*October 4th 2064*
The morning sun cast a warm glow over the quiet premises of Charlie Queens Academy. The day had finally arrived – the friendly match between Charlie Queens Academy and Rose Newton High School. The Charlie Queens huddled in the locker room before their debut game. Despite being the hosts, the Charlie Queens felt the weight of the game. Ironically, their captain was looking forward to the game
"You didn't get enough sleep, Captain; you look awful." Shalom said
"Shut up. I was so excited about the game, I totally forgot to sleep," Tosin said
"What are you? A kid going to an amusement park?" asked Shalom
"What did you say?" Tosin asked, irritated
"You know, you're the only rookie who is super excited about her debut game. At least on this team. Everyone else is nervous" Shalom said
"Is that a weird thing?" asked Tosin
"No. Not really" Shalom replied, smiling
"I'm not the only one who isn't nervous around here. You and Mercy seem perfectly fine to me. Not excited, though but not nervous either" Tosin said
"Well, yeah, you're right. I'm not nervous because while this is my debut game in secondary school, this isn't my first official game. I used to play as a small forward in primary school" Shalom explained
"Oh? So, you've got experience, huh? So why is an inexperienced me the captain?" Tosin asked
"Hehe, I guess you're a born leader" Shalom replied cheekily
Prior to the commencement of the game, both teams' players congregated around their Coaches to receive strategic guidance and discuss tactical maneuvers. Surprisingly, there were familiar faces on both sides
"Eno, isn't that…..?" Tosin asked, referring to a tall girl on the opposition team
"Yes, she's the one. So, this is the school she attends, huh?" Eno replied
"That's Victoria Chukwunonso. She's the number one center in the whole country. She's a member of the Victorious Varsity" Mercy explained
"I see. Why isn't she putting on her team kit like the rest of the team?" Tosin asked
"Well, I don't know. But it means one thing. She's sitting out this game" Mercy said
"Yeah" Tosin said "But why? Being a member of the Victorious Varsity means she's a beast, right? Why isn't she playing?" Tosin asked
"Well, for one, it appears like they are underestimating us which is normal because we are a new team" Mercy explained
"Guys! Focus!" Mrs. Lawal called
"Sorry, Coach" Tosin said
The Charlie Queens turned to their Coach to listen to the tactical instructions. They were putting on their P.E. wears as they hadn't gotten their team kit yet.
"Listen up, girls; Abike" Mrs. Lawal called
"Ma" said Abike
"Mercy" Mrs. Lawal called
"Ma" said Mercy
"Shalom" Mrs. Lawal called
"Ma" said Shalom
"Sandra" Mrs. Lawal called
"Ma" said Sandra
"Eno" Mrs. Lawal called
"Ma" said Eno
"This is our starting lineup for today's match," said Mrs. Lawal
"Huh?" said Tosin. She's surprised that she's not in the starting line up
"Listen up because I only want to say this once" Mrs. Lawal said "You guys know your positions. Playing defense, we will run a man-to-man defense; but on offense, we'll switch to 3-2 zone formation. Watch out for 3-pt shots. Go give them hell!"
"Guys on 3, 2, 1, Charlie Queeeeeens!!! Fight!!!" Yelled Tosin
"Yeaaaahhh!!!" Yelled the team
The gym was quiet, the only sound being the squeak of sneakers and the bouncing of the basketball. The players were all standing in their positions ready to showcase their skills.
