By james art 
Hanging over the door to the Glendale basketball dressing room is a sign that reads “Elevate”, coinciding with the same tattoo font written in the left foot of Amare withm. The falcons slaughtered it every time they take the court.
Glendale’s bench seat remains empty, with Vittt’s # 3 T -shirt hanging over it. Jersey reminds the falcons of what they play.
On the court, the falcons play with greater love for each other, playing like the family they have become. It was difficult at first (and still), but now they win the way they know he would make his late teammate Gordian.
“He’s still here with us,” said Jr. Zack Hawkins.
The falcons keep Vitttt in the heart of the Glendale program months after his death. One of the most talented basketball players in the area was too soon in early July, but the Falcons used their pain to approach with with with the mind.
“It’s not a day when it doesn’t move over us,” said Falcons coach Brian Mactag, who speaks on the holiday of Vittt’s life. “Children talk about him all the time and tell stories all the time as in a normal conversation. He is always here.”
“To live on Amare”
Anthony Fletcher, a senior falcon leader, wears “LL3” through his shoe, like his other teammates, which means “live amare”. When they connect, messages are often reminded of playing hard, while maintaining the prospect of playing a game.
When he descends, Fletcher often refers to videos on your phone on his phone, considering happy memories. With the great personality of Vitham there is no shortage of staff. Fletcher loves the videos of dance, festivities in changing rooms and spraying water everywhere after big wins.
As one of the two elderly people is heading for this season, Fletcher was forced to grow up quickly and become a leader needed to a younger list. He often speaks in the group chat of the team, informing everyone that he is there for them while celebrating his friend’s life.
“It’s a more holiday, not sad,” Fletcher said. “He has to live his life and he has to play the game he loved. We just have to continue this heritage, and that’s how I try to comfort them.”
Jacan’s seats had played with Vittt as he was six years old. Junior was awe of what Vittam could do on the court, whether it was his ability or firing handles. His presentation of 54 points as a sophomore, a recording of one -electric schools for public schools in Springfield, is still talked about as if he were a legend. Places, teammates and viewers dreamed of watching it one day to break the records for scoring the area and then play basketball on Division I.
Seats and other falcons miss a friend. They miss the jokes of Vittt in hotel rooms on road travel, playing NBA 2K together and his ability to make others smile when they were down.
“It was a presence that was lost,” the seats said. “I feel that the whole country was just shaken because it just made such a big impact. It was a shock to everyone and that made it a really big impact that lost it, but it just gives us that motivation for driving to play.”
Lift
This motivation is transferred to the court, where the falcons have a winning record and Marquee wins over teams such as Bolivar, West Plains and HillCrest. Glendale won the last with a second half rally to win in double overtime. Mactag applauds their ability to never give up when the games begin to get out of them.
The falcons attribute their success to the family atmosphere they have created off the court.
“Everything that happened to us definitely gathered us,” Hawkins said. “This is an unfortunate circumstance for us. We all definitely have to mature a little. But now we are experienced with things that can happen in this world. This is not a situation we would like to be, but definitely helps us as a team .
Mactag noticed him and gave him a new perspective. He misses frequent visits and text messages to Vittt and admits that some days are more difficult than others. He never knows when the pain will hit.
His current group helps him heal. There was no day in which he was not excited to be around his athletes and to help them guide them by playing the game that everyone loves.
He hears the children talk about Vitmo all the time. The team plays in a tournament in Nashville and he heard stories about his former point, keeps all the driving there.
“I love these children and I just have relationships with them, that we don’t have to be taken too seriously or basketball too seriously,” Mactag said. “I know these kids want to be good and it is good to see them push and compete in the games. But this is not something we had to press a lot. It’s just some even a keel to keep things in perspective And keeping things balanced.
“I don’t know how completely they do all of them”
According to Mactag, basketball is just a “stupid game” and there are more important things in life than victory and loss. The connections that the falcons have built through sports will be what they will never forget.
The falcons have adopted a new perspective as they mature through a situation where a group of young men should not withstand. Throughout all these, they were there for each other and grew. At the same time, they start playing a really good basketball.
Vittam will continue to be in mind, whether it is his shirt on the side line, writings on their shoes, or the place they have kept for him in their hearts.
You are always with them.
“I don’t know how completely the death of everyone with it,” Mactag said. “I think most of them just see the good times and do not think about something negative that has happened. Everyone deals with him on his own personal journey, but I am sure that this will continue to progress over the years.”