Carleton school team only had a slot for one freshman and this year the player that was lacking was a punch guard. I and Collins were surely going to apply for the trials I was like very doubtful of me making the team I just wanted to make it to the freshman team at least. During the trials the best player had a slot at the school team and automatically was the captain of the freshman team, while the others who did good were recruited into the freshman team. You had to make it to the third round at least to me a member of the freshman team, the trials involved the free throws, three point shoots and dribbling, if you wanted to maki it to the freshman team you had to dribble at least 2 people in a row. And the final test was a dunk test, I knew my dunk was not perfect and skillful but at least I could hoop.
We were in the schools basketball court and many students were gathered for the trials it was during classes free hours so most people wanted to see the Freshers showcase their talents. I and Collins were in our kits doing the warm ups when I spotted the girl from the orientation day she was still surrounded by her friends from that day. I stopped to stare again and the she came by me and said in a low tune which was almost like a whisper " Maybe you should stop staring and take a picture" she said it with a smile and moved on with her friends. I was astonished and shocked, I didn't really think she knew about my constant stares at her each time I saw her. Collins had noticed and came by dragging me back to continue the warm up and then curiously asked " what did she say?.... I bet she was feeling you nigga, you've got the swag man" he said buh I knew it was a joke.
" She just said I take a picture instead of staring... Like I didn't know it was that obvious though" I said almost like a little kid in the fifth grade. I was really shocked.
"That's a good sign dude, man if I were you I'll use this trials to impress her though" he said coldly, u didn't see it as good idea at first though but after a rethink I thought it was a good idea. I was like very obsessed with this girl and I really wanted to at least start talking to her but I didn't know how to start, so I decided I was gonna take this like the finals we had played back in highschool. We had a highschool finals game where we had to win the championship cause it's was going to be our last. I and Collins had put in all our work into the match. We won the championship and I got the MVP award cause he has been guarded by two players and I was better with 3 point throw so I had to save the and it was like I had to draw the defenders out to pass him the ball or was more like a tactical play cause we had put much into the preparations of the match. The match was one of our greatest achievements as a team.
I was the fourth on the line, Collins was behind. We had a bet that anyone who loses before the final stage would have to clean the room for a week. I was gonna do that for a week and I had a girl to impress so, I had to get to the final round.
Reluctantly I stepped forward, it was my turn to shoot, the coach repeated the rules, you were to take 10 shots and if you didn't score above 5 you were gonna be eliminated. I looked at the rim hanging high above and took a deep breath, I positioned the ball in a pattern we were taught and the stance like a squat and took the shot. I was almost gonna turn back and smile at Collins to confirm the count when it bounced on the rim and went out. I had missed my first shot. Some of the players were already giggling in amusement. I turned back and Collins signaled towards the audience. He was pointing at my latest obsession, the girl. Her reaction was literally not what I expected, she was looking more like she was expecting something better. I tightened up my face and with a quick glance at Collins so he could confirm my seriousness. I received the ball and with less efforts I took the second shot, "DANG, that's my boy" Collin shouted as the shot went in, same with the third, fourth, fifth till the last. My last shot was terrific cause Immy I took it I turned and was heading back to the line when Collins affirmed with his exclamation. I turned to see the girls reaction but I don't know why it was still blank, maybe she didn't see it I said as I turned back.
Collins didn't take much time with his shots like me, he aimed for the board and not the hoops. So he made 8 of his shots. And I gave him same support he gave to me. We always did it soo it was kinda normal for we both. When he had come to join me he said with a little chuckle" the girl's tripping yunno" and I said "" Naaàhh bro, she's blank" I said waving him off.
For the three point shoots it was a little bit tougher, many people had lost when it came to this. I was good at it so I didn't really see as a fuss. Then it came to our dribbling, the both boys leaned in one direction so it was easier to make them choose sides and then quickly move in between an take the lay up. Collins had also done his well.and we were in the final round for the test. After this was a test match to see how we could operate under tension. It was the dunking, I dreaded this the most I had to jump higher than usual so I could put the ball in a net. Usually I did that only in some occasions when the ball was already in the air an in motion. I had switched position with Collins. He had all his three dunks in and he told me I had to do it if I really wanted to impress this girl. She was like a personal motivation to me that day. So after successfully completing my first dunk I was confident and missed the second. The third had to be a little but spicy so I tried to make it and did a backward dunk, it was my first and probably my best. I was also surprised and Collins as usual exclaimed giving me a little confidence to shake him. We were only 3 remaining after the last contest, Collins, I and the other Freshers , his name was Melvin. The coach had taken a deep suspense before calling the names of the the new fresher team, my name was next to Collins. I was less concerned and he called I and Collins. I was confused, and happy I made the team. He had watched us play at the finals buh since it was our first finals and Carleton didn't offer scholarships in basketball that year. They took both of us for both the scholarship and fresher. It was like a dream come true for me, I always told Collin u was the scholarship and he was the fresher and we will both laugh at the joke.
When the trials were done, I saw the lady leaving so I summoned courage to at least ask for her name.
" He_ he_ heyyyyyy..." I said stammering
She turned back almost as if she were angry the finally with a faint smile which came out as though it was forced" Hi, So you are not just a looker buh also a hooper"
I smiled and said " so you were watching?" And quickly decided that was off." Do you also play ball?" I asked to make her forget the first question.
" Nope, I don't play,.... And why would I be doing here of I wasn't watching you guys play"
" I could teach you some time " I said with my voice almost fading.
She just smiled and started Walt when I just said " So your names...." Almost about to dig up my grave and go under.
" Zinnia... My name's Zinnia" she said as she went off without asking for mine.
I almost got tripping when she met her friends and some moments later started laughing.
"She's into you bro, chill" Collins said with a pat on my shoulder.
" She didn't even ask me my name" I said doubtfully.