A figure stood in the shadows, donning the Queen's white jersey as the players watched with bated breath. They immediately recognized the jersey number and their anticipation grew. It was the teammate they had been eagerly waiting to play with. The coach had decided to substitute this player into the game at a critical moment, much to the delight of the team
"Yes Coach. It's time for our payback. Let's give them a taste of their own medicine, shall we?" Tosin asked, smiling
"YES!!!" the team chorused, their collective spirit rising
Tosin made her way to the team's bench, her teammates warmly welcomed her with high-fives and words of encouragement. They were elated to finally play with her in an official game and couldn't wait to see her in action
The players listened as the coach spoke before the start of the final quarter. "Alright, the rest is up to you. GO GIVE THEM HELL!!!" Mrs. Lawal yelled
"Yes ma'am" the team chorused
"Alright guys. Like it or not, this is the final quarter of the game. The outcome of the game at the end of this quarter will determine the winner" Tosin said
"Yeah!" the team chorused
"Alright, on 3, 2, 1, Charlie Queens!!! Fight!!!" Tosin yelled,
"YEAAAAHHH!!!" The team yelled in unison
"Now, let's go on a trip to destruction city!" Tosin said, putting on an evil grin and stepping into the court
The stage was set for an epic fourth quarter showdown. The Charlottes, holding a substantial lead, were determined to seal the victory and put the game out of reach. However, the Queens had found a renewed sense of purpose thanks to Shalom's heroic efforts in the previous quarter, reducing the deficit to a more manageable 12 points.
"Number 10? Who is she? She wasn't in their last game" Esther said
"I thought she was their manager. She always sits next to their coach." Yinka said.
Yinka had replaced Emmanuella on the court as the team's small forward for the final quarter
"Well, she doesn't seem like she is good" Loveth said
"Now now, don't underestimate her," Esther said. "If she is coming in now, that means she has something up her sleeves and it's bound to be big"
Both teams understood the gravity of the situation as they took their positions on the court. The Charlottes knew that they couldn't afford to let their guard down, while the Queens recognized that this was their last chance to make a comeback and salvage the game. It was a 'sail or sink' situation for both sides
As Eno passed the ball to Oluchi for the start of the fourth quarter, the gymnasium was electric with anticipation. The players were focused, the coaches were tense, and the fans were on the edge of their seats. This fourth quarter promised to be a thrilling battle of wills, skills and determination
Tosin's debut in the fourth quarter was nothing short of impressive. Taking advantage of her towering stature, she soared through the air and executed a jaw-dropping windmill slam dunk after receiving a pass from Tolu. The Queens' bench erupted in excitement, their spirit lifted by this display of athleticism and talent
Emmanuella, now relegated to the bench after being subbed out, watched Tosin's performance with a mix of surprise and disbelief. As she witnessed the identical windmill slam dunk that she herself had executed earlier in the game, she couldn't help but exclaim, "but that's my move!" The shock of seeing her signature move replicated by the new comer was palpable
The Queens buoyed by Tosin's stellar entrance, continued to chip away at the Charlottes' lead. With the arena buzzing and the momentum shifting in their favour, the stage was set for an intense back-and-forth between the 2 teams as they battled for supremacy in the final quarter
Meanwhile, in a cozy living room of Tosin's home, Sade sat glued to the television, her eyes welling with tears of pride and joy. As she watched Tosin take on the court and immediately make a splash with her spectacular windmill slam dunk, a race of emotions swept over her
The sense of accomplishment and happiness she felt in that moment was indescribable. She had always known that Tosin was destined for greatness, but to see her performing live on T.V., captivating audiences nationwide with her talent and passion, was a dream come true
Tears of joy streamed down her face as she watched the crowd erupt in excitement, cheering on her daughter and her team. She knew that this was just the beginning of an incredible journey for her daughter, and she couldn't wait to see all that her daughter would achieve in the world of basketball
While few parents would celebrate seeing their children on T.V. pursuing their passion and dreams, others might not appreciate it
"Mummy! Daddy!" Segun called out
"Yes honey." Mrs. Fashola answered
"Tolu is on T.V." Segun yelled. "come and see"
Mr. & Mrs. Fashola came to the living room to see why their son was calling them
"Segun, what is it?" Mr. Fashola asked
"Tolu is on T.V." Segun said, pointing at the T.V.
