Coach John: saying I'm dissapointed at you is an understatement right now. I expected someone to lose their cool. But that someone was Jace and not you. You just showed the world you're nothing but a child.
Me: (sniffing) they're cheating coa--
Coach John: I will not be interrupted.
Me: (wiping my eyes) sorry.
Coach John: what exactly were you expecting?. You wanted them to play fair?. You think everyone cares about honesty and doing things the right way?. Grow up. This world isn't all sunshine and rainbow, there will always be greedy people out there who'd do anything to win, even if it means selling their soul to the devil. Just because you refuse to cheat doesn't mean someone else won't. Look at the scoreboard, what do you see.
Me: (sniffing) 13-21 in favour of Jarquin.
Coach John: that's the first quarter gone because my player couldn't keep his emotions in check. What did I tell you?. They can cheat all they want, but they'll only see the chance if you give them the opportunity to. You gave them a shit ton of that opportunity
Me: I'm sorry
Coach John: you don't have to be. You're an emotional child, I know. I was like you during my own time, but I learnt earlier that the world would never be as I imagined forever. So I'm asking you do too. Realise that sometimes people would always do evil to win and how you reply to that evil will determine the kind of person that you are. Get yourself together, you're going in for the second quarter. Be a man, stop being a child.
Me: okay coach.
I overestimated the good in this world, I see that now. I guess I was being selfish in wishing that everyone will always be an angel. The buzzer finally went out to indicate the end of this quarter, score being 17-28 In favour of Jarquin. 11 points gap, nothing we can't come back from.
Jensen: you cool?.
Me: yeah. Sorry for the mess.
Jace: it's all good. It's rare seeing you get emotional like that.
Me: (laughs) yeah, I guess. Coach says I'll be coming In the second quarter.
Jensen: good, cause we'll be needing all the help we can get. No offence John
John: (laughing) none taking.
Coach John: stop your meeting and listen up. We're doing good, but not great. Right now I feel like we're playing into their hands. We're starting the second quarter with the girallo. Jensen, Jace and Keima would be the core of our comeback for this second quarter. Is that clear?.
Team: yes coach.
Coach John: keima, you'll play more centrally. I'll need you to dictate the flow of every pass made. Each ball would come from you and go to the best option. Can you carry that weight?.
Me: yes coach.
Coach John: beautiful, now match in. Keima make your way to the scorer's table and sign in with her.
Me: (nodding)
I hurried up to her table with one goal in my mind, to win this game and be matured for once in my life.
Scorer: I'm sorry but the ref has indicated that you can't be permitted in now
Me: uhh.
Scorer: I believe you're not deaf.
Me: I just didn't understand ma'am. Why can't I be let in?.
Scorer: cause the ref said you can't be.
Me: I got that part, what I don't understand is why?
Scorer: do I look like the referee?. Go ask him.
Hearing all this to and fro coach eventually made his way to the table and the woman said the same thing to him. For someone who asked me to keep my emotions in check, he lost it completely and the excuse of the referee just did nothing. According to the referee, I spoke harsh to him and he can chose to make me sit the match out as a whole, but due to him being compassionate, he'll allow me play from halfway through the second quarter. Compassionate indeed.
Coach John: listen, in the next five minutes of the match I'm giving you a task. Watch every move they make, watch every step they take. Study every single atom in their body, when you go in you'll be going in to destroy them. Am I understood?
Me: yes coach.
Jarquin were giving the ball to kick off the second quarter, and my analytic eyes engaged. If I was going to do anything later, I'd need all the information I can get my hands on. Cheluchi will always be my marker so I need to start watching out for ways to beat him. The second quarter kicked off and our team played relaxed. I mean relaxed, no one bothered pressing Jarquin. That was stupid, but they shut me up immediately. Agent 0 made a swift chess pass to their shooting guard Beluolisa. I don't know where he came from, but Jensen just appeared out of thin air and snatched that shit outta his hands. As if they all linked together, the whole team immediately pushed forward with Jace drifting right and James drifting left leaving the center clear for Jensen. He drived torwads the hoop and made an attempt to dunk, Paul read this and tried to block the shot. Jensen predicted this though and made a no-look back pass to Matt who was by himself outside the arc.
