In this episode of Making the Team, we sit down with Joel Gardner, senior point guard for Skyridge Falcons, to talk about the real experience of being a high school varsity basketball player.Joel shares what people don’t always see—early mornings, pressure to perform, balancing school with basketball, leadership expectations, and the mental grind that comes with playing at a high level. We dive into what it’s like running the offense as a senior point guard, earning trust from coaches and teammates, and navigating the ups and downs of a competitive high school basketball season.This conversation is a must-watch for high school basketball players, parents, and coaches who want an honest look at varsity basketball beyond highlights and box scores. Whether you’re trying to make the team, earn minutes, or understand the demands of high school hoops, this episode delivers real perspective from someone living it.Topics Covered:• Life as a varsity high school basketball player• Leadership as a senior point guard• Handling pressure, expectations, and adversity• Balancing academics, training, and competition• What it really takes to compete at a high levelSubscribe to Making the Team for real conversations with players and coaches about growth, mindset, and the journey of basketball.Be sure to check follow the Skyridge Falcons Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/skyridgebball/Please consider following us on social:https://www.youtube.com/@MakingTheTeamPodcast?sub_confirmation=1https://www.instagram.com/making_the_team/https://www.tiktok.com/@making.the.teamChapters:0:00 Intro0:16 Joel's love for basketball 0:40 Behind the Scenes of Varsity basketball2:50 Father/Son and Coach/Player Relationship4:35 Preparing for Games5:28 Joel's Tenacity6:21 What it takes to win6:52 What Pressure feels like7:35 Favorite Play8:26 Bantam vs AAU ball9:16 Holding team accountable9:54 Coachisms10:35 Game Day Traditions11:30 Conditioning12:52 Favorite Basketball Shoe13:30 Life Outside Basketball14:35 Ideal Future15:09 Questions from Instagram19:26 Play calls vs free play20:22 Senior Realizations#basketball #joelgardner #skyridge

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.