Sport (noun), does not exist in a vacuum. Around the world people regularly show their passion for the thrill of competition. But, with the exception of those Belichick types who can break down a defense with efficiency that would make Siri jealous, the vast majority of us don’t care about how a ball bounces, flawless technique, or even the score. What we really care about is the arc of the hero, the journey from weight rooms and practice fields to hoisting championship trophies. Without the losses, failed reps, and literal blood/sweat/tears, a trophy is an art project. The journey gives it meaning. That’s the real reason we care about sport.
Now here in the good ol’ U.S. of A. varsity competition between high schools is a unique right of passage. For some it’s an athletic pinnacle that will forever be glorified in countless bars and reunions till the end of time. For others it might serve as the humble beginning of a life-changing career. From Uncle Rico to LeBron James, and everyone in between, the experience is an important one. It might be first time in your life that performance is carefully scrutinized and not everyone goes home with a trophy.
The box score, the classic “gamer” article, all that stuff is great, it’s just not what we do. We don’t tell your story, we show it.