The competition had just gone up another level.
We'd been grinding for months now. Training sessions, drills, runs. We were putting in the hours, not just to get better but to show the world who we were. But even with the effort, I could feel it—the moment we outgrew our age group.
KJ, Kyle, and I had all been rising through the ranks. KJ, 17, was pushing the boundaries at U19. Kyle, at 12, was already showing his skills at the U15 level, and me—at just 9—I was starting to hold my own in U12. But we were too good for our respective age groups.
The time had come to make the jump.
The Move Up
It wasn't an easy transition, though.
KJ felt it first. Moving from U17 to U19 wasn't just about the talent gap. It was the physicality. The speed of play. The older guys were bigger, stronger, and faster. Not only did KJ have to adjust to their style, but he also had to adjust to the tension in the air.
"I don't care if they're bigger," he'd say, adjusting his boots. "I've got the speed, and I've got the mind. Let them try to stop me."
But it wasn't just the physicality. KJ had to learn how to fight for space. The defenders weren't the same as the ones he'd faced before—they knew how to handle players like him, using their strength to hold him back and their speed to chase him down. But KJ's IQ always gave him an edge. Even though he was smaller, he used his speed and agility to evade the strongest challenges.
Kyle faced a similar challenge. He was already known for his insane dribbling at the U12s, but stepping into U15 meant facing defenders who knew how to read his moves. It was harder to get past them now that they knew he'd go for the nutmeg if given the chance. But Kyle was relentless. His quick bursts of speed paired with his ability to stay on his feet made him hard to stop.
Then there was me.
I was the youngest of us all, but I was starting to break through. U12 was a whole new world for me. I wasn't used to facing players who were so much stronger. But I wasn't going to let that stop me. I knew I had something special—my vision on the ball was unmatched. And now, I had to show the coaches and my teammates that I could keep up with the bigger kids.
The Rivalry and the Struggle
It wasn't just about the physical struggles, though. There was a sense of rivalry, too. Moving into older age groups meant we had to prove ourselves. We weren't just the new guys—we were the younger guys who had something to prove. And some of the older players weren't too happy about that.
When we showed up to the new practice sessions, there were a few sidelong glances from some of the older players. It wasn't just about our talent—it was about us taking spots that some of them felt should've gone to players who had been there longer.
But that only fueled us more.
KJ was the first one to break the silence. "They're just mad 'cause they know we're coming for their spots," he said one day after practice, shaking his head. "Let them talk. Let them doubt. I'll show them what happens when you mess with us."
Kyle was more reserved but just as determined. "They don't know how hungry we are," he said, eyes focused ahead. "They'll find out soon enough."
And me? I knew I was ready to show them all why we belonged. I wasn't just Kareem anymore—I was a force to be reckoned with.
The Challenge of Chemistry
Of course, there was the issue of chemistry. We weren't used to playing with players who hadn't grown up with us. KJ had gotten used to the idea of making those runs behind defenders with KJ, and Kyle had perfected his combination play with the U12 boys. But the older teams played at a different pace, a faster rhythm. We had to learn the unspoken language of the game again.
Still, we adjusted. KJ kept his head up, watching for those runs behind defenders. Kyle slipped into his moves, smooth and precise, cutting through the defense like they weren't even there. And me? I played the game my way—quick, intelligent, always two steps ahead.
The Mentality
But despite all the physical and mental challenges, one thing remained constant: we thrived under pressure. We loved the big moments, the noise of the crowd, the feeling of being doubted. We'd always loved that quote: "Pressure either makes diamonds or dust." And in our minds, we were better than diamonds.
At every practice, we pushed each other. Every drill, every pass, every goal—we competed, not just for ourselves but for each other. And at the end of each session, we left everything on the field, knowing that we were only one step closer to our goal: proving the world wrong and showing that we were meant to play at the highest level.
The Journey Continues
We weren't just players anymore. We were a team—a force that would stop at nothing to prove we belonged at the top. And even though the road was tougher than we'd expected, we knew we were built for it. The grind wasn't over. It was just beginning.
The world would see what we were made of. And they wouldn't be able to deny it.