Moments before the game, the sky darkened ominously, casting a grey pallor over the world beyond the walls of the building. A sudden gust of wind picked up outside the gymnasium, rustling through the trees and whipping up fallen leaves. The heavens opened, releasing a torrent of rain that pounded against the windows and roof. The sound of raindrops hitting the glass echoed through the gymnasium, adding to the already-electric atmosphere. Outside, the rain came down in sheets, blurring the world beyond the windows and creating an eerie, otherworldly atmosphere. The thunder rumbled in the distance, its voice growing louder with each passing moment
Despite the tempestuous weather outside, the players remained focused on the game at hand. The gymnasium was locked tight against the elements, ensuring that the game could proceed without interruption. As the starting whistle pierced the air and the soaring ball reached its peak for a tipoff, Eno beat Marget to the jump ball, tapping the ball to Oluchi as the teams leapt into action, their movements fluid and purposeful, their attention fixed on the court and the battle that was about to unfold.
Oluchi's eyes sparkled with a secret signal, and the other four Queens instantly scattered, weaving in and out of each other in a dazzling display of speed and agility. The African Church struggled to keep up, their eyes darting back and forth as they tried to anticipate the Queens' next move
Oluchi, meanwhile had bounce the ball towards the opposition hoop. With a flick of her wrist, she launched the ball high into the air, leaving everyone in the gymnasium wondering what her intentions were. The ball seemed to hang, suspended in mid-air, and for a moment, it looked as though it would sail out of bound. But then, in a flash of movements, Tosin appeared out of nowhere, her legs coiled like a spring as she launched herself into the air. Time seemed to slow down as Tosin reached the apex of her jump, her fingers closing around the ball, like a vice. And then, in a move that left the crowd grasping in amazement, Tosin slammed the ball into the hoop with incredible force
The gymnasium erupted into chaos, the crowd surging its feet as the Queens celebrated their incredible play. The African Church, meanwhile could only stare in stunned silence, their faces pale with shock
Coach Blanc's eyes were fixed on Tosin, his expression a mix of shock and concern. "I didn't believe it when Nkem said she knew a high school female student who could jump higher than the hoop. Seeing her up close, I've got goosebumps. I guess she wasn't lying after all. Number 10, huh? Hmmm…. We have to do something about her, else she could be trouble for us"
The African Church's manager nodded in agreement, her face in a determined expression
In the crowd, the spectators were still reeling from Tosin's incredible dunk. "Did she just jump above the hoop? Damn! That's insane! Kids these days are insanely talented" one spectator exclaimed
"Yeah, and her height is unbelievable. What is she eating?" Another spectator joked
Just as the crowd was trying to process what they had just seen, Ruth received a short pass from Lola, the small forward of the African Church team. With lightning-speed and force, Ruth punched the ball to the other side of the court, where it landed on Margaret
Tolu, who was sitting on the Queens' bench, stood up, frozen in shock, "What…..?" She trailed off, her eyes fixed on Ruth
Margaret took off into the air, slamming the ball lightly into the hoop and tying the game. The crowd's resulting roars were deafening, and it was clear that they were in for a legendary match
Mercy's eyes were wide with amazement. "Damn! That pass was so fast, I couldn't see the ball. How did she catch it?"
Shalom nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's amazing. But doesn't that pass look similar to Tolu's passes? Or is it just me?"
Tosin's expression turned serious. "Yeah , just that this is slightly faster. Guys, don't lose focus for even a moment because the opponent we are facing now is truly strong"
The Queens responded with a loud unified "YEAH!"
On the other side of the court, Nkem let out a short, loud laugh that drew everyone's attention to her. "I've been waiting for this," she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Now, this is what I call a game. The Queens and the African Church, let's enjoy ourselves to the fullest because this game is just getting started!"
As the game resumed, the Queens maintained control of the ball amidst the cacophony of cheers that filled the gymnasium. The noise in the gymnasium was nearly overwhelming, causing players to rely on nonverbal cues and well-honed instinct to communicate with their teammates
Oluchi, the Queens' point guard, dribbled the ball skillfully as she advanced towards the opposing team's hoop. Her teammates fanned out around her, ready to support her in any way they could. As Oluchi approached, she found herself face-to-face with Nkem, the African Church's point guard, who wore a sly grin on her face
"Hey, Oluchi, right?" Nkem said, her voice barely audible over the din of the crowd "This game is gonna be really interesting. I look forward to our duels as point guards in this game," Nkem's lips curled into a taunting smile, her confidence on full display
Oluchi, unfazed by Nkem's provocation, kept her gaze fixed on her opponent while maintaining a steadfast grip on the ball. As the shot clock ticked down to its final 12 seconds, Oluchi's focus shifted momentarily to Shalom, who lingered just a few steps to her left.
