The Grove Chronicles

Chapter 59

Gameday March 13 1992 District Title vs  Prophet High  

Bethel had beaten the Manchester Sixers the previous game, to advance to their second straight district title. Ezail laid on the bench with his headphones, blasting Fu Schnickens, "La Schmoove"  

He let all his worries, emotions, trials, tribulations, drain out to the rhythm of the rap song. He held two pictures on his chest. Cora his mother, and Asia, looking at them with passion. 

Suddenly, coach Shakur came in the locker room ready to command his troops. " Alright fellas, let's bring it in!"  " Judgement day fellas..." " It's time to avenge against the Prophet Tigers." " We can beat them, I mean why not?" " Teams don't hunt their rivals .....they know where they are already." Coach said sternly.  

" Last year is in the past." " Y'all got pride, so use that as a push.....'   "Do it for Prince...." " Lord knows the boys soul is in good hands. "  " More importantly, do it for yourselves, I think this will be another one of life's test's . 

"Don't fail fellas!" The boys all nodded in agreement. " So don't let no off court issues bother y'all.." " This is the time to go all out!' Ezail adding to the dialogue.  " Hell yeah nigga!" some of the players exclaimed. 

" Alright now lets get out there and beat the hell outta somebody!" Coach roared . 

The Bruins took the floor at the Piru Center, It was the largest crowd for a high school sporting event.  Signs in the crowd read  "KILL BETHEL!" or " ERASE EZAIL!" from Tiger fans. Still, none of that mattered. Ezail was locked in and focused  to avenge last years lost.  The Bruins won this jump ball. 

Ezail dribbled the ball up court, making a play. " White ATL!" " White ATL!" " Come on Ty kick out man!" he screeched.  He passed it to Ty who shot, but bricked the shot. 

Kyle launched in the air to grab the rebound, putting in for the score. The Bethel section cheered loudly and proudly.  On the next play Ezail tried hard to guard Khalil Baxter up full court. " Get off me boy!" Baxter exclaimed getting irked. 

" Naw I aint slackin this year nigga!" Ezail grinned.  He swarmed all over the Prophet point guard, making sure he didn't make a single move towards the basket. " Come on ref, call the foul!" Suddenly Ezail stripped Baxter, running a full sprint down the floor like a cheetah. 

He raised up for a 360 dunk slamming it down with two hands. Bethel fans cheered loud and proudly. 

Bethel sucked the life out of Prophets offense. Kyle was getting verbally bolstered  by coach Shakur, for his defensive errors, so he once and for all showed his elder that the days of slacking on defense, were over. 

By halftime Bethel lead 45-22. Coach Shakur was jovial and happy for his young men. It looked like they were in the drivers seat to winning the state championship . 

" Keep at em boys, them fools don't have an answer for any of you!" "   Continue to trap em and dont let up!" coach exclaimed. 

" We got this y'all, lets get down and boogie, it's our dance floor too!' Ezail stated. " Damn straight yo!" Kyle agreed. " Let's back out here and fuck some shit up!" Ezail said commanding his teammates. 

The Bruins came out with reckless abandon. Kyle   had hit a hot streak, and Ezail of course did what he did best.... score. He hit floaters, nailed four  straight NBA 3's including the highlight dunk of the season........ a windmill dunk in traffic of two feet. Scouts were in the building, shaking their heads or laughing in amazement. " That kid aint real!" " What the fuck did his momma feed him?!" they would exclaim.  

Ezail finished the game with 39 points 12 assist 11 rebounds and 4 blocks, all stats  from a good ole All-American player.  

When the final buzzer sounded, Bruins fans stormed the court, despite security trying to halt the celebration. Coach approached his star pupil, lifting him up in the air. " Aw man put me down coach!"  Ezail giggled.

" Hush boy!" " I'm too proud of ya!"  " No seriously, I 'm glad you full filled your potential this year, I love you young brother."  "'Love you too Coach. " 

Chip Bonner had grabbed Kyle for an interview =. " Kyle, you guys took home the title in basketball, for the first time since 1974, how does it feel young man?"  " Aw man, it feels great Chip." " Coach was hard on us all year, but we fought through regardless."  " How hard was it to overcome last years lost to Prophet  to finally beat them? " 

" Not hard at all man, we just put the past behind and stay focused."  " Okay, well congrats Mr. Ketchmore, I got Ezail Harris aka Bubbachuck with me here...." " Bub, first in football, now in basketball, must feel good to be only a junior kickin some tail out there huh?" 

" Man Chip, I'm just grateful for my God given ability and passion for sports, words can't describe the feeling yo.."   " Bubba you guys seemed to out run and outscore your opponents this season by wide margins, how did you keep up the pace?"  

" It's just focus and toughness, thats the way of the world..." " If you aint got no toughness in this world aint no need to be waking up." Ezail now serious. 

" Well congratulations, on two state championships kid!"  

The team took a group photo with Ezail and Kyle being non stop chatter boxes... Little did Ezail know this would be his last basketball championship....ever.