Almost immediately he made the shot and it smooshed smoothly into the basket. 3 fucking points, exactly what we needed right now. Starling 20-28 Jarquin. Four more minutes-ish before I'm let back in.
Coming out of my happiness I immediately realised Jarquin didn't like that 3 pointer from Matt. Not one bit. Agent 0 brought the ball up, and he looked pissed. He tried that same find space move, weaving through our defense like a snake, but Jace was playing like a man possessed. He stayed on his hip, forcing Agent 0 into a contested mid-range jumper, dumbass hit the rim hard and before anyone could react Simon climbed over Matt's back. He literally used his shoulders as a ladder to grab the board and put it back in. Fuck!, STARLING 20 - 30 JARQUIN.
Me: (muttering) he just used his off-arm to press Matt down. What the fuck.
Coach John: (without looking back) I see it. Keep watching. And mind your language.
We went back the other way. Jensen was the engine now. He drove left, drew the Thief toward him, and then whipped a pass to James. James didn't even hesitate. He hit a crossover that sent Beluolisa stumbling. Eat concrete, again. He finished with a high-arching floater over the Giant. STARLING 22 - 30 JARQUIN.
The next three minutes were a blur of sweat and noise. It was a dogfight. Jace hit a tough layup while getting hacked. As expected no whistle of course, and then Beluolisa hit another 3 from the parking lot because we lost him in transition. Back and forth. 24-33. 26-33.
Thirty seconds on, a moment came that made me want to jump onto the table and scream. Starling 28 - 35 Jarquin 05:31 REMAINING
Agent 0 was driving down the lane. Jace was standing perfectly still, feet planted, chest out, a textbook charge. Agent 0 lowered his shoulder and plowed straight into Jace, sending him flying back three feet onto that cracked, uneven floor. The ref blew his whistle the loudest he had for this whole evening and for the first time since today I started to cheer, thinking we finally got a call. But then I saw the Referee pointing at Jace.
Referee: Blocking foul!, Number 0!, blue!. Two shots!
Me: (jumping up) ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!. HE WAS A STATUE!!.
Coach John: (grabbing my jersey) Sit down keima!. What did I just say about keeping yourself in check?.
Jace was on the floor, looking up at the ceiling like he was questioning his entire life. The Thief, Cheluchi, walked past him and actually laughed, giving him a little "get up" nudge with his foot. My vision went red. I looked at the scorer's table, then at the clock.
Scorer: Thirty seconds until you're permitted.
Agent 0 stepped to the line. He missed the first one, but the ref literally blew the whistle and signaled a lane violation on Matt, who hadn't even moved a muscle.
Referee 1: Re-take the first.
This time, Agent 0 sank both.
STARLING 28 - 37 JARQUIN.
I stood up and walked to the edge of the court, right by the scorer. My eyes weren't on the ball anymore. I was looking at Cheluchi. I noticed it now. Every time he prepares to steal, he wipes his right palm on his shorts and leans around 60% of his weight on his front foot. He's a one-trick pony. And the Giant?. He can't jump twice. If you fake him once, he's out of the play for about three seconds because his knees are probably as old as his real age.
The buzzer sounded for the sub.
Referee: (looking at me) You ready to act like a man now, kid?
Me: (staring him dead in the eyes) Better than what you define a man to be.
I stepped onto the floor, with John moving out. 28-37. Nine points. It's our comeback time.
Me: Jensen, Jace.
Jensen: (wiping sweat) Finally.
Me: The Girallo. Now. We're not playing their game anymore.
Jace: looks like someone finally grew some pair of balls.
Me: (chuckling) sorry about my childishness.
Jensen: Good. Now, anything we should be planning towards?.
Me: call for a timeout first.
Jensen: hmm. Okay
I know it's weird calling for that when I just came in, but it's needed for two reasons. I need to break whatever rhythm they think they've built up and I need time to talk with the team. The timeout was called and we made our way to our designated spot. Now it's time to speak.
