Christmas day. My favorite holiday. Unfortunately, the only reason I like this holiday is the same reason for every other child, new stuff. This is about the only time of year I get new games. I also renew my Xbox live account. It's always a good day. My parents don't make a whole lot of money, but they start shopping early for presents so they could get what I want. Now we, since Jessica is here.
Another reason why I like Christmas day is because it is synonymous with game day. Every year we play on Christmas. On the sixteenth we dominated Riverside in our first game. We were clicking everywhere. I had a double double with 18 points, 10 assists, and 3 rebounds. Dashaun had 15 points on 5-6 from three, Adam of course had his, scoring 25 points. We won 85-33. Solid first win. We also had another game a few days after versus Clennon High. We won that one two. Easy win and nothing to really remember about it.
Today was not going to be so easy. Today was more serious. Today was our rivalry game. Today was Alvin.
Six was game time. I had to be at the school at four. That gave me some time to enjoy Christmas before I could get in the zone for the game. I got dressed and went down stairs. The tree was well lit. We keep it lit through Christmas Eve. Just a tradition we do. Under the tree was my stack of presents. I looked to my left and Jessica was on the couch with her gift opened and lit. She had a new laptop. Well damn.
"Good Morning, Ray." she said.
"Morning. Merry Christmas. Nice laptop." I responded.
"Yea. A Windows touch screen. And Merry Christmas."
"Wow. That's all you got?"
"Nope. The complete series of Dragon Ball Z."
"No you don't. Don't lie to me, girl!"
"It's right here."
I walked over to her. Just like she said. Not only the complete series of Dragon Ball Z, but Dragon Ball as well. What the hell. I wanted these for years.
"You are the luckiest girl in the world right now." I said
"I know." she laughed.
Went to the tree to retrieve my gifts. I opened them up. I got 3 new games and my Xbox live card. I got 2K13, Skyrim, and Halo 4.
"I love you mom and dad!" I said out loud.
"What you get?" Jessiaca asked.
I brought my games over to her. She was impressed. I'm a little mad she got a better laptop than me, but I am content with what I got.
"I'm going to be in my man cave for a long time." I said
"You're such a loser." Jessica said.
"A loser who got a man cave. I'll see you later."
"See you, Ray."
I ran up the stairs and turned on the Xbox. While the game loaded I went to my parents room.
"Merry Christmas mom and dad. Thank you." I told them. They were watching T.V.
"Merry Christmas, love" My mom said
"Merry Christmas, Ray. Glad you like your gifts." my dad said.
I went back to my room. I redeemed the code and it was time to play. Dashaun was online already at the dashboard. I guess he just got on too. It was eleven already. I sent him an invite. He joined a couple seconds later.
"Yerrrroooo!" I said.
"Yo what's good." Dashaun said.
"Nothing. I got this 2K."
"Me too. What you tryna say?"
"Put the game in so I could get some wins."
"You funny. Alright."
"You ready for the game later?" Dashaun asked me.
"Bro, let's not talk about that right now. It's still Christmas you know. Let's just play these games." I said. I was not ready to focus on this game just yet.
"Alright. We talk when we walk to school."
"Sounds like a plan." I stated.
We spent three hours just on 2K. We played three games against each other. He won the first one with Heat and I had the Thunder. Next game I won with the Knicks and he had the Nets. The last I won with the Warriors and he had The Nets again. After the games we played some online Association. Dashaun said he had to leave and get lunch. He'll be at my house at three. After that I put in Skyrim. I looked at the clock. It was already ten past 2.
"I'll play the other games after the game." I said to myself. I noticed I was still hungry. I didn't have lunch or breakfast.
I went down stairs. I saw Jessica still on the couch. She was messing with her laptop still. I noticed a plate next to her.
"What you have for lunch.?" I asked her
"Ms. Randel made me a sandwich and left." she said without looking up from the screen.