Seeing Tolu playing a live basketball game on T.V., Mrs. Fashola said "Oh God, what is wrong with this girl? What have I done to deserve this?"
"See your daughter. Like mother, like daughter" Mr. Fashola said, walking back to his room
"Oh, she's my daughter now, eh?" Mrs. Fashola said, following after Mr. Fashola
Back on the court, The Queens are on defense, looking to stop the Charlottes' attack. Esther passed the ball to Yinka. She hurriedly launched a jump shot from the 3-pt area desperate to increase the lead to 13 points. The ball sailed through the air, landed on the hoop and rimmed out, sparking a rebounding battle under the basket. 4 girls poised; eyes fixed on the ball as it caromed off the basket. In unison, they sprang into action, their bodies launching upward in a fierce bid to claim the rebound
"You again? What in the world are you?" Loveth thought. Along with Amaka and Eno, she had lost the rebound to Tosin
Tosin passed the ball to Oluchi. The Queens moved up the court as they hope to cut the gap further to single digit. Like in the second quarter, Oluchi passed the ball to what looked like an opened space. The ball then ricocheted and landed into Tosin's right hand for an alley-oop
Tosin was on fire, showing no signs of slowing down as she continued to put on a show for the rapturous crowd. In an incredible display of teamwork and athleticism, jumping from the free throw line, she soared towards the rim and connected to another perfectly timed alley-oop pass from Tolu. The crowd erupted in a deafening roar as Tosin slammed the ball home, the sheer power and precision of the play leaving them in awe. The Queens' bench leapt to their feet, celebrating as they realize now that they now trail the Charlottes by 6 points
The momentum of the game had shifted dramatically, and the Charlottes who had been so comfortably in control just moments before, suddenly found themselves on the backfoot. Tosin's stunning performance had injected new life into the Queens, and they were now playing with an intensity and drive that seemed unstoppable
"Guys! It's not over! Don't relent until the final buzzer" Tosin yelled
"YEAH!!!" the team yelled
"Plan B, guys, let's go!" Tosin yelled
"YEAH!!!" the team yelled
The Queens knew exactly what this meant – something Tosin came up with after watching an NBA game during the weekends. She only told the lineup playing in the final quarter so not every member of the team is aware of the plan
"Huh? Plan B?" Shalom said, curiosity piqued
"Hmmm, interesting" Mrs. Lawal said, her lips spreading with a smile
"Coach, what did you tell Tosin before bringing her in? Is this really where you wanted to unleash her?" Shalom asked
"Well, I wanted to unleash her at the Christmas Champions cup but I thought it might be better for her if she played the playoffs and gained some experience" Mrs. Lawal explained
"I see. Did you give her any piece of advice?" Shalom asked, "She's owning the court right now. I'd have doubted her rookie status if she wasn't my teammate"
Mrs. Lawal let out a short laugh before answering "To be honest, I just told her to time her jumps well; that's all. What we are witnessing now is all Tosin. Nothing but her"
"So, what about the plan B? What is it?" Mayowa asked
"The fact that you are asking me means you guys don't know about it either" Mrs. Lawal said
"No, we don't" Mayowa replied
"Well, I don't know it either. It's probably something Tosin cane up with" Mrs. Lawal said
"Incredible" Shalom said in a low tone
Tosin's call for plan B not only signaled change in their offensive strategy but also triggered a shift in their defensive approach. Understanding the importance of every possession, the Queens committed to a full-court defense, each player locking down their assigned opponent with laser-like focus
"I see. So, that's what she came up with, huh?" Mrs. Lawal said "The full-court defense. With this defense, the opposition team will be under a tremendous amount of pressure. Thus, the opposition team could incur any number of turnovers as anything could happen with this defense; however…"
"However?" Shalom asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and feat
"Once broken through, it's powerless" Mrs. Lawal said bluntly, causing the girls to skip a breath
The Charlottes, caught off guard by the sudden increase in the defensive pressure, struggled to find openings or create space for their shooters. The Queens' relentless man-to-man coverage made hard for the Charlottes to move the ball effectively, let alone score
The intensity on the court was palpable as the clock ticked down. The Queens, fueled by Tosin's leadership and their own determination, refused to let up, their eyes fixed on the prize – a stunning comeback victory that would go down in the history book
