The game went on as Madelyn sat on the bench, looking out to the court. The Amazons were obviously trying to make her foul out, having drawn three fouls on her.
"What a bunch of pussies." (Madelyn)
"It's only a practice game, don't get too riled up." (Ceres)
Madelyn held in a curse and continued sitting down.
***
Time: 00:00 (end of 1st quarter)
Score: 30-20 (Amazons lead by 10)
***
There was a 130 seconds intermission before the second quarter started.
The girls gathered together to discuss strategy.
"They will likely pass the ball to whoever is guarding Kalakos. We need to deal with it, so I have a single question to ask Kalakos." (Ceres)
She made eye contact with Madelyn.
"How fast can you score?" (Ceres)
"I dunno, if I get to play." (Madelyn)
"Keep your hands behind your back when defending, we can't have you getting more fouls. If they score, I want you to come straight back and score too." (Ceres)
"You want me to outgun them?" (Madelyn)
"Yes." (Ceres)
Ceres continued discussing the formation they were going to take.
'BEEEEP' (whistle, start of second quarter)
Madelyn stepped onto the court, hands on her hips. She could tell the Amazons eyeing her the moment she stepped on the court.
She looked up at the audience until she noticed Leonz. She gave him a slight wave before looking back at the opponent.
"The coach has to be joking with this strategy." (Captain)
"No no, I don't think there's a problem at all." (Madelyn)
"Make sure to stay out of foul trouble, and don't get injured." (Captain)
"Sure thing." (Madelyn)
Madelyn took a deep breath as she ran down the court. The Stars PG dribbled up the court. At the three point line, Madelyn was once again being guarded by Taffee.
Madelyn got the ball and lowered her body as Taffee tried to poke the ball away.
Madelyn jabbed a step to her left before driving to her right. Taffee had accidentally fallen for the jab, and was trailing slightly behind Madelyn.
Madelyn took a step into the three point line and threw up a floater.
Taffee hit into Madelyn while she was still in the air. Madelyn fell, managing to cushion her fall before she got seriously injured.
'BEEEP' (whistle)
The ball bounced around the rim before going in.
"Shooting Foul, #9 Red. Basket count, 1 free throw." (Referee)
Madelyn pushed herself off the ground and walked towards the free throw line, titling her head. She walked past Taffee.
"That's one of six." (Madelyn)
Taffee did not react.
Madelyn stood at the free throw line and got the ball.
She bounced the ball twice before shooting the free throw.
(1/1) made
The Stars ran back on defence, even Madelyn.
The Amazons ran their offence.
Madelyn stood at the wing out at the three point line. As expected, the Amazons passed the ball to the girl Madelyn was guarding. Doing as Coach Ceres instructed, Madelyn kept her hands behind her back.
The girl shot the three-point shot.
Madelyn sprinted down the court.
There was a rebound, and the ball was thrown long. Madelyn caught it, no one even close to her as she got an easy layup.
She scored and puffed up her cheeks, a sort of celebration she did when she scored.
She high-fived some of her teammates when she got back on defence.
The Amazons once again ran the offence.
The girl Madelyn was guarding set a screen, resulting in Madelyn switching onto Taffee.
Taffee easily blew by Madelyn, who was avoiding any form of fouling.
She went up for an easy midrange shot which banked in.
Stars offence.
Madelyn got the ball again.
She was guarded by Taffee, who was giving her some distance at the three point line. Madelyn was relatively far away from the line too.
Madelyn shot the three, which Taffee reached out to try and block.
The shot went uninterrupted.
When falling, Madelyn felt something odd under her right foot. She kicked her leg forward and fell hard backwards.
'BEEEEP' (whistle)
The ball missed completely.
"Defensive Foul, #9 Red. Three free throws." (Referee)
Someone helped Madelyn into her feet as she walked towards the free throw line, rubbing her back.
(1/3) made
(2/3) made
(3/3) made
Madelyn ran back, puffing up her cheeks as she stared at the clock.
She was making a mental note for herself. The Amazons were trying to foul her out, so Madelyn could very well foul out Taffee as well.
The Amazons followed up with a contested shot from their C, who did not manage to make the shot.
