Written by Trey Meier, Staff Writer
On a foggy morning in Calabasas, Calif., the world lost a legend.
Indian Trail High School & Academy senior Garrett Hatch said it best: “Kobe Bryant was an exceptional leader and athlete, but an even better man. Kobe’s impact on the world was more important to him than his career. He always put others’ lives in front of his own. This made him a role model for a lot of people. Sunday was a very sad day. My prayers are with those who were aboard the helicopter with Kobe. The unimaginable has happened and we have to make sure we remember those we have lost.”
From his incredible dedication to the game of basketball, to the happiness that being a dad brought him, Kobe touched the hearts of so many people. And while there have been many sad, funny, heartwarming, and motivating stories about Kobe from other NBA stars and celebrities circulating around social media, believe it or not, there are also students at Indian Trail who share a unique perspective on what Kobe meant to them.
“He was the beginning of basketball for me,” said senior Anthony Bernero, who is also the starting center on the Hawks basketball team. “He was my first memory of watching basketball so that really stuck with me, and also what he was doing for the game after he was done playing was special.”
“He inspired me to work hard and put my all into what I do. Even outside of sports, he was my hero. He was the Jordan of my era,” sophomore Eric Salgado said.
“He was an amazing role model and just another example of how far hard work can take you,” said senior Conner Bousson. “He was always awesome to watch, especially in big games.”
Bryant also had a profound impact on Hawks basketball swingman, senior Jeramiah Suber.
“Kobe affected me as a person because he always wanted to try new challenges and always strive for greatness in the process and he never wanted to fail, no matter how hard he had to push himself,” Suber said. “Growing up I didn’t get to see players like Jordan, so as a kid it was always Kobe 24/7, and he always pushed players, even his teammates to never give up and to give it 100% every time they step on the court.
“Kobe meant everything to me and he was kind of like a second father figure. It hurts to see him and his daughter go like they did. I pray for his wife and family as they struggle through this hard time,” Suber said.
There are no words to give Kobe justice on how great of a person he was. Even people who have never spoken a word to him in their entire life, can still make out vivid memories of watching him play, or how he developed their love for basketball.
As for me, I always knew of Kobe as one of the great- est of all time. Watching him score 60 points in his final game was surreal, and a moment I will never forget. And although the kids in high school now could only start watching him in the jersey #24 era, the avid basketball fan understood what that game meant for him and his legacy of hard work, determination, and focus. Kobe had more of an impact on me after he retired rather than when he was still playing. When I kept getting injured for track and cross country, I would watch motivational videos and stories about Kobe and his work ethic, and become even more determined to come back stronger than I was before. I also tried to emulate his mesmerizing contested mid-range jump shot into my game, and needless to say, I’m not sure Kobe would approve of it. After all those nights of watching his highlights, stories of his work ethic, his love and care for people, and his interviews about the joy of having daughters, I am not ashamed to say that I want to be like Kobe one day.
Although Kobe is not physically with us today, his presence will always be there. That guy who has been vigorously working on his jumpshot for hours in the corner of the gym? He was inspired by Kobe. The dad who is coaching his 10-year-old daughter’s basketball team? He was also inspired by Kobe. The girl who has gotten straight A’s all throughout high school but still isn’t satisfied? Kobe taught her that. And finally, the teacher who just tossed her crumpled up piece of paper into the trash from her desk? “Kobe.”