See the issue: November 2007

My team overcomes defeat by sticking together and pumping each other up. We try to create a picture in our heads of what we want to accomplish, because the common goal to win can be achieved as long as we have confidence that it can. We take every possible shot in basketball practice, or run every possible play in football practice. There is no reason anybody on our team would not want to win the game, because we’ve all done it before. That’s how we overcome defeat.
Jesse Martin
Wilde Lake High School / Columbia, Md.

[After a loss], we pick ourselves up off the ground, wipe our knees and get back to work—ten times harder. We learn from our mistakes. No one likes to lose, but you can never truly improve on your skills or yourself unless you fail.
Allen Muir
Camden Hills Regional High School
Appleton, Maine

How does your team unite before a game? What about after victory, defeat or deep in the off-season? Is there a prayer or chant you say together before the game? A meal you share? A movie you watch? Bring it to us at letters@stack.com. If we like what you got, we’ll feature your team story.

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