Commentator 2: for a team playing without their two firepower. They are doing quite well.
Commentator 1: if you see the current score line and still think they are doing quite well, I'll be forced to question your sanity.
Commentator 2: it's just 24-30. It's not that much of a gap.
Commentator 1: except this is a game of basketball, 1 point is more than enough to win you a game. Looking at laurels corner, you'll see their coach Mr Bayo smiling. I'm guessing he already knows his team is moving on.
Commentator 2: again I'll say this. Don't write Starling off, even coach John is looking calm and collected.
Commentator 1: wait a moment. We have James, down to the other Simone, making a chest pass to Jace, is he going for the layup?. No, he makes a dummy, passes back to James and 2 points to Starling Strike. 26-30, right at the last second of the first quarter.
Commentator 2: this is what I'm talking about, don't write Starling off.
Commentator 1: it's time for the first quarter break, this game is yet to just be finalised, stick around.
Coach fuckface: damn. You guys are actually doing better than I thought you would.
Jace: leave it to my uncle to raise and kill the team spirit.
Team: (laughing)
Me: uhmmm, coach, can I say something?.
Coach fuckface: yeah you can, come on up.
Me: I've been watching them play, not as a fan, but as a fellow player. And I've been studying their repeated patterns.
Jace: let's hear it.
Me: James, aside Jensen and I, you're the next fast thing we have. Can I task you with marking Anthony?.
James: you're joking right?.
Me: do I look like I am?.
James: I honestly don't know if I can, have you seen that guy play?. He's good.
Me: I know. But I want you to do something to counter that.
James: there's nothing I can, or do you have a plan.
Me: (smiling) you know I do. He's fast, and that's all there is to him. His burst of pace is misunderstood as being a good dribbler. Yes he's a good shot, but that's all. Can you match his speed?, do you think you can make him travel at every attempt to dribble?.
James: I can attempt to
Me: I don't want you to attempt, do you think you can?.
James: yes I can.
Me: Good. Matt, watch Stanley.
Matt: watch?
Me: he'll be your man. I noticed something, he's selfish, he's an attention seeker, who probably wants all the headline. He made a total pass of 8 for the entirety of the first quarter even though he's the point guard, that should tell you a lot.
Matt: even though, this one doesn't depend on pace, he's actually a good dribbler.
Me: I know, I saw. But I noticed something else. A little body movement that told me a lot.
Coach fuckface: you don't say.
Me: I'm serious, listen closely Matt, when he wants to go for the dribble, when you're one on one with him, there's only a 35% chance he's going to pass. He's more likely to drive by himself, or shoot, or even commit a turnover, which we all saw him do. Now this is where you pay attention. He has two main great moves but he gives them away. You just need to watch out for two things, his feet and his lips.
Matt: care to elaborate.
Me: I'm getting there. Listen, he does this when he's driving hard toward the sideline or the baseline. It looks like he's committing to the drive, but it's a fake to get room for his pull up jumper.
John: yeah, we noticed that.
Me: and what did you do to stop that?. Nothing.
Damian: it's just being hard to time it properly.
Me: I figured, and I have the solution.
Coach fuckface: let's hear it
Me: now, When Stanley is dribbling and is about to do that crossover, watch his back foot. I don't think he means to, but he slightly shifts his weight and loads that back leg for a split second. It's like he's settling back before he springs forward again.
Jace: I noticed that too.
Me: would you guys let me speak?.
Jace: sorry.
Me: now Matt listen, the moment you see his weight shift to his back foot, I want you to ignore the fake, do not fall to the initial crossover, make sure you stay low and controlled. When he crosses the ball back for the shit is when you make your move. I'm trusting you to jump back hard and contest for the pull up jumper right in his face. Of course I know it's not gonna be easy. But I trust you to. Can you?.
Matt: I'll try.
