The day had arrived. It was time for the boys to go to war, championship time. They have been studying, watching, and preying on the other team. No one seemed nervous, everyone was in kill mode. James was hype and continuously talked about what he was going to do to the opposing team, Ricky just knew he was going to ball hog the whole game. On the bright side Ricky was really mentally and physically. Everyone from school, family, and scouts were coming out to support the boys on their big day. Everyone was still stuck on the James and Ricky situation so there was no telling how the game was going to go.
The ball had been tipped. It was game time. Right of the top the game was intense! Bucket after bucket with both crowds going crazy. It was a dog fight, you could see the players talking trash to each other, getting physical, and celebrating after every good thing they did. James was already at 20 points at the end of the half. He looked unstoppable out there and of course that’s how he felt. On the other in, Ricky knew there was still a long game ahead of them and that was just the first half of the game. The Denver Donkeys were going to come back harder and their main focus was to stop James. They were only down by five anyways.
The Donkeys came out the locker room playing like a completely different team. Making three after three, steal after steal, they even shut the crowd up! The Donkeys were looking like the monster off of Space Jam while shutting James up, the energy was nowhere to be found. Coach Mike called a timeout.
“Come on guys where is the energy what is going on!” yelled Coach Mike.
“I’m not touching the ball enough! I need it in my hands ASAP coach” explained James.
“This is what I’m talking about. We’ll never win with that kind of thinking! They are shutting you down pass the ball, my guy” cried out Ricky.
“Ricky watch your mouth don’t talk like that, everyone gives the ball to James,” Coach Mike begged.
James started getting more looks and his shots went it. They came after being down by 15 points right in time. It was tied with 2 minutes left into the game. Players on each team were beaten up, sweating hard, and catching cramps, but only the strong survived. The championship was on the line, so no one had plans of giving up losing it all. Ricky is doing an outstanding job and has been on fire all game. He is ready for whatever, getting the job done on offense and defense.
“Let’s go we got to give it our all! Suck it up!” Ricky screamed to his teammates.
“I’m doing so good out here if it comes to it I’m knocking down the game winning shot and going down in history as the best player ever!”
“What the f*ck is wrong with you! We are in the middle of a tight game and that’s what you are thinking about? Really?” Ricky questioned him.
James ignored him. He really wasn’t trying to hear it at all, so he zoned him out.
The game was once again neck to neck, time running lower and lower. The donkeys hit a two pointer and left four seconds on the clock. It was go time for James, time for James to change the world and but his team on his back! James could hit a two pointer and tie it up or he could hit the three and go for the win. No one had any idea on how he was feeling or what he was going to do, so they crossed their fingers.
The ball was inbounded they gave it right to James. He dribbled down the court very fast and created space for a wide-open shot. He released the jumper as he went for the three. Everyone eyes were big and the whole gym was standing up. The Donkeys just knew it was over for them.
“Good game! Great game way to fight!” people in the crowd yelled after the shot.
James had missed and lost his team the championship.
The next morning at school was tragic for James. People were making fun of him, throwing paper at him, and looking at him with disgust. This was very hard for James he was used to love and being the talk of the school…In a positive way. James started to feel like his back was against the wall now. He felt like he was a nobody and wanted to change his ways. James walked with his hood on and head down as he headed to practice.
“I’m sorry team this one is on me. I promise to be a better teammate and person…This will never happen again I love you guys with all my heart. This has made me realize that I have a team and teammates. I shouldn’t have been acting like this towards you guys and now it’s too late for me to change that. I just hope you all forgive me.” James said as tears were dropping down his face.
Never speak too soon Never speak too much.