As the Gary West JV team took the court for their pre-game layup lines, the gym began to fill somewhat with parents and some students no one didn't care that much about JV games. BJ dribbled the ball out in front of him, bouncing it lightly as he looked across at Bloomington North's JV team. They were already getting loose, their warm-up drills sharp and precise. But BJ wasn't worried.
"Yo, Reek, I swear they got like five dudes taller than me no way their freshman," BJ said, jogging over to Tyreek, who was taking a few warm-up jumpers from the corner.
Tyreek flashed a grin. "Height don't win games, bro. Speed does. We got that, so don't even trip."
"True," BJ replied, spinning the ball in his hands. "But if one of 'em catches me on a fast break, I'm outta there."
Xavier, who was nearby, overheard and laughed. "Yeah, man, you ain't outrunning anyone with them legs of yours. You'll be lucky if you don't end up in the hospital after tonight."
BJ shot him a playful glare "I'll have you know, I'm a blur on the court."
"Yeah Ight, if the blur is moving in slow motion," Xavier shot back with a laugh.
The three of them exchanged a few more jabs as the rest of the team finished up their layups. Malik and Andre were working on their post moves, while Xavier was stretching at the free-throw line. Coach White kept a close eye on everyone, making sure they stayed focused but relaxed.
After a few more minutes of stretching and loose shots, the gym lights dimmed, and the crowd's noise grew louder. It was time for introductions.
The announcer a man named John Falls who had been the school's announcer for years voice boomed over the loudspeakers, echoing throughout the gym.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight's JV basketball matchup between the Bloomington North Bears and your Gary West Bulldogs!"
The crowd cheered, the energy in the building as the Gary West players lined up at the baseline. The announcer paused, then continued.
"Now, let's meet the starting lineup for your Gary West Bulldogs!"
The spotlight shifted to the players as their names were announced, each one introduced with the thundering sound of the gym's speakers.
"At point guard, standing 5'9", a freshman from Gary, Indiana, #11, BJ Saint!" BJ nodded as his name echoed throughout the gym. He slapped all his teammate's hands and headed to the middle of the court.
"At shooting guard, standing 5'10", #2, Xavier King!" Xavier gave a confident nod as his name rang out, and he jogged out to his spot.
"At small forward, standing 6'0", a freshman, #3, Tyreek Lawson!" Tyreek flashed a wide grin toward the stands.
"At power forward, standing 5'10", #4, Malik Bennett!" Malik slapped his hands together before jogging out.
"And at the center, standing 5'11", #5, Andre Hicks!" Andre ran out to the center of the court
The team lined up in front of the bench, facing the crowd as the announcer's voice filled the gym once again.
"These are your Gary West Bulldogs! Let's hear it for 'em, folks!"
The small crowd cheered loudly, as BJ exchanged quick glances with his teammates. He could feel the excitement building in his chest, the anticipation of the game creeping up on him. This was the moment they'd all been working for.
After the announcer finished announcing both teams Coach White clapped his hands, signaling the team to gather around him. "Alright, boys. We've done the work, now it's time to show them what we've got. Let's keep the pressure up, run the floor, and stay smart. No mistakes. Go out there and make 'em remember who we are."
"Yes, sir!" the team responded in unison, fired up and ready to get started.
The gym was electric as the players jogged to their positions on the court, getting ready for the tip-off. BJ's heart raced this was what it was all about the start of a new season, a new chance to prove himself.
"Let's go, boys," BJ muttered under his breath, glancing at his teammates. "Time to work."
As the whistle blew, Bloomington North's center easily won the tip-off, sending the ball to their point guard at the top of the key.
BJ met him instantly and quickly matched up with their point guard, keeping his feet moving and pressuring the ball.
"Stay on him, BJ!" From the sideline, Coach White yelled, "Don't let him get comfortable!"
BJ shifted his weight, forcing the point guard to dribble around the top of the arc. His hands were up, anticipating any pass. But the Bloomington guard was sharp, faking left and driving right. BJ slid with him, staying in front.
"Help! Help!" BJ shouted, signaling to his teammates.
Tyreek, playing his man tight on the wing, saw the guard driving and quickly slid over for help defense. The Bloomington player saw Tyreek closing in and kicked the ball out to the shooting guard on the perimeter.
"X! Watch the three!" BJ yelled.
Xavier in a perfect position, sprinted to contest the shot. Though open for a moment, the Bloomington shooting guard hesitated just long enough for Xavier to get a hand in his face. The ball clanged off the rim, and Malik pulled down the rebound.
"Let's go! Push it!" Coach White yelled, already pointing to the fast break.
BJ grabbed the rebound and dribbled it up the court, head up, scanning for options. He saw Xavier sprinting to the right wing and Tyreek running to the left side. Andre was trailing the play, and Malik was setting up near the free-throw line.
"Push, BJ Attack the rim!" Coach Saint shouted from the sideline. The varsity was still going over the film, but he couldn't miss his son's first high school basketball game.
BJ quickly crossed midcourt, drawing a defender to him. He passed to Tyreek on the left wing, who faked a shot, and then dribbled inside. He was met by a defender, but with a quick spin, Tyreek found Malik cutting to the basket.
"Good pass!" Malik shouted as he caught the ball and went up for a layup, drawing the foul in the process. The ball bounced off the back rim, but he finished the play with a free throw.
"Good job, Malik, way to attack," Coach White shouted, encouraging the play. "Stay aggressive, boys!"
Malik sank the free throw, putting Gary West up 3-0.
With the score at 3-0, Bloomington North quickly inbounded the ball, aiming to strike back. BJ was ready, lurking at midcourt, waiting for any opportunity to cut off their offense. Bloomington's point guard barely crossed the half-court line before BJ was in his face, pestering him with tight pressure.
The Bloomington guard tried to make a quick move to his right, but BJ was faster, sliding smoothly and cutting him off. "You're gonna have to do better than that," BJ muttered, flashing a quick grin. Frustrated, the guard passed it off to the wing.
Xavier kept a close watch on his man, forcing Bloomington to swing it around the perimeter. The ball eventually ended up in the hands of their small forward, who attempted a contested three. The shot went up, clanked off the rim, and Andre was there to pull down the rebound.
"Push!" Coach White yelled from the sideline.
BJ took off down the court already two steps ahead of the nearest defender. Andre snapped a quick outlet pass, and BJ caught it in stride, streaking down the left side. Only Bloomington's shooting guard was back on defense, but BJ had a plan. He did something he practiced for a long time now he eurosteped past his man for an easy layup.
"Too slow!" BJ called out with a smirk as he jogged back on defense, already locking eyes on the next play.
The first quarter continued with intense back-and-forth action. Coach White rotated in Lamar and Nick midway through, giving Malik and Xavier a quick rest. Bloomington North managed to cut the lead with a couple of solid drives, and they were hanging close at 10-6.
BJ caught a pass from Tyreek at the top of the arc. Instead of setting up the offense, he bolted toward the hoop, getting through defenders before they could react. He finished with a slick finger roll.
The crowd cheered as Bloomington called a timeout to regroup, their coach visibly frustrated by Gary West's speed on the floor.
When the teams returned to the court, Coach White pulled BJ aside briefly. "Good pace, BJ, but keep setting the team up too. Don't forget the wings."
BJ nodded, flashing a small smile. As the quarter came to a close, BJ found Tyreek for a quick corner three. The buzzer sounded as the ball swished through, and Gary West took a solid 15-9 lead into the second quarter.