Me: good, to the next dribble he's fond of. I noticed how quick he is to get frustrated. He gets that way when he's tackled or when he doesn't receive a pass. He tends to go for a forced shot. It's a very quick, one-dribble move where he attacks the defender's lead foot, then gathers the ball and jumps sideways off two feet into a pull-up shot. It's a unique skill which probably took him eons to master, but his quick-to-get frustration makes it so easy to read.
Matt: I'm listening
Me: good, When Stanley is about to force this shot, his frustration shows up on his face. You will see his jaw muscles tighten, and he'll subtly clench his teeth. It's a quick, unconscious locking of the jaw right before he starts the move. When you see this move in, that clenching means he's tired of his teams play and he'd rather take the jumper. React instantly. When he tries to attack your lead foot, because you reacted earlier you'll be cutting off the space for the sideway hop. By eliminating his space to jump, you force him to take a off-balanced or the one thing he'll never do, pass. Remember, pay attention to both his feet and face. Can you handle that?
Matt: it's a lot, but I think I can.
Me: good, lastly. Jace, please for the love of God start taking 3-pointers, we don't have all day. And storm their center, that Ayu guy, he look lost 90% of the time.
Jace: aye, aye.
Coach fuckface: how did I just let you take my job?.
Me: (laughing) I wonder too.
Coach fuckface: now guys, you heard him. Implement every thing he said. We're winning this today
Team: yes coach!!!.
Bell Blaring For The Start Of The Second Quarter***
I just hope we do well with the little information I gave.
AT THE THIRD QUARTER******
Commentator 1: well, who would've have thought of such plot twist.
Commentator 2: I did, I've been saying it from the very beginning, never write Starling off.
Commentator 1: apologies for doubting your insights
Commentator 2: Starling with another, 51-43.
Commentator 1: I'll fucking say this, coach John is him
Commentator 2: language Josiah.
Commentator 1: sorry everyone.
Commentator 2: it's how the whole team switched things up that baffles me. Mathew successfully locked Stanley out, and not only that James isn't letting the 'mario kart' make any move.
Commentator 1: coming into this match, everyone thought Jace would be doing a carry job, Starling team is saying 'not on our watch'. James have been almost everywhere.
Commentator 2: speak of the devil. New score line 54-43.
Commentator 1: Starling is running riot at this point.
End Of Match****
Commentator 1: there you have it guys, starling won this one. 72-57, doing this without two of their key players. This is mental. Just mental.
Commentator 2: again I'll say it, never write Starling off.
Commentator 1: you don't have to keep rubbing it on my face. Yes they did something crazy, but we're forced to ask the question. Can they repeat this against Starfield?.
Commentator 2: it's three days from now. All questions would be answered.
Commentator 1: word reaching me now is James have been crowned the MVP of the match, and the moment of the match was giving to Jace's two-man dribble and 3 pointer.
Commentator 2: talk about total domination
Commentator 1: well then, good day and good bye.
What can I say?. We were perfect, just perfect. If you don't include the first quarter that is. Coach lost it, calling himself a tactical genius and urging me to secretly prepare myself for Saturday's game. Of course he passed the same message to Jensen secretly. Incase you were wondering he didn't stay with the team, all for the acting. Talk about commitment.
Coach fuckface: everyone head to the cafeteria after you freshen up. Whatever you have is gonna be on me.
AT THE CAFETERIA***
Coach fuckface: Saturday we face Starfield. Now listen closely. We're sticking with the same line up. No changes or nothing. To sell this, we need their guards to be at the lowest.
Saying this Jensen sneaked in.
Coach fuckface: no one saw you right?.
Jensen: no one coach
Coach fuckface: tomorrow I'll be taking the both of you to 'physical Therapy', If you catch my drift.
Me: I don't think we do.
Coach fuckface: (sighing) you'll both be taking to Mr White's place. I need you guys to work on your chemistry. Jace would eventually join you guys. But you'll be together for major of the day. Do you understand now?
Me: yes coach.
Coach fuckface: I trust my lineups to handle Starfield pressure, take them down if possible. But if they appear too strong, hold on till the second half. Now that's that. Everyone eat up.