I went to the kitchen. My mom made me a sandwich too. That was good because I did not feel like making one myself. I put some mustard on it and ate. I also ate an apple. After lunch I went back to my room and got dressed up in my warm up. It was 3. Time to focus up.
I went back down stairs. As soon as I touched the bottom step the doorbell rang. I went to open it.
"Yo what's up." he said.
���Yo. You ready to go?" I asked.
"Yea. Hi Jess." He said looking in the living room.
"Hey." she said.
"Nice laptop. Wait that's the new windows one?"
"Yep."
"Wow I wanted that. I'll get it eventually."
"Alright. We heading to the school." I said to her.
"Okay. I'll be there before tip off. Good luck guys."
Thanks." I said.
"Thanks Jess." said. Dashaun.
We left the house. Since the last time Jessica and Dashaun hung out they seemed different towards each other. In fact since that day three weeks ago they have not hung out since. I've hung out with her and I've hung out with Dashaun. All three of us hung out together, but the mood has been off with them. I asked Jessica what happened on the movie "date" once. All she said was that they watched the movie and went to eat in the food cart. Nothing happened. I don't believe that because ever since then they seemed mad at each other even though they say hi once in a while.
I was about to ask Dashaun now, but I remembered that it was not the time for that. In three hours we were playing Alvin High. We have to focus to beat them. If not, we are going to repeat last year. The walk there was nothing, but talk about strategies, and game plans. He wasn't worried about it so I shouldn't be and before we knew it we were at the school. Game time.
"The hell he doing over there?!" I said.
Jordan Romeer. God damn Jordan Romeer actually did it. He transferred to Alvin. The proof was right there. Him warming up with the Sphinx. Scumbag.
"That explains why he never came back to school." Dashaun said.
"I thought if you transfer this late in the school year you couldn't play a sport."
"I thought you couldn't transfer really."
"Well he did it. And he's playing."
"Ray! Dashaun! Don't worry about them." said Adam. He was warming up. I guess he saw us watching them. "We could only worry about what we can do. Focus."
We went back to our warm up. I have no idea how he was able to pull this one off, but Jordan was on Alvin. Not much we could do now, but play the game. Adam was right, it was time to focus. It was only fifteen minutes before time.
"Everyone huddle at the bench!" Yelled coach Baxter.
We jogged over and sat. Coach Jackson had something to say.
"Alright. Game time boys. I don't know what else to say. You know who we are playing and you know the importance of this game. If you can't get up for this then you don't care about this team. I want a win. I know you guys want a win. Go out there and execute. I gave you the plays you got to run them. Do not let them, them of all teams, come in your home and beat you! Let's go!"
"We are Black Dragons!" yelled Adam. "What we do?!"
"BURN! BURN! BURN!" The team yelled.
"Let's go!" Dashaun yelled. He was ready.
It was time for introductions. The announcer, Max Bell, introduced the away team first. Roy was the last introduced because he is the best player on the team. He came out and did a dance. Cocky son of a…
Now it was our turn. First was Dameek. Next was Ricardo. Dashaun was introduced. Then it was me. Dashaun stays back and we do a handshake then salute the crowd. It was something the coach allowed us to do. The crowd loved it. I ran to go shake Alvin's coach hand. I caught a glimpse of Jordan. He had a smile on his face. I turned and went back to the center with the three starters. The last person introduced was Adam. He ran to the middle and got the crowd hyped. He joined us and we did our chant.
"Burn. Burn. Burn. Fire. Fire. Fire. Win. Win. Win! AHHHHHHH!!!!
Both teams stood on opposing free throw lines facing the flag. We played a recording of the National Anthem. During this is when I zone in.
The song stopped. The crowd cheered. Players went back to the bench except the starters. The time is here.
"The Black Dragons win the tip. The ball is being advanced by Ray Randel."