The referee tossed the ball up for a jump ball- the first of many for the Charlie Queens Academy. Eno jumped highest and tapped the ball to her teammate, Abike- the point guard of the Charlie Queens team who grabbed the ball and moved it up the court quickly as they aim to get the first points. Abike thought of passing the ball to Eno but she noticed that Mercy's mark wasn't guarding her well enough. Abike passed the ball to Mercy who immediately launched a jump shot from the 3-pt line. The ball swished through the net and the Charlie Queens took an early lead
"Yes! That's a great start!! It's 3-0 in our favour" Tosin said
The game continues on a fast pace as Charlie Queens blew past the Rose Newton High School, opening up a 15-points lead in just 5 minutes
"Wow! What a block from Eno! We are on a row!" said Kola, one of Charlie Queens members
"Counter!" Sandra yelled, grabbing the rebound and then passing the ball to Shalom
Every Charlie Queens player ran up the court as soon as Shalom grabbed the ball. The Rose Newton High School aimed to stop them. They ran to defend their hoop. Shalom drove the ball past 2 defenders, leaving Mercy opened for a jump shot in the 3-pt area. The 2 defenders who were beaten by Shalom, ran after her to stop her from shooting. Shalom skillfully sent a no-look pass to Mercy who launched a 3-pt shot. The ball went through the hoop, adding 3 points to the lead. The Rose Newton High School called for a time out
"Yes! We are on a roll" said Tosin as she gave her teammates a high 5 each
"I'm happy we are winning but this is easier than I thought. I expected us to lose but we are leading by 18 points with less than 5 minutes left in the first quarter. That's crazy" said Abike
"Yeah" Mercy said
"We are practically unstoppable now," said Sandra
"Don't get ahead of yourselves" Mrs. Lawal warned
"But it's true. Things are going well for us right now" said Tosin
"That's the point. If things are going this well for us against a team like theirs, then I'm afraid, we are not playing against their regulars" Mrs. Lawal said
"What?" the team exclaimed
"We know Victoria is not play because she's popular but what about the other 4?" Mrs. Lawal asked "We have no data on them"
"You got a point" Tosin said
"They probably thought we were not good. Perhaps because we are a new team" said Mrs. Lawal "Now, they know we are good, they could unleash their main weapons"
"Great. We don't even have time to celebrate. aww" Abike said, sighing
"We will go with the same formation for now but if you see that your attacks are useless against them, switch to an inside attack. We will use Eno's strength here
"Yes ma!!!" The team said
Meanwhile on the Rose Newton High School's bench
"23-5, huh? We underestimated them. They are better than we thought. Are we really up against a brand-new team?" Coach Musa asked
"The problems are their center, small forwards and their shooting guard. It's so difficult under the hoop with that monster taking her position, their small forward dribbles through the defense like nobody is there, their shooting guard is making shots from the 3-pt line. I can't believe this team is new" Lola, their point guard said
"Coach, put us in" Victoria said
"That goes without saying" Coach Musa said "5 of you, show no mercy"
"Sure. They want to feel like they are the better team, but I'll crush them" Victoria replied
The Rose Newton High School's team made a complete change to their line up with their regular taking the stage.
"Coach was right. They changed everybody. These girls are their true regulars, huh?" said Shalom
"Well, Victoria is here. That proves that these are their regulars," said Mercy
The game resumes with the Rose Newton team attacking. Daniella, their point guard slowed the pace down, bouncing the ball, almost exhausting the shot clock time. She then faked a jump shot from the 3-pt area, fooling Abike into jumping to block the shot. "Shit" Abike said as she fell for the fake. Daniella launched a jump shot, drawing a foul in the process. The ball went through the hoop, resulting in a free throw for Daniella due to being fouled by Abike. Daniella scored the resulting free throw, resulting in a 4 point for Daniella.
"Coach, why did she get an additional play after scoring the 3-pt shot?" Tosin asked
"And one" Mrs. Lawal said "in an open play, if a play is fouled, it results in 2 or 3 free throws depending on where the foul took place. However, an and one occurs when a player is fouled while making a shot. He or she will be awarded an additional shot and depending on the amount of points the open play fetched him/her, it could be a 3- points or a 4-points play"
"I see" Tosin said
Meanwhile, at the school's library
"Hey, what's going on in that building?" Oluchi asked
"Our female basketball team is having a game right now" replied Mayowa "Didn't you know?"
"No. it's news to me," said Oluchi
"Let's go and watch the game" Mayowa said
"Don't even go there" Oluchi said
"Come on, let's go…. Please" Mayowa pleaded
Mayowa convinced Oluchi to go and watch the game after pleading for 30 minutes. Oluchi was avoiding basketball for reasons known only to her
"I bet our school must be winning now" Mayowa said, smiling
"I couldn't care less" Oluchi said
"42-69?" Mayowa said after seeing the score
"Less than 1 minute left in the second half and they are losing this badly?" Oluchi said irritated
"This is too muc… hey, where are you going to?" Mayowa asked
Meanwhile at the Charlie Queens team bench
"Damn… This is unbelievable" Tosin said
"Well, we don't have to win. We just have to learn..." Mrs. Lawal said but Oluchi interrupted her
"Good morning ma" Oluchi greeted
"Oluchi, what are you doing here?" Tosin asked
"Good morning, how may I help you?" Mrs. Lawal asked
"I'm going to cut to the chase here; please ma, let me join the Charlie Queens Academy Female Basketball team" Oluchi said