It's Just A Game

Chapter 10 Hustle, Girlies!

The drive to the school was short and swift as I munched on the fries like a hungry monkey. I went out of Luke's car trying not to spill the coffee on my shirt.

"That's a nasty combination, Myah," Luke said slamming the driver's door.

"What?" I inquired licking my finger and halted on my tracks.

"Fries and Coffee." He said nonchalantly. "It's not gonna fill you up."

I laughed. "It tastes heavenly, Lukey. Or maybe I just have weird taste buds."

We went directly to the gym and the team was almost complete. They all geared up with their practice uniforms. I can feel the energy and enthusiasm as I moved my way to the bench. I dropped the backpack next to me and placed my coffee on the floor careful not to bump it.

Jessie came in out of breath from his run while looking up at the huge clock showing 11:50 A.M. The boys are very much aware that if any one of them is late, the entire team gets penalized.

Chase was in the middle of the court tucking his jersey in. Randell and Phil fixing the laces of their rubber shoes at the sideline. Jessie changed his shirt with a jersey. The other players are all settled. I see three familiar junior players talking to each other as they nodded at me. Seth Turner, Dave Bent, and Jameson Taylor are definitely good players in the team. And we have sophomore tug duo, the Marino twins Xanthy and Xander who happen to be my classmates in Physics and Literature. Last but not the least, the two freshies who passed Coach Stibb's rigorous tryouts, Allen Apoch and Kian Jules.

"All right, girlies! Warm up!" I shouted as I stood up from the bench and pulling the sleeves of my brother's varsity jacket by the elbow.

"My oh my, our little hellion is back," Luke said as the guys eyed me with surprise.

"I love what I'm seeing," Jessie commented.

My hands on my hips as I tried to impose authority. "I'm just here. I can hear you. Hussle, girlies! We don't have all the time in the world."

They didn't say any words after as Luke started from the baseline running into the sideline throughout the entire court five times followed by lateral movement. It is usually Luke's task to jump-start the warm-up exercises.

The boys were sweating as they kept moving around this time back and forth both end lines. Coach Stibbs came in wearing a white baseball cap with the Sentinels logo on it, white shirt and faded blue jeans. He has this contented look on his face as he surveyed the boys on the court and was followed by Mr. Eddie, one of the P.E teacher.

"That's my girl. You make them work their butts off." Coach Stibbs said as he came nearer to my area by the sideline bench. I just nodded and smiled meekly.

He clapped his hands twice as a signal to stop and waved at the team to come over. "Well, you seem all fired up. Let play some ball then. I'll choose the members of each team. Team A with me. Team B with Myah." The boys wholeheartedly.

"On my team, Luke, Phil, Randell, Allen, and Kian. Jameson will be my reserve. The rest will join Myah's." The coach did the roll call as I watch Luke did high five with his assigned teammates."

"Dave, you'll be my reserve." The junior player winked at me as an acknowledgment.

"Did you just dared to flirt with our sunshine, Dave?"Jessie had his left arm and clamped on Dave by the neck playfully.

"Stop it, Jessie." I punched him by the shoulder. "Coach, how many quarters?" I asked as the coach provided instructions to his team.

"Two quarters only. Mr. Eddie will be the referee." He has his hands folded together by the chest.

"Any consequences for the losing party?" Jessie intervened.

"None for today. I'll go easy on you." The coach smirked that shut up the team clown. "I just want to see if everybody is still in shape after a long rest.

If I know Coach so well, he just wanted a sneak peek of Chase ability to gel with the team.

"Any game plan, Myah?" Chase asked that made my eyes flew in his direction.

"No game plan. Xanthy and Xander, I'll leave Luke to you. Chase and Jessie will be our one-two punch. Seth gives them hell with your long-range shots." I'm trying to put on a strong fort but I can't believe that I'm jittery inside from excitement and nervousness even if it's just a mock game.

A whistle was blown for the opening jump ball, Luke got hold of it and dribbled it to their frontcourt and passed it to Allen for a fadeaway shot. Coach's team drew first blood. Chase received Seth's pass from the baseline.

The defense was kind of tight when they reached to pass the half court but Chase maneuvered out of it easily and handed the ball to Jessie guarded by Kian but still manage to shoot it from the corner. The score was tied at 2-2 on the first few minutes of the game.

First twelve minutes have passed, Coach's team was ahead by four points. 25-21. We stopped for a five-minute break before the second half resumed.

I swear I can feel frustration creeping into me with Chase's three turnovers. "I want the ball, Myah." He was breathing evenly compared with the rest of the boys. I looked at him with his fierce determination.

"Okay, guys! Give the ball to Chase but be careful with your turnovers. Your mess is all over the floor." I said it directly as we looked at each other and he just nodded. "Jessie, I'm substituting you with Dave. We're not even beyond the halftime of a real game but you're already out of breath."

Jessie shaking his head and sat on the bench without further complaint. He grabbed his water bottle and gulped the content." I'm sorry, sunshine."

"It's okay. We just need to work on your conditioning." I said with my back on him while watching the game continue.

My team almost took the lead on the nine-minute mark of the game with Seth's missed three points. The coach was just a few feet away from me and I can feel him being frustrated for such wasted opportunity on the basket. "Myah, we need more drills for Seth. He has to be consistent on those three-point shots. He might break under pressure."

"Noted, Coach." I jotted using the notebook I've been tucking under my arm the entire time. I narrated about Chase history and performance as he kept on nodding his head

On the last minute, the score was at 37-35 in favor of Coach's team. It was a close game The twins were effective in defending against Luke but were very effective on the rebound field.

" Not too bad, guys!" Coach Stibbs said after Mr. Eddie blew the whistle to end the game. The boys squatted unceremoniously on the hardcourt trying to catch their breath.

"Chase, I'm happy to see your A game though your turnovers are making me sick." Coach touched the bridge of his nose. " I'm expecting more from you." He pointed out all the mistakes, observations and missed during the game. The boys took a ten-minute break before drills started.