Adversity brings out the best in some
Published 12:01 am Thursday, March 20, 2014
Adversity can hit you anywhere at anytime.
This was especially the case of Tyquone Greer, who hit the eventual game-winning shot at a high school basketball game on Tuesday in Chicago, a mere two weeks after being shot in the leg at a neighborhood gathering.
According to a report on ESPN.com, Greer begged and kept bothering his coach to get him in the game.
His persistence paid off and with three seconds left, the high-schooler overcame his adversity to help guide Orr Academy to its second straight appearance in the state tournament.
This story reminded this sports editor of recent baseball games that I’ve seen in which teams have had to overcome adverse situations to pull out wins.
Andalusia had to battle with Opp in extra innings last week in an-always heated rivalry affair, and added a sweep over Straughn, another rival, after a clutch home run to help seal the deal.
Another would be LBWCC’s baseball team having to come from behind on a 5-1 deficit to beat Alabama Southern 9-6 to snap a 7-game losing streak.
When Greer’s story came up on my computer screen, I couldn’t help remembering how well high schoolers handle tough situations in all sports.
Spectators might not notice, but they are under extreme pressure at times. That pressure does get to some, but not all.
Now, there have been some games where I’ve sat there and said, “that was incredible” or “man, what an effort.”
Those are the games that breed adversity in some shape or form, and those are the ones I enjoy covering the most.
So, when do you think adversity will hit your favorite team next?
For Greer, it took about two weeks and bothering his coach for it to hit him right in the face with three seconds left in a basketball game.