Me: I'll start with the old man playing center. He's old. That's it
Jace: uhmmm?.
Jensen: meaning?.
Me: he's your man right?. Blocked about 3 of your shots already. I noticed a pattern. He's an engine that hasn't been oiled for heaven knows how long. A simple fake would sell him.
Jensen: I get
James: I don't.
Jensen: he's basically saying when he jumps to make a block, it's hard for him to immediately do so again. An engine that hasn't been oiled up.
James: ohh.
Me: the thief Cheluchi will probably be useless when we start with the girallo. But just incase, before he attempts every steal he performs two constants. Wiping his palms and putting almost all weight in his front foot. Pay attention to these things.
Team: ayee ayee.
Me: lastly thei---
I was interrupted by the buzzer
Me: fuck. It's been 45 seconds already. Listen, their last player I studied. The shooting guard, number 11. He's a fucking pest, but at the end of the day he's just a cheap knock-off of our sniper. Unlike Jace his all round capability sucks. He can't handle pressure from what I saw, can't even perform a simple dribble. So I'll say this to James. Fucking mark your man. Don't let him breathe. He had three clear times to take a shot, shots Jace would appreciate. But he didn't take any. I feel like he's more concerned with shooting the one's he sees as a hundred percent assured points. James, stick to him when defending and I'm sure we won't bother about going down by three. Be careful though. That hungry looking referee seems to be after our sanity, but I know for a fact I'm not losing today. I don't know about you guys though, do you plan on losing today?.
Jensen: hell no
Jace: don't see that
James: fuck no
Matt: never
Team: no!!!!
Me: then let's go win this fucking match
The buzzer came in at the right time, indicating for everyone to walk back in the court.
Coach John: now, this is someone I can proudly call my player.
Me: (smiling) thanks coach.
****** On the court. Starling 28-37 Jarquin. 5:02 ******
Me: Girallo from now on. James cover left Jensen drift center from right, Jace occupy right fully. Matt!, pass!.
Matt made the inbound pass to me and immediately came into the court. I sent the ball back to him and without even looking for an option he sent in towards Jarquin side of the court. From no where As if he just appeared James hit the ball mid-air towards Jensen, who was already standing below the basket. Easy two points for the light of starling. Looking at their facial expressions I'm guessing they didn't expect this. You lot would be seeing more. Their center resumed play for them and passed to belu who was immediately tracked down by James, he swiftly made a pass over to the small forward and I also didn't waste any time pinning his movements. He spotted agent 0 on the run and made an overhead pass to him. That was a mistake cause Matt read that shit and took the ball in mid-air before it could get to agent 0. He didn't even waste a tenth of a second before making a chest pass to Jensen who was exactly at the center of the court. I indicated for a pass and before I knew it Cheluchi covered expecting a pass. Jensen dummied and I also swung out of his challenge making my way for their arc. Jensen went for the three and Paul from no where jumped to block. Stupid fool, Jensen made a pass between his legs to me who was already inside the arc. I wanted to go for the easy 2 point, but Jace was just outside the arc by the left side and I swung a pass to him. Trust our sniper to make a perfect 3. Starling 33-37 Jarquin. We're back in this. Their coach immediately indicated for a timeout. That coward. As soon as he sensed us making a comeback he calls a timeout. The time right now 4:17. The comeback is right there.
Coach John: I love this energy from you guys, keep it up. They're gonna keep throwing everything they have at us hoping to disrupt our flow. We won't let that happen. Have a drink if you're tasty. And when the buzzer go off, get in there and win.
Team: yes coach.
Me: (to Jace) I plan on making space for you. Take as much three points as you can.
Jace: I'll take your words.
Jensen: what're you guys gossiping about?. You're leaving your captain out
Me: (laughing) no we weren't
Jace: (smiling) we defo were.
Me: do you guys trust me?
Jensen: not now.
Jace: not with those eyes we don't.
Me: (laughing) just get ready to shout at the top of your lungs.
Jensen: what's that supposed to mean?.
Me: you'll see.
