I'm seldom the one who shows much enthusiasm in school competitions. Of course, I ain't the obstinate mule that you think I might be; when prodded, I do cheer and all that, but I don't go all out really. I'm not a competitor, I thought, so why should I ooze enthusiasm left, right, and center? I would say it would take a lot to change that stubborn mentality I have. And a lot it did take to change that: it was only today when I suddenly felt like I really belonged to TJ. I felt TJ's school spirit - fully blown in my face. I was overwhelmed.

Today was the National Basketball Championships finals. The basketball A division boys managed to qualify for the finals (apparently this was a first in 15 years). The last year we'd clinched the championship was 20 years ago. Since it was considered a milestone in TJ sporting events, the principal decided that it was good if the whole school could go down to support the basketball players. And yeah - that's exactly what we did.

Never, ever have I witnessed such intensity and suspense in a basketball match. The whole thing was a rollercoaster ride, with TJ taking the lead at times (specifically the beginning), and HCI taking the lead at other times (specifically the middle). Most of the time the scores were equalized, with each school threatening to overtake the other constantly. Basically - our ugly sides kind of showed up. So did the other school's. Whenever an opponent's team committed a foul, or missed a basket, either school would scream in joy. It was quite cruel to laugh at each other's misfortune, but then again this is a competition -- and there's no mercy on court.

The beginning saw TJ taking a big lead, I guess HCI had yet to warm up. Subsequently they caught up with us - and there was this time where our score reached a deadlock - there didn't seem to be anyway we could break it - until there was a timeout. Guess it did wonders. But you don't know how scared and anxious we were. We genuinely wanted TJ to win. To break that 20 year record, to show that we excelled in something.

The euphoria in the air after the match was exhilarating. Absolutely exhilarating. I was impressed mostly by TJ's never-say-die attitude, even when our scores dipped to a low, we never stopped cheering. 'Fight on, TJ, Fight on'. That's what I heard and echoed. 'Let's go, TJ, Let's go'. That too. I don't know, it was like we didn't lose faith - and I'm glad we didn't - if I were on court like the team, I would certainly be encouraged by what my school was doing for me.

When we won - that's when the very climax of the euphoria hanging in the air was reached. Everyone screamed, unrestrained, losing their senses for a moment or two, hi-fiving our neighbours despite not being in the team personally, clapped till our palms hurt. We stood proud and sang the school song.

I can't emphasize more how impressed I really am.

Oh. This sounds a lot like a school article or something doesn't it. Ok. Here's what you wouldn't find in one: People who claim TJ is lacking in school spirit should just go home. And probably update their brains on what TJ is like now. Step aside okay - just step aside. And obviously you can tell, it's happened to me before. People telling me, oh XJC is lacking in this and that as compared to X2JC.

Yeah, whatever. It doesn't sway me anymore.

Labels: events

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