With the score still dangerously close, the Charlottes knew they needed to find a way to break through the Queens' suffocating defense if they hoped to hold on to their lead. But with each passing second, the Queens' resolve only grew stronger, their grip on the game tightening with every defensive stop
The Queens' relentless full-court defense paid off in a big way, as they forced the Charlottes into 3 consecutive turnovers. With each turnover, the Queens capitalized, scoring quickly and efficiently, erasing the Charlottes' once-comfortable lead and pulling ahead
The atmosphere in the gymnasium reached a fever pitch as Tosin, showing nerves of steel, stepped up and sank a crucial 3 pointer that gave the Queens a 1-point lead with 4 seconds left in the game. The crowd erupted in a deafening roar, ecstatic to witness such an incredible comeback unfold before their eyes
Sensing the urgency of the situation, Coach Emeka called a timeout-their last of the game. The players huddle around him, their etched with a mix of determination and desperation. They knew that the next 4 seconds could make or break their chances of winning
"Coach, we are sorry. We let a huge lead slip through our fingers" Esther said
"This isn't the time for that" Coach Emeka said "To break through their full-court defense, we need pace. We've got someone on our team who is capable of that; Emmanuella, you're in"
"Yes sir!" said Emmanuella
"Win or lose, this is the last play of the game. Let's win this" Coach Emeka said
"YES SIR!!!" the Charlotte yelled
Meanwhile at the Queens' bench
"Well-done, guys. I'm proud of you all" Mrs. Lawal said, smiling "we are leading with 4 seconds left. Emmanuella could come into the game now"
"In that case, put me in. I'll handle Emmanuella" Shalom said
Mrs. Lawal sighed "Relax. We will continue this way. I believe in you girls" Mrs. Lawal said, smiling
The stage was set for a dramatic final sequence with both teams poised to give their all in battle for victory. The Queens, riding high on the momentum of their miraculous comeback, were determined to hold on to their hard-earned lead, while the Charlottes were determined as they seemed to have found a way to steal the win in the dying seconds of the game.
The Queens' defense proved too stubborn to break. However, with Tolu seemingly missing, Emmanuella was opened for a pass. Getting a pass from Nike, Emmanuella dribbled through but she was double teamed by Mercy and Tosin. With nowhere to go, Emmanuella passed the ball to Nike who was opened because Mercy was marking Emmanuella with Tosin. Feeling confident and determine as the ball sailed towards her, Nike wore a triumphant expression. Tolu who seemed to be missing moments ago, suddenly appeared between Nike and the ball and intercepted the pass, putting the game to bed as the final buzzer sounded
The crowd broke out a deafening roar as the scoreboard confirmed the Queens' victory. The Queens' bench erupted in jubilation, players jumping into each other's arms and celebrating their incredible comeback; the score being 81-80
Tosin and Tolu, the catalysts for the Queens' victory, were mobbed by their teammates as they congratulated them on their clutch performances. The Charlottes meanwhile could only watch in disbelief as their once-comfortable lead evaporated, leaving them to ponder what might have been
As the students greeted themselves, and exchanged well-wishes, the spectators in the gymnasium began to file out, buzzing with excitement and disbelief at the remarkable game they had just witnessed. The Queens' incredible fourth quarter comeback would be talked about for years to come, a testament to their resilience, teamwork, and Tosin's clutch performance.
The Queens' locker room was electric with excitement. They high-fived and hugged each other, grinning from ear to ear.
"What a comeback!" Mayowa exclaimed
"Yeah, we didn't give up!" Tolu exclaimed
Meanwhile at a different gymnasium
"This is bad," one player muttered
"I wasn't expecting to be beaten like this" another said, her voice laced with frustration
"It's all because of her. She is unbeatable one-on-one. If only she wasn't here…" said another player
The final buzzer sounded signaling that the Rose Mary High School team won their game with ease. The score being 98-43. They advanced to the Quarter finals where they'd face the Charlie Queens Academy team
The Rose Mary High School team players were looking forward to their matchup against the Charlie Queens Academy team. Their ace player, a tall, huge girl with a confident grin boasted to her teammates, "we are gonna beat the Queens and advance to the semifinals of the playoffs"
"YEAH!" yelled the Rose Mary High School team