The championship games are taking place in Richmond this year. The school is going nuts over both teams playing at VCU. The coaches host an insane Pep Rally. Sam and I, Phillip and Jim are paraded in front of the school and the alumni. Then, the spotlight expanded to include the community. Our names are splashed all over the paper. We are loading the buses to a crowd, band and cheerleaders at the school when I spot Randy and Justin. I walk over and he hands me a single rose. "I gave you up for two and a half months. Make today worth it and I'll make tonight even better." Randy smiles a sly grin. I am so nervous that I don't have time for a witty response as we load the buses.
This is my first big entrance and game ever. I head through my team mates onto the court to the song "This is me". This is my walk up song as my stats are being announced. Tia girl you were great this season, I think to myself. Athena nods in agreement. A true legacy to Jim. Randy and Justin could be anywhere in the arena. I look around for a moment to see if I can see them. My mom and dad are in reserved seats for family. I spot them fairly quickly. But right behind them... "Oh my God!" Torri, Steve and George are clapping. I almost lose it on the court. Why does no one tell me when they are visiting? What the hell! I haven't talked to Torri either other than a few "How's life going texts." Tia, you can't think about it now. Athena stamps her foot. The arena is big. Randy and him are miles apart. It is time to play the biggest game of my life. Tia, you must focus.
The game is intense. Everyone is fouling left and right. We go into overtime with the score tied 28 to 28. Sam and I are only are benched a few minutes a half. We are running on pure adrenaline. With seven seconds on the clock, I am fouled shooting a three. It goes in to tie the game again. I get one shot at the free throw line. The whole arena is dead silent as I take the line. There is so much pressure, I pause a moment to breathe. I imagine myself on the court outside my house. Me and the net. No arena. No fans. No Torri. No Randy. Just me and the net. I know the second I release the ball it will be all net. "Swoosh."
The silence is broken as the arena erupts. We move back into defense and Sam steals the ball. The clock winds down and the buzzer sounds. There is noise all around me but the world froze. In slow motion, I see Steve, George and Torri head my way to my right and Randy, Justin, Gary and Jake to my left. Torri makes it first. He picks me up and spins me around. By the time Randy makes it, his grey eyes are blackened.
Coach is calling us to the locker room. I explain in a rush, "Steve, George and Torri meet my friends Randy, Justin, Gary and Jake. Randy these are my cousins from Baltimore and a childhood friend." Hopefully that will defuse the bomb. Randy relaxes for a second. Thank God. "I got to go. I'll be back later. Cuzes, cheer Jim on." I hug Randy and sprint to the locker room. Probably not the best idea to leave this group together, but I have no choice.
Coach and his speech makes us miss half the game. The other girls are chomping at the bit to go back out there. Sam and Mark are still going strong and she wants to watch him play. Coach tells Sam and I to wait a few minutes after the team files out. Sam is on edge. We don't even know the score. "This lovely young women is a recruiter from ODU. This gentleman is from UVA and this lady is from UNC. They would like to talk to you both. Sam especially you before you commit. We will set up meetings with your parents." Coach finishes.
Sam and I make small talk with the recruiters. By the time that's over, the boy's game is in the fourth quarter. We decide to change later and head out to the arena. Sitting with the team, I notice the Boys are all sitting together. There is a minute thirty on the clock and we are up by ten. Jim is winding down the shoot clock as much as he can. He passes the ball to Phillip who is blocked on a layup. No foul is called. The other team heads down the court and scores. Phillip winds the clock down until the confetti falls. This is Jim's last year for High School Ball. He committed to ODU and Phillip to UVA. God, I can't believe they will be gone next year. This is the ending they deserved. I head to Randy while Torri and them are with Jim. "There's my girl. What's the game plan?" He asks kissing me.
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You Don't Know..What you Don't Know
RomanceTia is a good Greek girl growing up in what is considered the Country. One summer in the city of Baltimore changes her attitude about life. She starts her freshmen year of high school with a new found confidence attracting boys of all ranges of th...