Seizing the opportunity, Oluchi executed a masterful no-look pass to Mercy, who stood poised and ready a few steps away to her right
Nkem's eyes widened in shock. "What? A no-look pass?" She exclaimed
The ball landed smoothly in Mercy's capable hands. Without hesitation, she elevated and launched a smooth three-pointer almost immediately. The ball arced gracefully through the air, sailing towards the hoop and the crowd held its breath. With a satisfying swish, the ball found its mark, sinking cleanly through the net and sending the spectators into a frenzy of cheers and applause
Determined to retaliate, Nkem received a pass from Lola as the game resumed. With her teammates surrounding her, she confidently advanced down the court, her composure unwavering as she dribbled the ball. Oluchi shadowed her closely, but Nkem simply smiled, undaunted by the pressure
"That was a good pass just now," Nkem conceded, her voice dripping with false admiration. "The three points were also huge. You guys are amazing, I'm in love. However, that doesn't guarantee victory. It's not that simple. From here on out, we are going too seriously crush you guys."
As soon as the words left her lips, Nkem unleashed a seemingly ill-advised pass that appeared to be headed for no one in particular. But in a stunning display of coordination and timing, Ruth emerged out of thin air, expertly redirecting the ball towards Evelyn, the African Church's shooting guard.
Evelyn, ever-vigilant and poised to strike, immediately set her feet and released a smooth, high-arching three-pointer. The ball sailed through the air, dancing on the rim for a tense moment before finally falling through the net.
The game resumed with Oluchi dribbling towards the opposition's hoop. She could feel the intensity of Nkem's defense.
"Bring it on!" Nkem taunted; her eyes locked onto her opponent
Oluchi sensed an undeniable pressure radiating from Nkem, realizing that overcoming her in this moment would be a daunting task
Meanwhile, Shalom guarded Ruth closely, their duel fueled by a mix of admiration and rivalry. Ruth's voice dropped to a bittersweet tone as she spoke. "Hey Shalom, I hate the idea of going up against you and Tosin, and yet it has to be done. Wish we all went to the same school, but it can't be helped. For the sake of my dreams, I'll crush you guys!"
In an instant, Ruth seemed to vanish from Shalom's sight, her movement as swift and elusive as a shadow. "Huh!" Shalom gasped; her bewilderment palpable
Oluchi released a pass to Tosin, who was standing close to the hoop. But in a shocking twist, Ruth, who had seemingly been nowhere near the action, materialized out of thin air to intercept the pass. Her enthusiasm was contagious as she shouted, "Counter!!!"
The African Church team reacted to Ruth's cry with lightning-fast reflexes, breaking into a perfectly synchronized attack.
Anticipating their opponent's strategy, Shalom raced to defend, determined to halt Ruth's advance
As Ruth neared the three-pointer arc, she suddenly shifted into a shooting stance. Shalom was caught off guard, not expecting Ruth to shoot. Ruth released a stunning three-pointer, leaving the Queens stunned
With the African Church in complete control of the game, they set up their defense, their spirits highs and their confidence unshakeable. Nkem, her voice ringing with defiance, called out their rivals. "Alright, Queens or whatever bring it on! We are going to crush you!"
With the tide of momentum threatening to overwhelm them, the Queens steeled their resolve and prepared to mount a comeback. Oluchi, the driving force behind their attacks, found herself stifled by Nkem's relentless defense. Determined to adapt, she sought out a new strategy
Shalom, her focus unwavering, called out to Oluchi. "Oluchi, over here!"
In a seamless display of teamwork, Oluchi launched the ball through the air, its trajectory guiding it perfectly into Shalom's waiting hands
Bouncing the ball with laser-like focus, Shalom addressed her opponent, her voice tingled with respect. "Ruth, you are good. I can't recognize you. But we will still win!"
In a flash, Shalom yelled, "Tosin!" drawing everyone's attention towards her teammate. But in a cunning sleight of hand, Shalom executed a stunning fake pass, deceiving both friends and foes alike.
Capitalizing on the momentary confusion, she deftly drove past Ruth, her movements as fluid and graceful as a dancer's. With a surgically precise motion, Shalom entered her shooting stance and launched a two-point jumper. The ball sailed through the air; its path seemingly destined for the hoop
But Lola, her anticipation finely honed, reacted in the nick of time, leaping into the air to challenge Shalom's shot. With sheer force of will, she managed to graze the ball with her outstretched index finger, altering its course and sending it careening towards the hoop
The ball bounced off the rim, transforming into a rebounding opportunity. Eno, her reflexes sharp, sprang into the air, her hands outstretched to claim the airborne ball. But Margaret, displaying exceptional agility, launched herself skyward, snatching the ball from Eno's grasp with a claw-like hand
As soon as Margaret's feet touched the court, she hurled the ball towards Nkem, igniting a fastbreak attack. With her teammates racing alongside her, Nkem received the ball and hurtled towards the hoop. Nkem released a pass towards Margaret, tightly guarded by Eno
Despite Eno's tenacious defense, Margaret's claw-like grip on the ball remained firm. With a forceful motion, she executed a layup, adding to the scoreboard as the spectators erupted in a frenzy of excitement
Nkem grinned, impressed by Margaret's display of skill. "Nice shot, Margaret" she said as they greeted each other with a high-five
Margaret smiled, her eyes shining with pride. "Thanks, Captain," she replied, her voice filled with respect and admiration for Nkem's leadership
As the game progressed, the Queens found themselves falling further behind, their frustration and desperation mounting with each passing moment.