We got set in our base offense. Roy looked me in my eyes. I tried to do a crossover, but he defended it well. I held my hand up for one. That told Dashaun to set a pick which he did. I wrapped around him. Roy fought over. Dashaun went to the hoop and I did a quick pass to him. Adam's defender went down so Dashaun made a sweet bounce pass to him wide open for 3. Nothing but net. That was the first possession. So far so good.
Roy brought the ball up. They set their offense up. I was not letting Ray get pass me. He looked at me and tried a head fake, but I was not fooled. He passed it inside to that 6'11 kid, Alexander Pobly. Dameek guarded him. He backed Dameek down. He stood strong and was not moved easily. Pobly did a post move and tried a hook. He hit it. This might be a small problem. Pobly still had a 5 inch advantage over Dameek.
No matter how you looked at it, this was going to be a long game.
Now it was the middle of the second quarter. Alvin had a 25-20 lead. They also had possession. This was an intense game already. I was getting tired. I may not like Roy, but the kid is fast. He caught me twice in a drive to the basket off of a screen. He had six points. I had four points and 2 assists so far.
I got on top of him on defense. Maybe if I play him tight he won't go nowhere. I got so close he picked up his dribble. Time to apply pressure. I swiped at the ball. I hit and forced a steal, but the whistle blew. the referee called a reach in foul. My first personal.
They took the ball out. I may now know how to stop his speed. I did the same thing. Once again he could not dribble out of it. I swiped at the ball again. A teammate from Alvin came to help Roy. He tried to pass it out, but I hit it. I got the steal, but another whistle. Another reach in call.
"What?!" He did not have the ball in his hand, ref!" I yelled.
He ignored me. I was pissed. That was a clean steal. Da hell is he looking at.
"Ray! Come here." coach Jackson yelled. I jogged.
"I got ball on that, coach." I told him.
"I know. Good work. Take a breather. George get in!"
I was being subbed out for two fouls. I did not want to, but I guess it was a good call. The next play Alvin scored.
I was watching George play. He really improved on these weeks. I was not worried about him on offense. It was his defense that I wondered about. He was small. He took the ball up. Roy played him off. George took a quick three. He hit it.
Next possession off of a Alvin miss Roy played George off again. George dribbled a bit and shot from the same spot again. Same result. This kid was on fuego. Alvin's seven point lead was cut to one with 2 minutes left in the half. Alvin called a time out.
"Dashaun, go in for Adam. Dameek, go back too." instructed Jackson.
Alvin changed their line up to. Jordan was now in for 23 and was playing point. Roy moved to shooting guard. They took out the 6'11 kid too. I wonder what offense was this.
Jordan took the ball up. George went back to defend. Jordan set up George. He did a back step and ran past him. He took the easy lay-up. I now knew the offense. It was their speed offense. That's why no one was in the paint. They are taking advantage of our man defense. I don't think George is fast enough or skilled enough to guard Jordan.
Off of Adam's miss they set up the same offense. This time their power forward set a pick on Adam. This forced Dameek to switch on to Roy. A mismatch. Jordan passed it to Roy and he picked Dameek apart. He did a one cross over and was at the basket.
"Coach, call time out. They are faster than us out there." I said.
"I'm the coach. I make the calls." said Jackson. "Go back and sit."
I did what I was told. I was just making a suggestion. What's going to make him switch? When we are down by 20? Damnit!
Adam scored on our last pssession, but they continued to abuse our slow line up. Dashaun and Adam were the fastest out there, but they played away from them. They were up by three, then seven, then ten. By then it was halftime. Sphinx 44 Black Dragons 34. Jordan looked at our bench and held a pistol to his head and pretended to pull the trigger. He basically told us to kill ourselves.
We ran back into the locker room. Time for adjustments.
"Let's go, guys!" I yelled. "We got this." I was a little frustrated.
"Everyone take a seat." said Coach Jackson. We followed directions.
"They are not doing anything defensively to stop us. We just need to make stops and make shots. If we do that we win. They had their little run, now it's time for ours. Starting lineup when we go back out there. Carl, defense."
