Healing Her: Kate Martin

Crowd

(Italics are announcers)

3rd Person Pov:

Welcome everyone to the long awaited Iowa verses UConn. What a packed house, every single seat sold, all 15,500 of them. This game marks the beginning of the season for both these teams. During the pregame interviews we have heard from the Iowa's legendary coach of 24 years. She was asked about her team's improvement since last season. Where she stated, "They have only improved and connected even further from last year." Additionally she was asked about the returning of Junior, Reese Clark, this is what she said. "Yes, we are excited to say that Reese Clark is able to be back on the court, after her long absence from the prior season." And we are thrilled to be able to see her return today. 

We are now going to go to Holly to talk to two of the Iowa players, Kate Martin one of their captains, and Gabbie Marshall, a veteran defensive player. "Thank you Amanda. Kate, Gabbie, how are y'all feeling for the first game of the season?" Gabbie takes the question answering, "We feel confident, the connecting between our team has only improved over the past few months off." "And another question for y'all, Reese Clark is back on the court how will that affect the rest of the team?" Gabbie lets Kate take this one after all it's about her girlfriend. "It's amazing to have Reese back on the court with us and her connection with Caitlin has only strengthened from last season and everyone knows how to bounce off of both her and Caitlin." "Thank you girls." "Thanks Holly." Kate and Gabbie say in unison before walking to the circle of their teammates.

Reese's Pov:

"Alright girls this is it, I know y'all are ready. This is a big first game but if we work together and trust each other we will win this. Have fun and play fair. Starters are Kate, Caitlin, Gabbie, Hannah, and Sydney. Hawkeyes on 3! 1! 2! 3! Hawkeyes!" Coach Bluder says before we cheer with her. I talked to Coach B about not starting since I'm still a little scared about my knee even though I am cleared. She agreed with me and said she would put me in early first quarter if all goes according to plan.

 The starters sit down on the bench high giving each other, hyping each other up, getting locked in for the game. Since UConn is the visiting team they get announced first. But while this is happening Kate pulls me aside from everyone else. "Hey baby, you've got this, this is finally your time to prove all those haters wrong, I am so proud of you for how far you have come." "Thank you Katie" I say hugging her quickly. "I love you baby." "I love you too Katie." After our little moment she walks back over to the bench while I walk to stand next to Jada. "Y'all are disgustingly adorable." She says side hugging me. "Thanks Jades." I say hugging her back.

"Number 3!  Junior Guard! Sydney Affolter! , Number 45! Sophomore Forward! Hannah Stuelke!" Cheering is heard loudly as they are announce but the stadium erupts when the announcer begins to speak again. "And for our seniors! "Number 24! Our defensive lockdown! Gabbie Marshall!" "The glue! Number 20! Kate Martin!" I cheer louder for my girlfriend but don't tell our friends and sister that. "And the sharpshooter! Number 22! Caitlin Clark!" The stadium gets even louder if at all possible. Caitlin runs up and chest bumps Gabbie. As they have a quick huddle in the middle of the court every one of the bench sits back down. I can feel the nerves still especially now that the game is literally fixing to start.

"And we are off! Stuelke tips the ball to Marshall who passes to Clark. A beautiful behind the back pass to Martin for the spinning layup, what a start to the game!"  We are only around 5 minutes into the game and UConn is up by 8, the score being 16:8. Our shots are not falling as well as they need to be. I feel Coach B sit next to me. "You ready kid?" "This soon?" "We need your connection out there." "Yes ma'am." "Go get Sydney, give her a break." "Got it Coach." 

As I walk up to the announcers desk and sit down waiting to be subbed in I can hear the crowd start screaming and clapping loudly. "Well it looks like the Iowa fans have been waiting for this one." I hear the whistle sound and the refs signal me to come in the game. As I stand up and step foot on the court the crowd goes wild. I yell for Syd to tell her that I'm coming in for her. "Look at that after 9 months Reese Clark is finally back in action." I feel Caitlin come behind me and shove me slightly as a way to loosen me up. We are on defense and I am on Paige. I am facing her with my hand on her to keep track of me. "Welcome back mini Clark." She says scuffing up my hair in a teasing manner. "Thanks Bueckers" I say back slapping her hand away from my hair. 

A/n: I am so sorry that I haven't updated in a little bit. I haven't really felt motivated. Thank you guys for all the support.