Oluchi, the Queens' point guard, struggled to focus, her mind racing to devise a strategy that could turn the tide in their favour
In her distracted state, Oluchi released a pass to Mercy that was expertly intercepted by Nkem. With lightning-fast reflexes, Nkem initiates a devastating fastbreak, resulting in yet another two points for her team
Tosin, attempting to regroup, passed the ball to Oluchi for a restart. But the ever-present pressure of Nkem's defense proved to be too much for Oluchi, who quickly passed the ball without taking any decisive action. This time, the pass found its way into Eno's hands beneath the hoop
Eno, determined to create an opportunity, engage in a grueling post play battle with Margaret. Despite her best efforts, Margaret's unwavering defense made it nearly impossible for Eno to break through. With four seconds remaining on the shot clock, Eno decided to force her way through with brute strength, attempting a one-handed slam dunk. But Margaret's solid defense prevailed, blocking the shot and denying Eno any chance of scoring
Nkem, always alert and ready to capitalize on any mistake, snatched the rebound and launched yet another fastbreak for the African Church. She passed the ball into a seemingly empty space but Ruth, displaying her uncanny ability to read the play, punched the ball towards Margaret
Margaret, already in the air as if she had anticipated Ruth's pass, received the ball with perfect precision. The pass sailed through the air at lightning speed, ending up flawlessly in Margaret's grasp. With a powerful and well-timed motion, Margaret slammed the ball into the hoop, concluding a perfectly-synchronized counterattack with an awe-inspiring alley-oop
As the African Church's lead continued to grow, the spectators began to question the Queens' coach's abilities. Despite her team's obvious struggles, she hadn't called a single time out to regroup and strategize, leaving many to wonder if the Queens were truly prepared to face such a formidable opponent
As the game continued, Oluchi, the Queens' point guard and the driving force behind their offenses, found herself once again facing off against Nkem's impenetrable defense. With each dribble, Oluchi searched for an opening, but Nkem remained an immovable obstacle
Taking a deep breath, Oluchi steeled her resolve and unleashed a three-pointer, catching the usually vigilant Nkem off guard. The ball soared through the air, finding its mark as it swished through the net, providing the Queens with a much-needed glimmer of hope
Undeterred, Nkem regained possession and began to advance, her eyes locked on Oluchi's defensive stance. The two rivals engaged in a mental game of chess, each anticipating the other's moves. As the clock ticked down to three seconds remaining in the first quarter, Nkem took an unexpected leap backward, releasing an unorthodox fadeaway three pointer
Despite Oluchi's best efforts to defend, Nkem's unorthodox move prevailed. The ball sailed through the air, guided by Nkem's unwavering aim, and dropped cleanly through the net just as the buzzer signaled the end of the quarter
At the African Church's bench, the team's spirit was high, but coach Blanc's expression remained cautious, He refused to celebrate just yet. He couldn't shake the feeling that Mrs. Lawal's hesitation to call a timeout, despite the Queens' obvious struggles was a cause of concern.
"The score is 23-10 in our favour, but don't let your guard down. I feel their Coach is up to something. So, we can't let our guard down for even a second" he warned
"Yeah!" the team chorused; their determination unwavering
Meanwhile, Ruth and Margaret playfully reminded Nkem of her earlier remarks about Tosin, their laughter filling the air. "Nkem, apart from being able to jump ridiculously high, Tosin doesn't know how to do anything." Margaret teased
Nkem cast a thoughtful glance towards Tosin, who was sitting quietly, intently listening to her coach's instruction ahead of the second quarter. "Nah," Nkem replied, her tone measured and serious.
"Huh?" Margaret and Ruth chorused, their laughter subsiding
"I'm even more certain after this quarter." Nkem continued. "Tosin is either hiding something dangerous, or she doesn't know she has a dangerous ability."
Margaret's brow furrowed with confusion. "Again, what makes you say so?"
"If it's something she doesn't know about, then it'd be better if it doesn't get unleashed accidentally in this game. It can happen in another game. I fear she'd be unstoppable if that ability gets unleashed. We have to be careful. Extremely careful. Trust me," Nkem warned, her causing Margaret and Ruth to skip a breath
Meanwhile at the Queens' bench, Mrs. Lawal addressed her team, her voice filled with conviction. "Guys, I'm sorry I couldn't help out in the first quarter, but I want you girls to trust me. Just like in the first quarter, I won't call a single timeout in the second quarter. I want you to do everything within your power to prevent the gap from widening in the second quarter. Because the game will truly start in the second half. That's when our counterattack begins. But for now, I want you girls to trust me and defend like your life depends on it
"YEAH!!!" The Queens yelled in unison; their resolve strengthened by their Coach's words