CHAPTER 63
"GOLDEN CHANCE"
*December 2nd 2068*
The vibrant city of Abuja, Nigeria's bustling capital, was bathed in the warm hues of a setting sun. as the day gave way to the quiet of evening, the streets were still alive with the steady hum of traffic as people returned home from a long day's work. Vendors in the bustling markets were packing up their wares, while others continued to call out to passersby, offering their goods. The tantalizing aroma of street food hung in the air, tempting those who strolled through the lively streets. Despite the frenetic pace of city life, Abuja's charm shone through its well-planned roads and verdant green spaces
In the heart of the city, the arena hosting the high school basketball tournament was abuzz with excitement as the opening ceremony of the Christmas Champions Cup commenced. Seventy-four schools, each representing their prefectures, proudly took their places on the court, holding aloft their pennants. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation and pride, a tangible energy that seemed to permeate every corner of the arena
As the teams formed neat lines, their pennants fluttering gently in the breeze, the crowd erupted in cheers, their enthusiasm infectious. The Queens, resplendent in their sleek pink team sweaters, stood tall amongst the sea of competitors, their Lagos State Prefectural pennant held high. Abike and Sandra, reunited with their teammates and feeling at home once more, exchanged a knowing grin as Tosin adjusted their pennants
The (MC) Master of Ceremony's voice boomed through the speakers, cutting through the din of the excited crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2069 edition of the Christmas Champions Cup! Let's celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship and excellence!"
As one, the teams raised their pennants, a kaleidoscope of colours and state logos filling the court. The crowd roared its approval, cameras flashing as the teams proudly displayed their regional pride. It was a sight to behold, a testament to the grandeur of the tournament and the incredible diversity of talent that Nigeria's high school basketball scene had to offer
Amidst the whirlwind of colours, the Queens stood united, ready to take on the challenge ahead. With their first game on the horizon, their resolve was unshakeable, their spirit high. The opening ceremony had been s thrilling display of camaraderie and passion, but now, the real test was about to begin
Following the conclusion of the grand opening ceremony, teams scheduled to play immediately began making their way to their respective locker rooms. The arena, a marvel of modern architecture, boasted 10 magnificent buildings, each housing 10 state-of-the-art courts. This setup allowed for multiple games to be played simultaneously, ensuring the tournament progressed efficiently and in a timely manner. The Queens, among the teams set to take the court that evening, made their way to their designated locker room to change into their game kits and strategize for their first match
"Coach," Tosin called out, a hint of urgency in her voice
"Yes, Tosin? What is it?" Mrs. Lawal responded, turning her attention to the young athlete
"Permission to fall out, please," Tosin requested, her tone indicating a pressing need
"Where are you planning to go, now? You shouldn't be wandering around in this massive place. It's easy for first-timers to get lost," Mrs. Lawal said, concerned about Tosin's well-being
"I'm sorry, Coach, but I really need to go to the restroom," Tosin explained, her discomfort evident
Mrs. Lawal sighed, understanding the situation at hand. "Alright, but Tolu will go with you. This place is huge and I can't have you getting lost right now," she said, hoping to ensure Tosin's safety and prompt return
"Okay, Coach," Tosin agreed
Tosin and Tolu ventured into the labyrinthine corridors of the arena. Their search for the restroom proved fruitless. Even seeking assistance from others seemed to yield no results. Just as frustration was about to set in, Tosin noticed something that caught her attention
"Tolu, look at that room over there," Tosin said, pointing at a nearby room with its light on
"Stop pointing! Also, that doesn't look like a restroom," Tolu replied, a hint of exasperation in her voice
"True but if the lights are on, that means people are inside. They might be able to help us find the restroom. Let's ask them. Come on," Tosin suggested, already making her way toward the mysterious room
"I don't think that's a good idea…. Hey, are you even listening to me?" Tolu snapped, her doubt about the plan growing by the second
"Tolu, come on!" Tosin urged
"Great," Tolu muttered under her breath, reluctantly following Tosin toward the unknown room
Despite Tolu's objections, Tosin forcefully opened the door, revealing a room with five players dressed in their respective teams' beaketball sweaters. Cynthia James, a recognizable figure, waved in greeting
"Hey, Tosin," Cynthia called out, smiling warmly
What are you doing here, Tosin?" Eshe asked, curiosity piqued by their sudden intrusion
"Sorry to barge in like this, but we've been searching for the restroom. Do you know where it is?" Tosin askd, hoping to find the information they desperately needed
"Sure, just go down this hallway. Take the fourth right turn, and you will find the restroom," Eshe explained with a friendly smile
"Thank you a lot, Eshe!" Tosin expressed her gratitude, relieved to finally have a clear direction
As Tosin and Tolu prepared to leave, one of the girls in the room, her gaze fixed on Tosin, said, "So these are the girls who defeated Victoria and her school?"
