It was the briefest of gestures but one recognized as a universal sign for a moment of triumph.
Across every level of athletics — whether scoring a touchdown in football, serving up an ace in tennis or swishing a big bucket in basketball — a player lifting both arms into the air is an instant joyous expression of an emotional high.
No words needed.
So when Zanarea Barber shot both spindly arms skyward at the moment her 3-point shot splashed through the net earlier this season, the significance wasn’t lost on any of her Hixson High School teammates, coaches or fans inside the gym. All of them also responded by raising their arms and waving their hands wildly to celebrate Barber.
Although she could not hear the applause pouring from the bleachers behind her as she trotted to the opposite end of the court, as Barber — known simply as ‘Z’ to her teammates — turned to set up on defense, she saw the celebratory commotion along the Hixson sideline, causing a wide smile to overtake her face.