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The following article was originally published in NOW Newspapers under the "State of Play" feature, a series of bi-weekly feature columns penned by WSN General Manager Travis Wilson.
 

"Rage against the dying of the light."

That line from Welsh poet Dylan Thomas has stuck with me for many years, and I've found it applicable for numerous situations. To me, it exemplifies fighting with all you have against a looming end. And, it is my best advice to the thousands of basketball players who will embark upon the final legs of their high school careers in the coming weeks.

For many teams, their fates were decided long ago, through offseason work (or lack thereof), dedication to the program, genetics and even what town a family chose to move to. There is little hope for a team sitting at 4-18 to advance more than perhaps one game in the playoffs. While a team near .500 may get to sectionals occasionally, the vast majority will not come close.

But, for many other boys and girls hoops squads, their postseason success is not only still in the balance, but in their hands to a large extent. One of my favorite quotes during my time coaching was, "The difference between winning and losing is often just a little extra effort." Focusing just a little more during practice, pushing through when you feel a bit winded, hustling just a bit harder to get back on defense on even one trip down the court. It all adds up and can make the difference.

Because let me tell you one thing: if you truly are a competitor, once it is over, you will spend the rest of your life trying to replicate it.

Perhaps you'll be one of the 3.4 percent of high school participants that go on to play in Division I, II or III (along with a few more that play NAIA or JUCO), which will fill that gap considerably.

Perhaps you'll look to stay involved in the game by officiating, or coaching or pushing your children to participate. Maybe you'll become a lowly prep sports reporter.

Perhaps you'll try to recapture that feeling, however fleeting, by playing intramurals, rec league, men's league or pick-up ball. But none can truly replicate the high-school basketball experience. Running out for warmups to a rocking pep band and raucous big-game environment, the bus rides, the summer tournaments, the anticipation, the team meals, the coaches ... the friendships.

Being a part of a team with someone, especially a small-roster sport like basketball, creates a bond that can be found few other places in life. There's a good chance you've grown up playing with these people for years, maybe since third or fourth grade. You might not even like all of them, but that bond of brotherhood/sisterhood is still there.

Sadly, there are those that have likely checked out already, who are looking forward to the end. I honestly feel sorry for the ones who feel that way. Then again, even the toughest competitors are only high schoolers, and the power of the moment can be difficult to grasp. It often takes the finality of it being over to truly grasp how much something meant, and how rare it is to feel that way.

High-school sports are not and should not be the pinnacle of your life, but they are something unique that you cannot replicate.

So as you lace 'em up in the coming weeks, do all that you can to delay the unfortunate truth: your high school basketball career will end.

"Do not go gentle into that good night."