Carl went to the whiteboard. This is what I wanted to listen too.
"I know everyone noticed their speed line up. We just need to move our feet! Don't just look at them. Don't be fooled with the head movements. This is how we adjust to that lineup, Ray" he called.
"Yes coach." I answered.
"You will stay on Jordan. You're speed matches his and you're one of our best defenders."
"Yes coach." I repeated.
"Adam you're on Roy. When the pick comes do not switch! I repeat, Do not Switch! Their speed runs through these two! If we stop them we could stop the offense. Dashaun, could you play your guy and zone?"
"Yes coach. Not a problem" Dashaun said.
"Good!. Let's go boys."
"It's our game to win or lose. WE WILL WIN!" Yelled coach Jackson.
An uproar came from the locker room.
"BURN! BURN! BURN! FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! WIN! WIN! WIN! AHHHH!
We were ready for the second half.
Alvin High started the half with the ball. Jordan brought the ball up. Alvin was still going with their speed offense. Time to see if the adjustments work.
Jordan tried to go pass me like he did George. Did not work. This was the match up I was looking forward to. I was not going to let him get past me. He tried to do a crossover that did not work. On the side vision I saw the pick play for Roy. We did not switch as instructed and Adam stayed on him. Jordan had no choice to pass the ball. They already had the ball for 20 of the 35 seconds. Roy tried to do a crossover on Adam. Did not work. He then lowered his head. Adam stood strong and Roy went into him. The referee blew the whistle. Charge.
This got the crowd into it. Now it was time to execute on offense. I got the ball and ran across the court. Time for our speed to show. I passed it to Dashaun coming towards me and I set a pick for him. It worked and he had a wide open three or lane. He took the three and hit it.
On defense we were just as fast as them. They set up the pick for Roy again and we did not switch. This time all Roy did was dribble around trying to find any opening. There was none. So he tried to make a pass across the court. Dashaun intercepted it. The fast break was on. I Was on Dashaun's right. Adam was on the left. It was a 3-1 with Jordan the only defender back. He chose to stay on Dashaun. He passed it to me and I threw an alley oop to Adam. He got up there and dunked. The gym was ecstatic.
I now knew why coach Carl told Dashauun that. He is our fastest player and he has more endurance than me. He would be able to play his guy and zone at the same time. That's why coaches coach.
Off of an Alvin miss we got possession. I took the ball up court. Jordan waited for me. He was not better. I kind of wanted Roy to guard me again. He was no challenge.
"Let's go, Ray' Jordan said. "You aren't shit."
I did not respond. I just smiled at this fool. Dashaun came to give me a pick. I waved him off.
"Clear! Clear! Clear!" I yelled at my teammates. That told Dameek and Ricardo to get out of the paint. It was Just me and Jordan. One on one.
I messed with him for a few seconds. I dribbled passed him and stepped back. He went all the way to the basket. I was not satisfied so I held the ball. He came back and seemed a little upset.
"You mad, bro?" I asked him.
"Stopping fucking around." he said.
"Yeah you mad." I laughed.
I wasted no time and went at him. He over committed. I spun off his back and went in for the easy lay-up. I held my arms out and just smiled at him.
"Easy." I said to him as I went back on defense. I normally don't show off, but it was fun embarrassing him.
It was more of the same for the rest of the third quarter. Alvin adjusted a little, but not that much the ending score for the third was Alvin 50 Smith 54. Fourth quarter was starting.
Alvin turned on the pressure in the start of the fourth. They went back to their original O. Their speed offense was not working because of one, our adjustments and two, They got tired.
Jordan was back on the bench. He is not ready for this type of spotlight. Not yet. I was back on Roy. Pobly was also back on the court for Alvin as well, He was still fresh because he has not played since early second. Dameek was on the bench taking a breather. We had Frank in for him. They exploited that.
Their first four possessions in the fourth they went to their big man. He scored each time on Frank. Adam scored twice on our first four possessions.