One minute went by quickly and it was time to resume play. This time they switched markers. Cheluchi left me and went to Jace while Simon their power forward came to man-mark me, I enjoy new challenge, especially for no-names who haven't done anything significant but sit waiting for scrap like a dog.
Me: (to Simon) you're boring
Simon: excuse me ?.
Me: how are you a starter, you do nothing but beg for scraps all game, how do you even have a number?.
Simon: (ignoring me)
Me: look at your overall game, two quarters and you've only made 4 points from looking for drops like an abandoned dog. You're shit, but I guess that's to be expected from a shit scho-----
That bastard knocked my day out, I didn't even see the punch coming. Now, why would I go out of character?, I never taunt my opponent. I know I know, I just feel like it's time i start playing dirty. I'm tired of being the nice guy. And trust me, getting rid of someone who never leaves the paint is an advantage to us right now cause having this guy later on would cause issues. Back to narrating, Jensen took one look at me and lost it, him and Jace started shouting at the top of their lungs and that almost led to a clash between both teams, our little fans put in their own effort and they made things go wilder than I anticipated.
Now let's see what the referee would do, this is obviously a flagrant foul 2 which means immediate ejection. I eagerly waited for him to rob us again, but surprisingly he sent Simon out and awarded us a free throw. Wow. I mean we still got robbed, it should be 2 free throws but I'll take this. The nurses rushed in to first-aid my jaw which for the record haven't healed from my brawl with Andrew 3 days ago. Maybe this was a shitty plan. She gave me a painkiller with a lot of care in her eyes. Awwn, coach John is so lucky to have her.
Jace: that was the purpose of your earlier question?.
Me: (holding my jaw) yeah
Jensen: who called you a genius?. You should be a fucking psychopath.
Me: (laughing) I know, now please one of you idiots should make sure to bury our free throw.
Jace: fucking idiot you are.
Me: (laughing) Again, I know.
I'll never do such shit again. I hate pain, and I'm in pain right now, fuck. Without much stress Jace made the shot, I mean it's Jace. It's to be expected. Starling 34-37 Jarquin. They subbed in a random who I had no information on, but who cares?. I have the whole match to cook up something on him. Name on Jersey king, number 2.
I can't explain what happened next or how it happened but king, the random who just entered seconds ago made a basket outta nothing to take their lead up to 5 points. Paul made a pass to agent 0 who just passes to king and that bastard literally dribbled everyone to make his basket. When I say everyone, I mean everyone, me included. I don't know how else to say this. But I think we're cooked.
James: Damn. Wat just happened?.
Jensen: they had this in the bench?.
Me: get a grip everyone, it's just another guy to deal with
Jace: well said.
Me: James join Matt for the inbound. Slow down the girallo, keep possession for now, let's watch them play and know what to do.
Jensen: cool with me.
And that we did. I know you'll be wondering why we didn't just go on with the girallo. It's been working for us right?. Well duhhh, they'll eventually adapt to that if we keep spamming it. And king is an unknown variable. I hate dealing with unknown variables. Before making any broad play I need to watch him. I kid you not when I say this, we spent a whole minute just passing the ball around, dribbling and watching how they defend. I've seen enough.
Me: Girallo!!.
Jensen who held the ball immediately made a chest pass towards the center of the court to Jace, who just ducked the ball cause he wasn't by himself. James caught it and attempted a dribble on king who stood firm, that was all I needed though. I ran directly behind king dragging Cheluchi along with the center opened up for Jace who received the pass, and he made his shot. Give us those three points. We want them, we deserve them. Starling 37-37 back on term. 1:14 remaining.
Me: watch out for king Matt, he'll be your man.
Matt: really?, why do I have to?.
Me: you want him to score again?
Matt: no, but didn't you see his last play?.
Me: he sat me down too.
Matt: and you think I'll survive that?.
Jensen: Sheesh, stop bitching about. I'll support you.
Matt: yeah, like that helped the last time
Jensen: ouch. This is what I get for being kind.
Jace: focus children. They're starting.
