VYPE Magazine and Josh Murray sat down for a quick interview about his basketball team and Ada High School and we look back on that time when Josh grabbed the Ada flag and went center court.
Here’s more from the senior, Josh Murray.
VYPE: Josh, when did you start playing basketball?
Murray: I have played basketball my entire life for as long as I can remember. I’ve had some sort of basketball in my hand whether it be on a Little Tikes goal or a boys and girl club league.
VYPE: What does your team and teammates mean to you? Especially after going through a tough and sad situation.
Murray: My teammates have been through a lot together this year with passing of our teammate Wyatt Brown. My teammates to me are like a second family. Throughout all the ups and downs we stay together, and we keep showing up every day to keep working. That reliability, and the ability to be able to count on them in day and day out, is something that cannot be overstated. I love my teammates and I will do anything to help them out at any point and they’ll do the same for me. This may seem like a typical response, making it seem as if we’re a perfect team and that everyone always speaks well upon their teammates. However, when I say these things, it is with most genuine heart. My teammates have been there for me when I needed them most. After the passing of Wyatt, there is significant shoes to fill, and no one could ever fill the impact that he had however, my teammates have built me up and helped me step up to the plate on the basketball floor. My entire life I had been just role player, or end of the bench type of guy. I only came to Ada my junior year and I felt as if I was immediately accepted in. I’ve moved a lot in my life having many different teammates, but I wouldn’t choose anyone else then the team I’ve got right now. I hadn’t started a game of basketball since the fifth grade before this year but, my teammates had faith in me and empowered me to be that guy. And for that I owe my teammates loads of gratitude.
VYPE: Why is a great to be a student-athlete at Ada High School?
Murray: I believe the things that I love about being a student here at Ada, aren’t attributed to me being an athlete. However, being a student-athlete has given me opportunities to grow one as a person and secondly given me a chance to have deeper friendships with my teammates where we can pour into each other. I am very involved in multiple facets of Ada, from Student Council to Performing Arts and I would say these things in conjunction with football and basketball, has given me the chance to meet many phenomenal people. I would say probably the greatest experience I have had with the students of Ada was this past year when we played Kingston the Friday after Wyatt had passed away. The gym was absolutely filled to brim. It was the most electric atmosphere I had ever felt. We won the game afterwards I jumped into the student section. It’s hard to describe the emotions I was feeling in that moment. I took our spirit flag, the one Wyatt ran out before every football game, and was waving it around the court. At center court I just stopped and broke into tears. The feeling of all the crowd around me, my teammates, my friends, all just taking in the moment. I would say that’s my favorite part of being a student-athlete here at Ada is that whether or not they are on the court with me or in the stands, it means something to everyone. From parents to students, Ada sports matter to this town, and they are with me in the wins in losses. That mutual understanding and matching of all the emotions from everyone in that gym is what I feel it means to be an athlete at Ada High.
VYPE: Strong stuff Josh. Thank you for sharing that. What is life like when the lights are off and you have some down time to yourself?
Murray: Well, free time is luxury I rarely have, between sports, organizations, and having two jobs however, when I do have free time I spend it hanging out with my friends or watching movies/tv shows. My friends are one of the most important parts of my life and spending as much time with them as possible is a priority. Whether it be driving around or just simply hanging out, my friends are my favorite part of life. If I’m not busy, or not hanging out with my friends you can usually see me watching a movie or a new tv show. I want to major in film in college, so I take in media as often as I can. Always breaking down films and shows and seeing director’s choices is something I’m quite passionate about. It’s not just good or great films, I also enjoy watching comically bad movies as well and trying to do the same analysis on those.
