Courtside Hearts

Chapter 1 - Young Captain

Colet Vergara. As the point guard and team captain, she carries the responsibility of orchestrating the game, directing her teammates with precision and authority. Colet's skills on the court are unmatched—she's a versatile player who can seamlessly switch between offense and defense, whether it's making a clutch shot, driving the ball down the court, or setting up the perfect play.

Colet lay on her bed, the basketball resting in her hand as she replayed a particular moment in her mind.

[Flashback]

Commentator 1: "This is it, folks! The final shot that will determine if BINI University makes it to the Top 16 of the tournament. With just 4 seconds on the clock and a score of 79-81, Aspire University holds a 2-point lead. BINI University needs a 3 to win or a 2 to tie. What decision will they make in these crucial moments?"

Commentator 2: "The question is, who will take the last shot? Will it be Vergara, or will she set up a play for her teammates?"

Colet's chest pounded with every beat. This was it—her dream and the team's dream hinged on this moment. For years, BINI University had never qualified for the Top 16, and this win would be historic for the school.

With the ball in her hands, Colet faced a ticking clock 4... Two defenders closed in on her, but Colet passed the ball to a teammate. 3... The solid defense made it difficult to find an open play or draw a foul. 2... The ball came back to Colet.

Commentator 1: "Ball in Vergara's hands, guarded tightly. No time for anything else. Vergara steps back and takes a fadeaway three for the win!"

The crowd fell silent as the ball arced through the air, seemingly suspended in slow motion within Colet's vision.

Commentator 1: "No good! Aspire University advances to the Top 16!"

The shot missed. Colet stood frozen as the other team celebrated, jumping and shouting with joy. Her teammates on the bench looked downcast, some with tears in their eyes.

A hand tapped Colet's shoulder. It was their coach. "Hey, it's okay, Vergara. It was a tough shot, and I'm not even mad you took it. Don't blame yourself. Let's go."

[End of Flashback]

Colet felt a pang of guilt as she recalled the missed shot from last season's game, a wound that had yet to heal. She pushed herself off the bed and began preparing for the day ahead. Today marked the first day of her second year, and with it came the start of a new basketball season. Her coach had texted earlier about the upcoming tryouts, scheduled for the following week. Colet knew this was her chance to shake off the lingering disappointment and focus on the fresh opportunities that lay ahead.

As Colet arrived on campus, she felt the weight of stares and whispers from her fellow students. Her reputation as a standout athlete made her a well-known figure around the school. Ignoring the attention, she made her way directly to the basketball court, her favorite sanctuary. The empty court, bathed in the morning light, offered her a rare moment of solitude. Here, away from the bustling campus and the expectations placed upon her, Colet could lose herself in the rhythmic bounce of the ball and the echo of her footsteps on the polished floor.

Colet is the epitome of a lone wolf. She's intensely focused on her game, often lost in her thoughts, which can make her seem distant or unapproachable to others.

Despite her popularity, Colet prefers solitude, finding peace in the quiet moments away from the noise of school and the court. Her nonchalance masks a deep-seated passion for basketball, a sport she views not just as a game but as a means of expressing herself when words fail. The pressure of being a young captain, however, sometimes wears on her, leading to moments of irritability, especially when others pry into her personal life.