The ball was rebounded by Taffee, who had ran in. She went up and laid it in.
Madelyn got the ball at the half court again. This time, the Amazons had a slightly different defensive scheme. The girls were closer, and if Madelyn were to drive, she was sure to get double teamed.
Madelyn put a shoulder towards Taffee.
She did a half spin to her right before turning back to her left. Taffee did not fall for it, so Madelyn, after spinning left, spun to the right with a dribble, getting past Taffee with a long step.
Madelyn saw some space and stopped, throwing up another floater, the ball arching high in the air.
'Swish' (net)
'BEEEEP' (whistle)
"Timeout Red." (Referee)
***
Time: 10:07
Score: 34-30 (Amazons lead by 4)
***
Madelyn sat down, not feeling too good.
"Kalakos, I'm subbing you out." (Ceres)
"Huh? Why? I'm just getting started." (Madelyn)
"You're getting pretty beat up out there. You might get injured if you play for extended minutes against them." (Ceres)
Madelyn sighed and shrugged. She was slightly short of breath, but it was nothing too bad.
The Stars went back out against the Amazons who had made a few substitutions of their own.
Madelyn could do nothing but watch as the game played on. Her tailbone was slightly hurting from her fall on a previous possession.
She tried to draw a few fouls, but Taffee was merciless with those fouls.
Some time passed.
Coach Ceres tapped Madelyn's shoulder.
"Get ready to go back in." (Ceres)
Madelyn got up and walked to the baseline, waiting for a chance to sub in. Her legs were colder, and she no longer felt as hot as she did when on her streak.
A foul was called, and Madelyn walked in, one of the Stars walking out.
She hopped slightly, trying to get the heat back.
***
Time: 4:10
Score: 50-39 (Amazons lead by 11)
***
The Amazons inbounded the ball.
Madelyn stood passively on defence, not doing much.
The Amazons missed a shot and were unable to get a second opportunity.
Stars offence.
Madelyn got the ball again, Taffee in front of her. Taffee, having played a lot more minutes compared to Madelyn, was tired.
Madelyn faked a shot, but Taffee did not fall for it.
She jabbed a little before faking another shot, this time getting Taffee to hop forward.
Madelyn drove past her. In an attempt to stop her, Taffee grabbed Madelyn's left arm when Madelyn drove left.
Madelyn was spun around as Taffee pulled her back, falling to the ground.
'BEEEEP' (whistle)
Madelyn got up with some help.
"Flagrant 1, #9 red. Two free throws, Blue ball." (Referee)
Madelyn took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself down.
(1/2) made
(2/2) made
The Stars inbounded the ball.
Madelyn ran past a screen set by a teammate and caught the ball some distance from the three point line.
A screen was set.
Madelyn drove past Taffee and towards the rim. She saw a defender stepping up, so she threw a floater.
The ball hit the front rim, missing.
The ball was tapped around before the Stars center managed to get the ball. Madelyn ran around the left side of the court, extending her hands in front of her.
She caught the pass and stopped, setting both feet and in one soft motion, got up for a jump shot.
She was about to release the ball when someone hit into her from the right.
The ball was set flying aside, and Madelyn fell awkwardly.
She laid on the ground, the wind having been knocked out of her.
She laid down there, hands over her eyes as she took several breaths.
'BEEEP' (whistle)
"Flagrant 2, #9 red. Two free throws, Blue ball. #9 Red ejection." (Referee)
There was a pause as Madelyn struggled to get up. Eventually, she got up, though still beaten up. Taffee left the gym.
Madelyn got to the free throw line, not feeling too good.
(1/2) made
(2/2) missed
Madelyn was brought to the bench, leaning on the Captain. She sat down and drank some water.
***
Time: 3:24
Score: 50-42 (Amazons lead by 8)
***
Seeing how beaten up Madelyn was, she was no longer allowed to play that game.
Those who were watching the game could easily tell that the Hulu Amazons were no longer what they were the previous year, and that their No. 1 ranked player just simply wasn't that good.
***
Zodiac Stars vs Hulu Amazons
Final Score: 100-86 (Amazons win by 14)
Madelyn:
3 min 59 sec
17 points
1 assist
3PF
5/7 FG
7/8 FT
***