<i>The Beginning, December 14, 2006</i>
Sierra Granger, the youngest of the Granger kids, sat with her parents in her high school gymnasium during the State Semi-Finals Game cheering for her school team, The Fighting Herons of Hillside High School. She wasn't just cheering for the team but for her twin brothers, Darius and Derrick, and secretly their former best friend, Cameron Richards.
The game was in the final quarter as their opponents, The Mighty Rams of Gentry High School, had the ball. The Rams were leading the game by two points. The Herons had two choices to win this. They could make the steal, go for a lay-up, and tie the game which would lead into overtime and hopefully the win, or they could steal the ball, pass it to their point shooter for a three-point shot and win the game at the buzzer.
Darius and Derrick wanted to win, so with two minutes left on the clock the boys looked at each other and knew it was time for "their" move. They had practiced on it for ages, planned and tried until, to them, it was perfect. Derrick approached the Ram's guard, diverting his attention as his brother Darius came up from behind. Derrick blocked the guard while Darius came closer and executed their well practice move by successfully stealing the ball from the guards right side.
Sierra held her breath knowing if the boys could pull this off they were going to State. Her heart pounded loudly. Her eyes were glued on the court watching the action so intently, everyone else in the gym faded away. This was the moment her brothers had been waiting for. She closed eyes and prayed, >"Let it work! Let it work! Let it work!"< Sierra opened her eyes to the watch the final seconds of the game.
"Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!" roared the crowd. Everyone on the Heron's side were on their feet, stomping and yelling. The Grangers boys had done it again. Nothing would stop them now. The Heron's finally had the ball, there was one minute forty-five seconds left in the game.
Cameron, whom no one was watching, assumed his position at the three point line. Derrick brought the ball back down the court. He successfully blocked an interception from the Rams and passed the ball to Cameron. He aimed and shot. "Whoosh!" Nothing but nets right at the buzzer, and just like that the Herons won the game. The Heron's had just defeated their biggest rivals, The Rams and were headed to the State Championships.
The crowd went crazy with Sierra and her parents screaming the loudest. People rushed the courts to celebrate with the winning team.
After a while the excitement began to wear off and everyone headed home. Sierra and her parents waited patiently in front of the gym for Darius and Derrick to come out of the locker rooms.
Marvin and Marge were so proud of their sons because they knew how hard they worked to accomplish tonight's win. When the boys came their parents immediately grabbed them in a tight embrace.
Marvin hugged his sons, his heart filled with pride he said, "You boys made me proud tonight. I knew you could win this. I never doubted you for a second."
"Hmm! He knows y'all got your talent from me." boasted Mom. "Back in the day I lead my school to two State Championships. I'm so proud of you boys," Mom said as she hugged each boy tightly. "Now let's head on home so you boys can get some rest."
Cameron stood off to the side and watched the Granger family embrace one another. He knew this was a big moment for them but could not stop the sharp pain of jealousy that speared through his heart. <i>Did they know how lucky they were? There was a time he would have been included in that group hug. But that time had passed, there was no need to travel down memory lane.</i>
His Dad had to work, so he was unable to come to the game. Being a single parent his father often worked overtime to earn extra income and tonight was no different.