Another girl, her gaze fixed on Tosin as well, commented, "Going by the description, that tall one should be Tosin, the one who reportedly stopped Victoria's signature move"
Victoria, observing the exchange, clicked her tongue in frustration and turned her attention to Tolu. "Tolulope Fashola, huh? She was recruited by Mr. Pique Rodriguez, just like me. I supposed it'd be an honour to have her as a teammate in the university," she mused silently
Cynthia addressed Tosin and Tolu directly, "Guys, I'm sure you've seen the tournament brackets, so I won't say anything unnecessary. Don't lose until you face us, Wyse. I want to face you guys," she declared
Tosin, undeterred by Cynthia's words, boldly proclaimed, "We won't lose to you either, Cynthia! The team that will win the Christmas Champions Cup will be us, the Queens!" With that, she gestured to Tolu, "Let's go!" and the two exited the room, leaving behind a palpable sense of anticipation and rivalry
Eshe, taking note of the charged atmosphere, turned to Cynthia and commented, "After beating Victoria, they seem to be overflowing with confidence, don't they?"
Cynthia, a competitive grin spreading across her face, replied, "I love it. I can't wait to face them"
Eshe, not one to back down, countered, "You sure are underestimating me, Cynthia. You do know that to face you, they'll have to go through me, right?"
Cynthia, undeterred, retorted, "I'm simply saying, they will beat you!"
Meanwhile, as Tosin and Tolu made their way to the restroom, Tolu chastised Tosin for her bold declaration, "Hey, what did you do that for?" she demanded
"What?" Tosin asked, unsure of Tolu's concern
"Why'd you deliberately put pressure on us like that?" Tolu questioned, her voice tinged with worry
"Oh, that? I did it because I believe in us. I know we can do it. however from everything we saw in that room, I'm pretty sure we've officially met all members of the Victorious Varsity. They were probably having a meeting," Tosin reasoned
"I had the same thoughts too. That's why you shouldn't have challenged them like that," Tolu said, her apprehension evident
Tosin, undeterred by the prospect of facing such formidable opponents responded with enthusiasm, "This tournament is a going to be fun! Let's go, Tolu!"
The echoing corridors of the sprawling arena led Tosin and Tolu to a restroom at last, providing a much-needed moment of relief. As they made their way back, the sound of horried footsteps approached, revealing Mrs. Parker with a concerned expression
"Hey, Tosin, what are you two doing here?" Mrs. Parker inquired, her voice tinged with urgency. "Your first match has already begun"
Tosin's face paled as she realized their predicament, "Damn it!" She cursed under her breath
As they hastened towards the court, Tosin suddenly halted, prompting a worried glance from Tolu. "What's wrong, Tosin?" she asked
Ignoring Tolu' question, Tosin called out, "Mrs. Parker, you haven't forgotten our agreement, have you?" she asked
A knowing look passed between them as Mrs. Parker replied, "No, I haven't forgotten, but remember, you must uphold your end of the deal as well"
Tosin nodded resolutely, "No problem, ma'am"
"Best of luck to both of you," Mrs. Parker said, offering a reassuring smile
"Right!" Tosin acknowledged, and the pair resumed their urgent trek towards the court
Tolu, unable to contain her curiosity, pressed for answers, "Tosin, what agreement were you talking about with Mrs. Parker?"