I already figured out their plan, get the ball to king. And honestly I don't blame them. Anyone would do that if you had his dribbling, but he isn't scoring here anymore. Play kicked out with Paul passing to agent 0, who held the ball for a good 3 seconds just bouncing it and searching for his next best option. Jace went in to cover his line of vision but it was already too late for that, he'd picked belu who for the record can't dribble to save his life. James immediately went In to pick the ball from his hand, but he used whatever little braincell he had left to make a ground pass towards king. Fuck. His first touch was used to dribble Jensen and I'm not joking. His second and third touch was to break Matt's ankle. I jumped in front of him in an attempt to at least slow him down or block his vision, unfortunately his fourth move was a three pointer. I hate people with crazy talent. To make matters worse, the ref awarded a free throw to them cause I fouled king. wow. Oh would you look at that?. King buried it. Starling 37-41 Jarquin.
King: (to his team) you're all useless. These are the people you couldn't win.
Cheluchi: sorry.
Beluolisa: sorry.
King: sometimes I wonder how you guys are still playing for our school. You're lucky my guys are injured. Some of you fools should be cleaning the toilet and nothing more. Fools
Paul: king. Calm down. Let's just win this and make them wash the jerseys.
King: I know.
What In the heavenly fuck did we just watch?. What kind of team is this?. Two things are for certain. One, they have no chemistry, this can favour us if we play our card right. And two, did he just say his guys are injured?. Three more king in this court and it'd have been gg's. How are these guys not leading their table then?. Thank you my heavenly creator.
Jensen: we need a plan to nullify that demon
Me: I know
Jace: any bright idea?.
Me: yeah. Marking him myself
Jace: any other person have an idea they think would actually work?.
Me: ouch. I'm serious. Let me mark him
James: you just gifted him a free throw. You're not nearing him.
Me: seriously guys. Let me cook.
Jensen: fuck no. You're gonna burn the kitchen.
Me: just trust me. I'm about to bring forth my inner Cheluchi.
Matt: what's that supposed to mean?
Jensen: he plans on stealing every pass made towards king.
Me: (smiling) my man. You know me too well.
Jace: will that work?
Me: is anything working so far?.
Jace: fair. Matt kickoff.
On normal circumstances I'll be stupid to go for king. I hate getting embarrassed and that bastard has done that two times. But I noticed a pattern to his play. Not to mark him of course, I don't have the capacity for that, but instead to steal all ball. He has two unique traits, when he wants a ground pass he points at the spot he wants it and moves against that point to draw the defender away and immediately moves towards the ball to receive it. The second is still in work, but he's restless. He never stands still, or more like he can't. He's always moving. I'll need to make this work somehow. James received the ball from Matt and started play. We again dropped the girallo, it's just a minute left of this quarter there's no need to act immatured. James although decided to taunt them. He stopped moving, just stood there bouncing the ball with one hand for around 4 seconds. When agent 0 pushed forward do cover him, like an eagle he spotted me already in the paint with none other than Paul covering me. He made the overhead pass with all his might and the ball did make its way to me. I was back facing Paul and Jensen was drifting to my left and Jace to my right. I didn't let the ball stay a second before making my decision. None of the above, I'm the wonder kid dammit. I planted my right foot towards Jace in an attempt to move towards his side and after seeing that Paul commited I immediately switched to the left. He tried to correct himself by still pushing to the left, but almost matching his movement I returned to the right, peeked the basket, jumped with my eyes locking in on the basket, aimed and took my shot.
I didn't even see if it went on the basket cause next thing I know, someone hit my side with all of his might. My landing didn't do me any justice cause I landed with my right elbow and my head. Fuck!. I'd rather die than endure this pain. As usual my team lost it and went nuts. King was the culprit and he claimed he was going for the ball. What ball?. The one in the basket?. The nurse again hurried in to attend to me, and this time there was nothing that could be done for the pain. I was actually going crazy internally, and I was bleeding from my head externally. There are things you can bear in life, unfortunately this wasn't one of them to me. The nurse did her best to help with the pain but ultimately it was a pain to my rib and elbow and head. I had to be subbed out. There's good news though. We had a free throw and Jace buried it. Starling 40-41 Jarquin. I hate this feeling. The quarter ended with them still being in the lead and me out.