On the sand of time

Chapter -27: The final match and the new year's eve

It's Ador vs Geongam international (GI) for the final match. GI has three foreigners in the team all known for their strength and aggression. They played aggressive attacks and Ador is also known for its persistent attacks. The match's going to be on fire. Minji's parents along with Danielle's dad would be there to watch the match. The girls came super early and sat in the front rows hoping that Minji's parents and Danielle's dad would sit near them.

The match would be held in the school's arena that only hosts special events like today.  It's already a housefull before half an hour of the game. The girls were chatting with each other when Hyein's parents and Danielle's dad came in along with the school director and some teachers. Hyein waved and called her dad and as they expected they sat in front of them just behind the row reserved for the players. Danielle's dad gave Haerin a warm hug saying it was nice to see her again. The girls greeted all of them happily.

Soon after players from both the team came into the court. Minji and Danielle greet their parents and the girls before joining their teammates in warming up.

Both Minji and Danielle started the first quarter. It was a heated game from the start and the players were neck on neck. GI was leading by 2 points as they were the offensive team but 8 minutes into the game, Ador turned the table with Minji's consecutive 3s. Since then the foul play from GI started and they were provoking and attacking Minji. As for Danielle, she still hides from getting the spotlight yet she was directing the momentum of the game.

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In the second quarter Minji lost her cool and was reacting aggressively to the provocations. Minji was subbed out and GI was leading the game again. Minji's parents were quiet when her daughter sat sulking on her seat. Earlier they were shouting different things to her over the noise. The mom asks her daughter to calm down while the dad tells his daughter to shove the opponents away!

    

During the break, Danielle's dad bought drinks and snacks for the girls. The dads told the girls about their basketball in their youth and how Minji and Danielle inherited their good genes. The girls noticed that Danielle's dad was especially nice to Haerin and he'd always turn around to Haerin and say 'you see that?' whenever Danielle does something cool in the game. It seems like they were bound together closer by Danielle. They already looked like a family.
   

In the 3rd quarter, Danielle was on the bench while Minji started. GI still led the game. There was tugging, pushing and trash talks, everyone was furiousand foul was called every minute. 4 minutes into the quarter and Danielle was in. Danielle's and Minji's magic started then. Danielle was getting noticed and in just 5 minutes the game was tied. Only 1 min in the clock before the 3rd quarter ends and Minji was about to throw a 3 and she was pushed to the floor. She got up at lightning speed and punched the person who pushed her. Ador called for a time out and successfully avoided a fight that almost broke out.
      
 

In the last quarter, the opponents not only defended Minji hard but also kept an eye on Danielle. They knew the threat Danielle possessed and was focusing more on her which frustrated Danielle. During the last 7 minutes, a switch flicked on and Danielle came out the shadow and was absorbing the spotlight. She breaks ankles, scores 3s easily and even dunks a basketball when physically provoked. Everyone was experiencing a new Danielle. It was a joy to watch her. The usually calm and soft spoken Danielle was gone. She pushed people, savagely replied to trash talks and was as aggressive as her provokers.

Minji and Danielle scored left and right, Danielle was good at stealing and Minji was ever ready for counter attacks. Both of them were panting and out of breath when Ador called their last time out of the game. GI fought back till the very last minute but Ador won with a narrow 4 point difference. And  Danielle got the MVP! Sadly, it'll be her first and last MVP award in a basketball match.