Love Is In The Air

First Meeting

"Hai!" "Hai!" "Hai!" "Hai!"

The cheers resonated around the arena as the voices cheered the player who dribbled the ball. Three players from the opposite team were blocking his way while two of his teamsmates stood either sides, waiting for the captain to pass the ball.

The interschool basketball game was being held between the Universities in Cleveland. Case Western Reserve University versus John Caroll University. It was one of the biggest rivalry as the present captain of John Caroll, Gu Hai  has served for one year in Case Western Reserve and has played for that team too.

"Pattrick." Hai, the captain, shouted and passed the ball to the boy in left of jersey no.9 who jumped up high to catch the ball but the other boy behind him from opposite team jumped higher and caught the ball resulting in colliding with jersey no. 9. The opposite team member passed the ball to his fellow teammates as he fell down on jersey no. 9 in process injuring him unintentionly.

"Ohhhhhhhh!" Once again the the sound resonated followed by various hushed murmurs.

"BO!" Hai called out as everyone made their way to Daniel Pattrick who clutched his leg closed to himself as he gritted his teeth enduring the pain.

"Pattrick will you be able to play." Hai sounded worried. Only two scores to surpass them and such an essential player getting injured.

"Yo Cap, just-" Daniel stood up but immediately staggered.

"Holy Lord! You have a sprained foot. How will you?" Another teammate chirped when Hai again shouted.

"LAN BO!" A boy with brown hair came running to them as he stood beside Hai.

"Cap!"

"You will play at his place." Bo nodded while he looked at the injured player in concern.

The referee announced the substitution as the ball comes to live again as he passes the ball to the new player, Bo, on an in-bound pass. The game proceeds as Bo passes his ball to captain and runs towards the basket. Hai very carefully runs through the opposition team, dribbling the ball and passes the ball back to Bo who in one shot baskets it.

"Woahhhhhh!" One side of the arena celebrates while the other side oh-ed at the point. Teammates pat Bo's back as he held a wide, proud smile on his face. The referee whistled again as everyone went back to their positions. The scores were tied. Only a point was needed by both teams to win and the clock was ticking fast, 2:59 minutes it showed.

The ball was live again as it was dribbled and passed from one player to another. The see-saw battle continued almost till the end until there was about 1 minutes left in the game. From that point forward, the teams traded baskets until Hai took possession with about 30 seconds left. Hai drove the length of the court and hit a running layup to go up 22-22 with 10 seconds left.

What transpired next is one of the greatest moments in college basketball history. Gu Hai threw the inbound pass the length of the court where Lan Bo caught it at the foul line. He took one dribble and turned to the right and hit a fade-away jump shot as time expired for a 22-23.

"WOAHHHHHH!!" Celebrations were all over the John Caroll Students pavallion who hooted and enjoyed as the confettis showered from two corners of the arena. All the boys formed a group hug as they cheered for their dynamic win. The boys carried Bo and threw him in air, catching him back, cheering the new boy who stole the show by last two crucial baskets.