It was our defense. It was struggling now. We were also a little fatigued. Even Dashaun and Adam were tired. 6'11 was not helping either. We changed to a double team, but he was so tall he found the open man. That allowed them to hit 3 out of 5 3 pointers. We called timeout with two minutes left in the fourth. Score was 60-66 Alvin.
"Alright. Everyone just relax. We're still in this." said coach Jackson. "We are switching to a zone. If you can, keep the ball out of the paint. Dameek, you're in. Try not to foul out. We're right there. Go get It!"
Adam inbounded the ball. I took it up top. Roy met me there.
"Third straight loss." Roy said with a smile.
I said nothing. I can't do to him what I did to Jordan. I had to keep my cool and focus.
"Prime! Prime!" I called.
Adam and Dashaun switched sides. While that happened, Ricardo set a pick for me. Dameek moved to the free throw line. I go to the side of the pick and cut back while Roy fights across the pick. I proceed to advance. Roy came back, but Dashaun sets the pick at the free throw. Roy did not see it. I go across that pick to the basket. Adam's defender crash down along with Pobly. I passed it out to Adam and he hit the three. 3 point game with a minute thirty left.
Roy ran the ball up. He was probably feeling the pressure. I was right with them. There is no time for mistakes. Roy stopped at the top of the key.
He dribbled around for a bit. Pobly came to set a pick on me. He was big, but I managed to fight across. Roy already passed the ball to someone else. He put a move on Adam, but Adam did not budge. He passed it back to Roy. As soon as he got it he ran through the lane. I followed and jumped with him. A whistle blew. They called a foul on me. Damn.
Roy went to the line. The first one he made. The second…
He missed. Dameek got the rebound. They double teamed him. Dameek did a heads up play and called time out. 49 seconds left. It was a four point game.
"Catch your breath." said coach Jackson. "No one said it was easy. Go out there and play your hearts out for 49 seconds. Try to get the quick basket if you can."
That was it. The whistle blew to star play.
"Let's do this, boys" Dashaun said.
He passed the ball in to me. I quickly passed it to Adam. Dashaun ran over and set a pick. Adam took it to the basket. Pobly collapsed. Adam found Dameek underneath. He went up for the easy lay-up. A good team play. 38 seconds left. Down by 2.
Alvin used their final time out. No more time outs. 38 seconds left.
We can do this.
We went back to the bench. We set up a defensive play. A risky play. I was not sure of it, but I trust my coaches. No one said anything. Everyone knew what needed to be done. The whistle blew.
They inbounded the ball to Roy. The play began. Dashaun rushed over to double team him on his right. The coaches noticed he can't dribble to his left. Roy tried to break out of it. He couldn't. He saw an open player and threw the ball. I deflected the pass. No reach in foul this time. The ball flew up in the air. Adam Jumped up in the air and grabbed it. I ran ahead along with Dashaun. It was a three on one again. Adam rushed down the court. Roy met him at the three point line. He passed to me to the left. Another player that was trailing caught up. I saw Dashaun wide open at the three in the right corner. I could have attempted the lay-up, but I trusted Dashaun to make this shot.
"I hope this is the right choice." I thought. I kicked the ball out.
Dashaun caught my low pass. He stepped back behind the line and shot. The ball felt like it was in the air forever. And then…
"HE HIT IT! HE HIT IT! THE DRAGONS TAKE THE LEAD WITH EIGHT SECONDS TO GO! WHAT A SHOT BY DASHAUN MATHEWS!"
Mr. Bell was going crazy. The crowd went crazy.
The game was not over. The yin bounded the ball to ray. I was right next to him as he tried to go coast to coast. He went to the free throw line.
Three seconds left.
He stepped back.
Two seconds left.
I stopped, but tripped a little.
One second.
He shot the ball. I jumped with him.
EEEERRRRRRRR!