Team: yes coach!.
BACK AT OUR ROOM**
Barry: there's no harm in admitting it was a miracle. Same miracle won't happen against Starfield.
Me: more will
Justin: more?.
Me: you're writing my team off. Whether I partake or not, whether Jensen play or not, our team will always remain the best.
Kayode: I pray that mouth of yours don't dissapoint you guys come Saturday
Me: I wouldn't worry about that.
Barry: should I call it arrogance or cockiness
Natasha's text immediately came in..
Natasha*: so you weren't kidding?.
Me*: about what exactly?.
Natasha*: your injury, I heard neither Jensen nor you played today
Me*: you thought I'd joke about something that serious?.
Natasha*: have you met you?. You joke about everything
Me*: well sorry to dissapoint. Not this time.
Natasha*: sorry. How're you coming up?.
Me*: terrible and happy.
Natasha*: care to elaborate?
Me*: terrible in the sense I won't play for the next months to come, happy we won.
Natasha*: how about this. When we meet up on Saturday, we skip the game and find a spot for just the both of us
Me*: works for me. But what about cheering. Won't they be needing you?
Natasha*: I'm quitting remember?. They can handle a match without their captain
Me*: damn, you're some bigshot.
Justin: dude, were you listening?.
Me: What's wrong?.
Barry: who have you been chatting with?.
Kayode: I honestly don't see how it's your business.
Me: (chuckling) I was talking to Natasha
Barry: the hot one?.
Me: yeah.
Kayode: can i see?.
Me: would your girlfriend who you so love approve?.
Kayode: who?.
Me and Barry: your lab partner.
Kayode: oh yeah, that's true
Natasha*: are you still there?.
Me*: sorry dear, I have to go now. Call outs happening soon.
Natasha*: okay, talk to you tomorrow.
Me*: same here. (Sent)
Me: so back to what we were saying, how can you forget about your own girlfriend. Are you okay upstairs?.
SATURDAY, STARFIELD VS STARLING****
If my chemistry with Jensen was at 88, coach made it his goal to push it to 99. And not just for our duo. We spent the last couple of days working on knowing the left and right of our 'unholy trinity'. I now took back my position of complimenting Jace and Jensen. Just know we were prepped for this game to the fullest.
Natasha: now from a scale of 1 to 10, how broken would you say your ankles are?.
Me: you're seeing the crutches right?. That should tell you all.
Natasha: okay. Sorry, my bad. Now weird question, do you think you guys have any chance against us?.
Me: I thought we decided to spend this time together.
Natasha: it's all part of it, come on, I'm trying to start a conversation.
Me: hmmm. Okay. I wanna be a team player and say yes. But if we're being honest, there's a limit to what Jace alone can achieve.
Natasha: yeah, thats true. How's Jensen though?.
Me: am I being interrogated?. And why the fuck would you ask me about that bastard?. He's the last name I need to hear right now.
Natasha: I'm sorry if I struck a nerve.
Me: no issues, can we just talk about something else?.
Natasha: okay. But can we do that after the match ?.
Me: what?. Why?.
Natasha: turns out they can't handle cheer without their captain.
Me: what happened to us spending time?.
Natasha: I'll make it up to you some way or the other. Okay?.
Me: no, not okay
Natasha: sorry, the match will be off in 10. I promise to check up on you.
I Guess the Titus have taken the bait.
Me: (smiling) okay dear. I need to go find a seat too. Last thing I need is stressing the ankle
Natasha: yes. You need it bae.
Me: thanks.
Look, I know I act the part, but I'm not dumb. I knew something have always been up during our chats. So I did what any sane person would do. Tail her. Slowly moving behind her, I caught her going into the men's dressing room which was designated for Starfield. The fuck is she going there to do?. Quietly tipping to the door, I gently placed my ear on it and did my best to listen in their conversations.
Natasha: just finished talking to one of their players.
