Heart thumping, lungs groaning, and palms sweaty, every muscle in your body begs for rest. But no, there is still time on the clock and points to be scored.

The roar of the crowd fuels the fire of the close game as the ball is thrown at your chest. Seizing it from the air, you have no time to waste. With swift calculation, you propel the orange ball toward the backboard, your wrist flicking the ball up and out. It lands in the net with a satisfying swoosh. The crowd erupts, as the commentator announces, “Neeeeal Mosser with thu-ree points.”

Senior Neal Mosser, a boys basketball team standout, has dedicated himself to basketball since he was 3 years-old. He feels these exact sensations multiple times a week from late November to early March, all high school boys basketball season, not counting club basketball with ETG Midwest during the summer.

The high school sports season can be grueling for any student-athlete, especially with the long hours one must dedicate to the technique-dependent sport of basketball, but Mosser loves the game all the same.

“My favorite thing about high school basketball has to be the teammate aspect. We have this family bond where we are always rooting for each other and want the best for each other… we have a goal in mind,” Mosser said.

Mosser was recently recognized as the Woodhouse Auto Family Athlete of the Week. He considers this accomplishment, along with becoming the all-time leader in 3-point career field goals in Millard North history, a team effort.

“[This recognition] is just another testament to my teammates and the type of bond we’ve always been able to build. You just have to keep working,” Mosser said.

And Mosser’s not done yet.

With the state championship right around the corner, Mosser and the boys basketball team are ready to make their fifth straight appearance in the final championship game, hopefully taking home the hardware.

“Neal’s just a hard worker, taking care of business in the classroom and on the court. He’s a kid who will bust his tail in practice, and it shows,” head boys basketball coach Michael Etzelmiller said.

Off the court, Mosser devotes himself to multiple other activities, including helping out with the Special Needs program. Unlike many athletes, he openly portrays multiple sides of himself, which one can see in the classroom and other settings of his life.

“He first started off as a volunteer for us, but he did such a great job that we hired him as a para. He knows how to build meaningful connections with the students and becomes genuine friends with them,” Special Education teacher Allison Reznicek said.

Through the Special Needs program, Mosser and the students have learned more about each other and developed skills that will follow them throughout their lives.

“I love that I’m able to walk in there and regardless of what day I’m having, they’re always having a good time and put a smile on my face,” Mosser said.

Mosser is a cherished contributor to the program, as both students and teachers have expressed.

“Neal has been a great role model, for not just the program, but the whole school. If everyone could be as kind and welcoming as he is, it would make this school a better place than it is now,” Reznicek said.

Recently committing to Black Hills State University, Mosser additionally looks ahead at a horizon of new opportunity post-graduation.

“For college, I’m just looking forward to meeting new people, forming new relationships and playing,” Mosser said.  “That’s my goal.”

Even after Mosser graduates, he recognizes he’ll always have a home at Millard North, whether he’s standing on the PVC tiles in the basketball court or on the carpeted floor of the Special Needs hallway.