Hello Amber,
It was fun reading your essay because I played a lot of basketball during my high school years, I wasn't really in a club, but it was a type of fun unlike anything else. Reading this makes me want to play basketball again,, but I am busy applying for college and as a result incredibly out of shape.
Since this is a personal essay, I don't think I can criticize about your structure. (Not that your essay's disorganized. It's pretty good) But I guess I can point out a couple grammar mistakes. Take a look and please feel free to comment your thoughts.
My interest in joining the team began when a few friends of mine, who were seniors at the time, encouraged me to play. I figured it would be a fun hobby after school to stay in shape and meet some new people with .
----> no need to put 'with' since the sentence goes like, I figured it would be a fun hobby after school to stay in shape and
to meet new people.
So I bought the cheapest stick I could find from Dick's sporting goods, dragged some friends along with me, and showed up at tryouts clueless and eager .
It's an awkward formation... I would put a entire new phrase like, ---- showed up at tryouts being clueless what I am going into but nevertheless eager to accept a new challenge. (something like this)
Also, I think your essay would have a easier flow if you apply more transition words like nevertheless, however, despite, ect...
Overall, very fun essay to read and you used some advanced vocab. Not bad!