Deep voice: which of them?.
Natasha: keima
Deep voice: wonder kid?. With the broken ankle?.
Natasha: yes.
Deep voice: and?.
Natasha: he's practically useless, same applies to Jensen.
Deep voice: that's beautiful, even the heaven wants us to win this game, any other thing?.
Natasha: he also added that he doesn't see any scenario of them winning
Deep voice: music to my ears. Welldone Alobi. Now boys, did you all hear that?. We have no excuse to not win today. Even the heavens are smiling down on us.
I know I did have my suspicions, but definitely not this deep. I get being loyal to your school, but not backstabbing your supposed boyfriend. I can't put into words how mad I felt at this point. But instead of talking, I'll rather just play it out, so I hurriedly made my way to our locker room.
Jace: dudddee. Where the hell have you been?
Me: selling infos.
Coach fuckface: found one of their moles?.
Me: yeah. Ensured she reported back that Jensen and I are practically gonna be useless.
Coach fuckface: good keima. Now they have the believe of winning, we'll be snatching it away. They have the confidence, overconfidence if I may add. We'll be breaking them down.
Team: yes coach
Coach fuckface: one final tweak, jack would be replacing James.
James: okay Coach.
AT THE COURT****
Commentator 1: We're here with the fixture that everyone have been waiting for sitting at the top of the western division Starling Strike High School versus second place Starfield college. This is going to be an assured emotional rollercoaster.
Commentator 2: couldn't have said it any more better than that. Last time they met Starfield won by 19 points. But today they'll be facing Starfield without two key players.
Commentator 1: although I feel a little pity for keima. Last time they met he did a crazy work from the third quarter even winning the MVP
Commentator 2: who would ever forget that day?. But no need digging old wounds.
Commentator 1: indeed. Now I just wanna see what crazy tactics their coach have come up with this time
Commentator 2: don't forget to add how important this match is, we're left with just 2 more games for this league season. Starling win today and they are pretty much on the better part of being league winners.
Commentator 1: but a win from Starfield is going to give us a good season end game.
Commentator 2: let's give our attention to the PA ANNOUNCER to call out the players .
PA ANNOUNCER: (with a deep and energetic voice) And now, getting set to take the court!. Let's meet your starting five for the Starfield team!. Students of Starfield college give 'em some noise!
With this the court erupted, and a burst of music was been played from the school speakers. We might be cooked at this point.
PA ANNOUNCER: Starting at Small Forward, a player who brings the effort every single night!. He's a defensive lockdown artist and a rebounding machine... Give it up for number 34, LUKE! GODWIN!
Damn, you should have heard the cheers, our own fans have their work cut out for them.
PA ANNOUNCER: Next up, holding down the point guard position. The engine that runs this offense, the guy with the vision, the floor general, standing at 5"10, Number 1, WAHEED! AIDEN!.
What can I say at this point, yeah, I hope all of Starfield fans rupture their vocal cords. Was that too dark?.
PA ANNOUNCER: .....And finally, rounding out the starting five!. A towering presence in the paint, the team's anchor on defense, the guy who owns the block!, From Lagos, Nigeria, number 44... OLATUNJI! DARE!.
They've had their moments, we'll be having ours anytime soon.
LET THE MATCH BEGIN**
Commentator 1: We're barley a minute and half into this match and the score is saying a lot. 11-5 in favour of Starfield. Tonight is going to be a feast.
Commentator 2: Jake with an attempt at basket, and, uhhh, blocked by Luke, again. He's having a field day.
Commentator 1: you don't sound too enthusiastic, remember commentators are meant to be unbiased
Commentator 2: who said I'm biased?.
Commentator 1: no one, I'm just saying.
Commentator 2: it's just so sad to see Starling look like a shadow of themselves without just two players. They are barely making any effort to make any basket.
Commentator 1: it's not that they aren't making any effort but more of Starfield not letting them. Attacking and defending in an organised manner.
