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The crispy air conditioned atmosphere of the gym was a much needed contrast to the humid DC summer heat.
Maia was sweating bullets and she hadn't even laced up her shoes yet. Though, it might of been her anxiety making her heart race rather than the temperature.
Today was the long awaited Final Four game of March Madness for her team.
The 21 year old was finally starting to make a name for herself in the NCAA, and a good performance in this game could give her a shot at the WNBA.
This game was not only to make history for her school, but to possibly fulfill the reality she had been dreaming about since she was 6 of playing professional basketball.
With a deep breath, Maia finished lacing up, and went to start warming up with the rest of her teammates.
As the clock to game time hit zero, her coach huddled her team up to review their plan for tip-off, both if they got the ball or if they had to fall back on defense.
With a quick pep talk from her teammate, their team did their iconic cheer and jogged out on the court.
The bright stadium light were blinding and the roar of the stands sent a ringing sound though Maia's ears.
Never before had she seen so many people watching a game she was playing in, and it wasn't definitely a sight she ever get old of seeing.
Embracing the moment one last time, she took her spot behind their tallest teammate, getting in position for the tip-off.
Looking across center court, Maia caught a pair of eyes staring right back at her.
Daniella Warren.
The other player in the league that was always competing with Maia head to head.
They both played the same position, with practically the same stats, and a similarly skilled team. If anyone had a shot for the WNBA draft, it would be one of them two.
Breaking eye contact with Daniella, Maia looked around at the rest of her teammates, giving them a thumbs up for encouragement.
With the blow of a whistle, the referee finally initiated the start of the game.
Unfortunately, her teammate wasn't able to get a hand on the ball as it got hit to the other team.
Though, Maia jumped on it quick, stealing the ball from the girl who had gotten it, and then sprinted down the court to score her team their first points.
The cheers from their side of the stadium filled Maia with another feeling she could never get sick of.
The rest of the game didn't go quite as smoothly, however.
It was a constant back and forth between the two teams. When one school would take the lead, the other would double down on defense and take it right back.
With the clock dwindling down to the last 10 seconds in the fourth quarter, Maia rushed her teammate to pass her the ball, dribbling it down the court as fast as she could.
Neither of the teams had any timeouts left, which meant Maia had to make a play quick.
They were down by only 2 points. A three pointer and they would win.
Scanning the court for a split second, Maia saw no other option then to take on her own defender by herself. Though, it was the one person she prayed it hadn't been.
Daniella Warren was determined to stop Maia from scoring.
Though, one weakness Maia could see from her attitude was that she would try too hard to get the ball.
Noticing this, Maia pretended to mistakenly dribble the ball close to Daniella, causing her to reach too far to the the right.
Then, Maia crossed behind her back to the left, sending Daniella collapsing to the floor.
With one second left, Maia took one last dribble before chucking the ball up...
And making the three.
Just as the ball swished through the net, the buzzer rang through the stadium and her team ran towards Maia to celebrate making it to the finals.
Through all the commotion, Maia wasn't able to see Daniella still on the floor in excruciating pain.
——
"She tore her ACL," Aiden said, taking a seat next to Maia at the kitchen counter.
"Ok?" she borderline yelled, "I still don't understand what the big deal is!"
"Daniella Warren, Maia!" Aiden exclaimed, trying to hint at something he was surprised Maia hadn't noticed before.
After dwelling in confusion for a few seconds, it finally hit her.