The ball went up and bounced around the rim. It rolled off…
"DRAGONS WIN! DRAGONS WIN! WHAT A GAME!" Bell yelled through the gym. That was drowned out by the crowd noise. They were in a frenzy. I ran over and jumped on Dashaun. I love this man.
"We win with class!" I heard coach yell. "Shake it up!���
The teams lined up in the middle of the court. I saw Roy towards the back. He looked upset. We finally met up.
We shook hands and held on.
"Good game, Ray." he said.
"You too, man" I responded.
He gave me a head nod and ran off the court. Good kid. Great athlete too. I got more respect for him.
I did not see Jordan however. Then I looked at the bench. He was yelling in our crowd. His coaches were removing him from the gym. He really had no class or respect.
I was jumped on by Ricardo. Then the whole team joined. In. We ran into the locker.
It was just a big loud noise in the locker room. It was so much excitement. It was only the second home game of the season, but it was a big win for the team. Bragging rights for the whole year or until playoffs.
"Alright! Settle down!" Yelled coach Jackson. Everyone went quiet.
"That was only our third win. A lot of work needs to be done to win the Section and ultimately States. But. Hell of a win boys!"
Everyone yelled again.
"Great play by Ray And Great shot By Dashaun! AYYYY!" shouted Adam.
"You kept us in there, bro." I said.
"Guys. If you want to go to McDonalds it's on me so get changed." said coach Max.
"AYYYYYYYYY!" the team said.
I got changed and went to meet the crowd. I saw my family by the door. Jessica was with them. I was so focused on the game I forgot they came. I went to meet them.
Jessica ran out and hugged. "Great game, Ray!" she said. She almost knocked me over.
"Thanks Jessica." I said.
My parents came behind her.
"That was amazing, son" my dad said.
"Good job, Ray" my mom said. "You tired?"
"Yea thanks guys. I'm a little tired. The team is going to McyDs. Can I go?"
"Of course. Go have fun." my dad said.
"Thanks."
"See you at home. Call if you need a ride." my mom said.
They turned and left. Jessica stayed behind.
"You guys had me worried for a bit." she said.
"Yeah. Well, we had it handled" I laughed.
"Sure you did."
"No worries. Dashaun and I are a problem."
"Yooo Ray, the teams headed out."
I turned and saw Dashaun calling me. "Alright." I said.
He turned and walked with George. I don't think he saw Jessica. Or maybe he did.
"Alright let me go before the team leaves me." I said.
"I'll see you when you get home. Bye, Ray." Jessica turned and walked away.
I ran to where Dashaun was. Time for the after game party.
"We see you guys later." I told the team as Dashaun and I left McDonalds.
'That was fun man. Best Christmas ever." Dashaun said.
"I forgot it was Christmas." I stated.
"Yeah. Max is going to hate us."
"Yea. I had eight burgers myself."
"I think Dameek had about fifteen."
The night was so nice. There was snow on the ground and the moon was lit. It was a shame McDonalds was only five minutes away from Dashaun's house. Before we knew it we were there.
"What you about to do?" I asked him
"I don't know. Probably take a shower and sleep." he said. "You?"
"I might do the same. Unless Jessica wants to do something. I don't know."
"Oh ok." Now was a good time to bring up the subject.
"What is with you two?" I asked. "You and Jessica that is."
"Nothing. Why you ask?"
"It just seems since that last date you two have been distant."
"Oh. Well." he paused. "Don't worry about it . We're fine."
It was obvious he wanted to tell me something. But what? Should I push?
"You could tell me, bro."
"I know. All we did was watch a movie and ate at the court in the mall. Nothing much."
He was looking away. Something else happened. What was it? It was obvious he was not going to say anything though.
"Trust me. We're fine. Just haven't been very talkative with each other that's all." he said. "We did that before."
"Yea. I guess you're right. I'll see you later than."
"Yea. Maybe we'll play some online tomorrow." he said. "Peace."
"Peace bro." I turned and headed home. I did not know what was wrong with those two, but something was up.
I didn't know I was going to learn the truth so soon.