Walking on the court as my heart pounds fast.
Greeting the college recruiters as I slowly walk past.
Playing my heat out like today was my last.
Thinking of my bright future forgetting about my past.
Running, Jumping, Shooting, Even diving on the floor.
Until the college recruiters walk out the gym door.



Breathing hard, Sweating Harder,
Heart pounding like a Bass drum,
Sacrificing everything on the court since Day One,
This is the beginning of my life,
I’m nowhere near close to done!



I AM Orlando F.
I WONDER about future life
I HEAR coaches mention me in conversations
I SEE myself growing as a person
I AM Orlando F.
I PRETEND I just made a game winning shot

I BELIEVE in my team
I TOUCH the ball as it is passed to me
I FEEL the intensity in the atmosphere
I WORRY about losing my Mom
I TRY to be a better person
I AM Orlando Fikes
I UNDERSTAND what it takes to win
I SAY Oak Park High School Basketball Team will win
I DREAM of going to the Breslin Center
I Am all of the above!