Competition in sports turns effort into intensity, pressure into purpose, and turns ordinary moments into defining ones. Grayslake Central’s intramural basketball falls nothing short of that.
Intramural basketball at GCHS is a staple sport and club that many high school kids look forward to as soon as the cold October wind blows in. Between the heated rivalries, chippy games, and late night showdowns, everyone has one goal in mind, and that is to beat the teachers in the annual Student vs. Teacher assembly game that happens every spring. Most importantly, it brings together students of all skill levels, creating an environment where competitiveness, school pride, and fun all meet on the court.
No matter if you have never played basketball before, or hadn’t made the cut for the real team, intramural is open to play for everyone. When speaking to GCHS seniors Derek Caldwell about why he plays he said, “My knees were pretty bad freshman year, and they couldn’t keep up for the six days a week.” Intramural basketball is light and easy fun with very minimal injury risk with only one to two games a week, making it very convenient and less strenuous. The reason senior Jack Velez plays intramural is that he was “Just not good enough” which is fair – most people that play intramural basketball like it because you don’t have to be the best basketball player to have fun and succeed. Due to this, intramural basketball creates an inclusive environment where participation, enjoyment, and community matter more than skill level or past experience.
Despite the intramural basketball program’s positives, there are some downsides to the more casual gameplay. When senior Rocco Rand was asked if there was anything he would change about the program, he said “The Referees don’t call a lot of fouls and the time of the games are not good.” Caldwell backed him up, saying “You have a lot of freedom, so a lot of stuff slides that shouldn’t. The game times are pretty late too.” This is pretty common for intramural though due to gym spaces being limited during the winter season, and referees not being able to see every play or get every call right. Despite these issues, most players agree that the overall experience and enjoyment of intramural basketball outweigh the frustrations, making it one of the most popular activities at GCHS.
The one thing that most intramural basketball players agree on is why they love to play intramural basketball: the competitiveness. Caldwell said “Most people really don’t realize how competitive it gets.” Velez said the reason he likes intramural basketball is the “competitiveness.” Competition is the reason why many people love to play sports in the first place- no matter if you’re hitting people with football pads, pitching in the rain, or scoring a goal in a frigid hockey rink. All athletes have the natural drive inside of them to be competitors and are always trying to lay it all on the line. Competitiveness is essential in sports because it drives players to challenge themselves and others, build resilience, and experience the thrill of striving for success.
In the end, intramural basketball at GCHS isn’t just about playing a game. It’s all about having a blast with your teammates, getting hyped in the moment, and soaking up that competitive energy that makes sports so worth it. From the first tip off of the year to the crazy teacher student games, to ultimately crowning the champs at the end of the year, everyone’s pushed to give their best, cheer each other on, and just enjoy being on the court. It doesn’t matter if you’re a senior who’s been playing for four years or someone picking up the game for the first time, participating intramural basketball is always exciting and a little challenging. That mix of fun, competition, and school pride is what keeps people coming back every year. And honestly, win or lose, it’s really all about just loving the game and making memories.