Tosin's gaze remained fixed ahead as she replied, "I'll explain everything after the game. For now, we must focus on the game"
Recognizing the truth in her friend's words, Tolu agreed, and they quickened their pace
The cacophony of the roaring crowd signaled their arrival at the court, only to discover that the game had already concluded. Despite their absence, the Queens had managed to eke out a narrow victory with a final score of 78-80 against Efferum Girls Grammar School, their first opponent of the tournament. This victory meant that the Queens had secured their first two points in the tournament
Before Tosin and Tolu could celebrate, Mrs. Lawal approached them, her expression a mixture of confusion and frustration. "Where have you two been?" she demanded, "Your teammates needed you on the court,"
Tosin hatily apologized, explaining their difficulty in navigating the unfamiliar arena. Mrs. Lawal acknowledged their remorse but insisted they save further discussion for the post-match meeting
As the Queens gathered in the locker room, Mrs. Lawal wasted no time in addressing their performance. "Despite today's victory, we have a challenging road ahead," she began, highlight notable achievements by Teni, Sandra, Eno, and Abike. "Our next game is in two days, and a win will secure our spot in the knockout stages"
An air of anticipation settled over the team as they realized the importance of the upcoming match.
Before dismissing the group, Mrs. Lawal gestured towards Tosin and Tolu. "These two have something they would like to share with the team," she announced, prompting a round of applause
Tolu stepped forward, her eyes meeting those of her teammates as she prepared to deliver the news, "This tournament will be the last chance we will get to play together," she began, her words hanging heavy in the silent room
"Last year," Tolu continued after taking a deep breath, her voice tinged with emotion, "After our defeat at the hands of Wyse and Cynthia, I received an unexpected phone call from a stranger.Judging by his accent, it was clear he was a foreigner. He introduced himself as Pique Rodriguez, a talent scout, and extended a once-in-a-liftime opportunity for me to join the female basketball team at the prestigious Universitat de Barcelona"
The Queens listened intently, their eyes widening in surprise as Tolu revealed the details of the offer. "He offered me a scholarship to study any course of my choice at the university but added a condition. To be accepted into the team, I had to adapt my playing style to that of a point guard and focus on scoring, not just assists. This is why I had been practicing and play as a point guard this past year"
The room was filled with anticipation as Tolu paused, gathering her thoughts. "After our game against Rose Newton High School last month, Mr. Pique contacted me again. He told me that I had impressed him and he told me to begin preparing for my journey to Spain"
Tolu's voice wavered as tears began to stream down her face. "This is a golden chance, but it comes with a heavy heart as I'll be leaving all of you behind. Thank you all for the memories and support. You will always have a special place in my heart"
The Queens, overcome with emotions broke into a round of applause. Mrs. Lawal, ever the source of encouragement, stepped forward to address Tolu
"Tolu, you will always be a Queen. We are not losing a teammate, we are simply cheering you on as you chase your dreams from afar. We're so proud of you, and we can't wait to see you at the top," she said, her eyes glistening with pride
"Thank you, Coach. That means a lot to me," Tolu replied, her gratitude evident in her voice
As the focus shifted to Tosin, Mrs. Lawal gently prompted her to share her news. " Now, Tosin, it's your turn"
Tosin cleared her throat, preparing to reveal the unique details of her prospect. "Last year, following our defeat to Wyse, Mrs. Parker approached me with an opportunity and a proposal. As you all know, she offered to personally train for eight months. However, there is more to the story"
The Queens exchanged curious glances as Tosin continued, "Mrs. Parker proposed taking me to the United States to study a course of my choice all while training and preparing me for a chance to enter the WNBA. This opportunity is much like Tolu's. A golden chance. But it comes with a significant condition. We must win the Christmas Champions Cup. Only then will Mrs. Parker teke both me and my mother to the USA. The Victorious Varsity are seemingly impossible to beat. However, we've already beaten one of them last month. That victory is why I'm positive that we can do it!"
As the gravity of Tosin's words sank in, the Queens responded with passionate cheers, united in their determination to win
"Considering Eno's final tournament with us will also be this tournament, as she'll be focused on her SSCE and JAMB exams afterward, we now have three compelling reasons to give this tournament our all," Mercy pointed out
"That's right," Mrs. Lawal nodded in agreement, her gaze sweeping across the room. "We now understand how special this tournament to us. Are we ready to face the challenge?"
"YEAH!" The Queens chorused, their voices resounding with conviction
"Then let's do this!" Mrs. Lawal exclaimed, her fist raised in solidarity
"RIGHT!" The Queens echoed, their collective determination palpable in the locker room