Basketball fans usually remember the big shots, loud crowds, and highlight plays, but every season also includes moments players would rather forget. Even the Star Valley Braves have had their fair share of embarrassing memories that still get talked about long after the final buzzer sounds.

For Dylan Shumway, one of those moments came at the free throw line during a home game. With the gym quiet and all eyes on him, Shumway released a free throw that came up short and missed the rim entirely. An air ball at home is something no player wants to experience, and it is a moment that still lingers. Reflecting on the moment, Shumway said, “It was something I’ll never forget, how embarrassing it was.” Ironically, confidence has never been an issue for Shumway. Growing up, he would have his parents turn off the lights and shine a spotlight on him so he could make dramatic introductions for imaginary basketball games in his living room, long before the real crowds ever existed.

Lincoln Liddiard’s most unforgettable moment came during his sophomore season in one of the most intense situations a player can face. With the game on the line and his team needing a basket to win, Liddiard found himself wide open and took the shot. Instead of finding the rim, the ball struck the side of the backboard. The buzzer sounded soon after, sealing the loss and leaving behind a moment that teammates and fans still remember.

Mason Kleeman’s embarrassing memory came in a different way — by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. During a game against Sandpoint, Kleeman was positioned under the basket as a Sandpoint player missed a three-point attempt. Before he could react, another Sandpoint player soared in, grabbed the ball, and finished with a two-hand dunk over Kleeman. In an instant, Kleeman became part of an opposing team’s highlight play, a moment no defender ever hopes to be involved in.

While these moments may be embarrassing, they are also part of what makes sports memorable. Every athlete experiences plays they wish they could redo, and those moments often become the stories that bring teams closer together. For the Star Valley Braves, these memories serve as reminders that even in the most uncomfortable moments, the game continues — and sometimes, those moments are what make the season unforgettable.