Lights Out
“This is their time. 1 student. 1 coach. 1 team. This is their story. The shot clock runs down to zero. Lights out. ”
4 years. 720 days. 17,280 hours of time, hard work, and dedication. The start of the sports season at Comp Sci has begun but the senior's time is counting down. Over time, student athletes must manage their love of their sport with their academic obligations. It is not as simple as it may seem to be a student athlete; in addition to talent, you also need to possess leadership qualities, effective communication skills, consideration for your teammates and the team, and a never-ending desire to improve. Imagine 4 years straight and not getting the recognition you deserve. This is their time. 1 student. 1 coach. 1 team. This is their story. The shot clock runs down to zero. Lights out.
Monet Johnson, also known as Coach Johnson, has been the coach of the Comp Sci High Boys Varsity Basketball Team for the past 2 years. As a female coach, she has faced the doubts of many people who have questioned her ability to coach a boy’s basketball team. However, she has disproved their claims, led the team to numerous victories, and taught lessons to each student athlete all along their journey. Coaching was just something Coach Johnson did around her neighborhood when she first started her career. But as she continued this journey she realized this is “an outlet for some kids, and just a way to get through life and its challenges.” For Coach Johnson, basketball is more than a game; it’s a “multifaceted position that involves mentorship, leadership, and personal development.” The most rewarding thing for her is “witnessing the growth of (her) players, both as athletes and as individuals.”
Alex Naravez, captain of the Comp Sci High Varsity Basketball team for the last two seasons. Many people will paint Alex as the star player for his dedication and strong love for the game. In the words of Coach Johnson: "Alex's character is nothing short of exemplary, both on and off the court. Alex's consistency demonstrates the qualities of a true leader.”
Alex has been on the team for 4 years and has been captain as both a Sophomore and a Junior. When the senior season starts, he will be captain for the third straight year. Since freshman year, according to Coach Johnson, “Alex has been dedicated in both his studies and in basketball. He prides himself on being a great student and athlete.” Over the years, Alex successfully established a sense of brotherhood with his team and developed mutual respect. He hopes that the team can be a place where kids can join to build a community and culture. He hopes that kids will build connections with each other that will last throughout highschool and throughout life. Just as the relationship with your teammates are important, the relationship and bond you have with your coach is just as important. “I feel like she is someone I can be my best self with,” Alex says about Coach Johnson. He continues: “She treats me like her son. She works with me through hard times, strives for me to do better but keeps me in check. She's a strong figure of a women's coach , a figure that is not typically portrayed. She is an amazing role model.” In the future, we see nothing but the best for Alex; according to Coach Johnson, he will grow into a successful young man who can lead both on and off the court.
We wish these student athletes the best, hope they continue the hard work and dedication they have shown throughout the years, and hope that they continue to develop as a team. While their season has yet to actually start, the hard work and dedication has already started with the Python Boys Varsity Basketball Team. Coach Johnson and the players see a bright future for this year's season and the seniors see their last year as a “Chip Year,” meaning that this year they will bring a championship back to Comp Sci High. .No matter what, it’s not just about their skill; it’s about who they are as people. As Coach Johnson says: “Your character means everything.” This is their story, their future, their team. Lights out.