finally, I let go.
The ball spun rapidly as it slowly progressed towards the basket. I could see every scratch and line on the ball vividly in slow motion. I read the KYBA logo written on the side of the ball and I noticed the lower end of the Y had been erased over time. I heard a swish and my mind went back in time. I was an eight-year-old starting basketball, taking my first shots, then reality sank in. I realized that my shot went in! The crowd erupted in cheers, all the people appeared back in view. We had won!