Commentator 2: ...current score 25-15 still in favour of Starfield, how can they bring Jace A game into this match?.
Commentator 1: .....this is the end of the first quarter, scoreline 30-17. From what we've seen so far, Starfield might be taking this home.
Coach fuckface: okay, I didn't expect this one bit, they've been everywhere.
Jensen: yeah, we kinda all saw that coach.
Coach fuckface: keima, any observation?.
Me: yeah. They're fucking good.
Coach fuckface: I need positive feedback not negative ones.
Jensen: I feel like we're being too careful.
Coach fuckface: I was about to say that. Forget what I said before. As it stands now I also underestimated our opponents. No need to be careful anymore, take your shots at every giving possession. When passing make it quicker, like we practiced. We'll be dropping defence for now. We need to catch up. Jack, James would be taking over.
* * *
Commentator 1: here with the first attacking play of the quarter, James with a dummy selling Aiden, passes all the way to Jace, and 3 points to Starling.
Commentator 2: Starling are doing everything to get back to this game, they are trying to replicate what they did against Laurels college, but Starfield are just too good of a team.
Commentator 1: it's Starfield with a lay up.... And Starling..... Oh did you see that dunk by Daré, he was sending a message to Starling, "we're not laurels, no comeback for you".
Commentator 2: Starling strikes back..... Starfield returns the favour... It's Jace yet again... James is not just sitting down, he's here to send a message.
Commentator 1: end of the second quarter, what a burst of emotion. Starling are doing their possible best to comeback, but not with a score line of 57-47.
Commentator 2: at this point, they're going to be needing an angel to pull back. End of the second quarter, we'll be headed for the 15 minutes break, sit tight. This match is far from concluded.
OUR DRESSING ROOM****
Coach fuckface: it's time boys, it's time to take away that confidence they have. It's time to turn this game over it's head. My unholy trinity, I'm handing over the keys to you.
Jensen: I won't dissapoint you coach.
Me: I won't either
Jace: you can always count on me uncle.
Almost immediately I received a message from Natasha
Natasha*: where are you now babe, we can spend some time now
Me*: maybe after the match, I'm trying to boost the team spirit.
Natasha*: you guys are getting demolished, What's the point of boosting their spirits
Me*: lol. I can't say you lie. Let's talk later Kay ?
Natasha*: okay dear.
Me: (to coach) my mole have been fed more.
Coach fuckface: good. Now, let's go put those wild dogs down.
TIME FOR OUR ACTING TO BEAR FRUIT***
Jensen and I were the first out of the locker room cause we had to go check in with the official scorer, now there were whispering going around, but I made sure to still limp a bit. The arena lights were dim, but slowly they started getting brighter with focus placed on me and Jensen. Coach fuckface and the other players started making their way to the bench and court and the oppositions did the same. The PA ANNOUNCER read the room and did his best to milk the situation. His voice started off deep and booming, cutting the background music short.
PA ANNOUNCER : Fans!. We are officially through the halftime break!. That first half was tough, Starling are down by thirteen. But hold on to your seats, because the second half is about to start... and we have two massive substitutions coming onto the floor!. Get ready to make some noise!
You can bet your houses that the whole court went nuts, Starfield thought they had vocals, we were 10 times of whatever they brought.
PA ANNOUNCER: Checking in... at the Forward position!. The team's power, their undisputed leader!. He is the force that shifts the gravity of any game!. Give a massive welcome back to number 11... JENSEN! WEST!... THE LIGHT OF STARLING!
Cheers and music was all over the court. This is what I'm talking About.
PA ANNOUNCER: And now... checking in at the Guard position!. The player we thought was injured!. The one you can never count out!. The genius who finds the answer when there is no answer!. The player built for the pressure of the moment!. Number 10... KEIMA! IBEH!... STARLING VERY OWN WONDER KID.
I can't explain the feeling, but this was the best I've ever been, this was the best I've ever been received. We're burying Starfield college today. I swear on my life.
TO BE CONTINUED****