Galen Harkness • November 14, 2025
This Season Will Test You — Here’s How to Rise
Middle school basketball is where players separate.
Middle school basketball is where players separate.
Not by height.
Not by talent.
Not by what team they’re on.
But by habits.
Mindset.
Standards.
Buy-in.
The Virginia football story shows exactly why.
Winning Starts With Your Culture
Virginia didn’t start winning because of fancy facilities.
They won because the team decided who they were going to be.
They chose:
- Effort
- Unity
- Belief
- Discipline
- Standards
Great middle school teams aren’t built on just skill.
They’re built on what they do every day.
Leaders Speak Their Goals Out Loud
The new quarterback at Virginia stood up and said:
“I came here to win a conference championship.”
He didn’t mumble it.
He didn’t hope for it.
He claimed it.
And the room changed.
Your season will change the moment you choose a clear goal — and act like you mean it.
Buy-In Separates Serious Players From Casual Players
Buy-in looks like:
- Sprinting to huddles
- Running the floor every rep
- Talking on defense
- Bringing energy
- Being coachable
- Staying locked in
Buy-in is rare.
That’s why it wins.
Adversity Is Coming — Don’t Run From It
You will have:
- Bad shooting nights
- Tough losses
- Fatigue
- Overthinking
- Mistakes
- Pressure moments
Most players hide.
Serious players grow.
Adversity is part of the sport.
How you respond is part of your identity.
This Season Will Reveal Who You Are Becoming
Not your Instagram.
Not your potential.
Not just your “skill level.”
Your habits.
Your effort.
Your consistency.
Your energy.
Your focus.
Your growth.
Choose to rise.
EYG is here to help you make this your strongest season yet.
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