Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Sorry, this chapter took so long. It is hard to write as kids but I wanted to introduce some key characters. So please ignore how bad this chapter is. It was either post this terrible chapter so I can move on or give up the story. My bad

Team Troy - Sarah, Troy, Hugh, Kerry, PJ

Team Emma - Emma, Grant, Josh, Lee, Owen

After a quick snack break, both the teams, Team Troy and Team Emma, gathered on the court. Both teams lined up with determination, clear as day in their eyes. Troy was given the ball to shoot for possession first. 

Troy took a breath before setting his feet and taking a jump shot. The ball rattled around the rim before dropping through the net. Emma slapped her cheeks and said, "Let's do thi,s guys." Steel glinted in her young voice

Jack's voice rang out once again, "Ladies and gentlemen, here we have it the third-place final. The fiery young Emma and the stalwart young Troy. Let's see what they got, folks." 

Sarah started with the ball on the perimeter. She started dribbling towards the right when she saw Troy get open for a shot on the baseline. She quickly passed the ball towards him. Emma reached out and was able to get a fingertip on it before it bounced out of bounds.

Emma took a breath and set herself in front of Sarah once again. Sarah restarted the play at the perimeter. This time, she immediately lobbed the ball over Emma's head to Hugh before running to the wing. Emma, with her eyes on the ball, didn't see the cut.

Hugh turned around and tried a shot, but it just bounced off the backboard before coming back towards the players. Troy, seeing where the ball was going, sprinted to the free ball and caught it on the short wing. He squared his feet and let fly. 

A clean swish was all that was heard in response. "Troy with the opening basket for the third place final. We saw that hustle always has its place folks and Troy rushed for a loose ball, and with a quick turnaround jump shot he sank the ball." Jack's commentary elicited cheers from the crowd.

Emma grits her teeth and gets back into defense. Sarah once again started dribbling the ball, but Emma managed to stay with her. Sarah tried a right-to-left crossover but fumbled the ball a touch, and Emma swooped in for the free ball. 

When Emma managed to regain control of the ball, she immediately searched the court for their most reliable option in Grant. Seeing that he was wide open, she threw the ball as fast as she could however, Troy keeping an eye on the play developing, rushed to intercept.

He was able to get a hand on the ball, knocking it off course. Lee was able to rush to the free ball before their team lost the possession. Lee grabbed the ball and was able to get the ball to Grant.

 As this was ensuing, Emma, who had full faith her pass would get through, kept running and cut to the rim. Grant turned and surveyed the court, seeing that Emma was wide open at the basket, lobbed the ball into her. Emma caught the ball, turned, and shot the layup. The shot dropped and the crowd let out a cheer. 

Jack's voice once again was heard around the court "Emma ties the game with her hard work in defense and never giving up on her team's possession. It is 1-1, folks, we got a game here." 

The game continued in a similar fashion; both teams were trading baskets back and forth in a hard-fought game. Troy carried his team with his consistent jump shots, while Emma's defense never wavered and was able to get some open baskets.

When the ball dropped for the final time, the score stood at 11-8. Unfortunately, for all of Emma's hard work, they didn't have the scoring output that Troy's team had, so while her defense was able to keep her team in it, it was simply not enough to get the win.

Asher walked over and hugged a panting Emma. "Good work, Em. Don't worry about losing the game. We can start practicing together whenever you want, OK?" he said. Emma, exhausted but seemingly content, nodded her head in his embrace before going over to sit with her mom and Laura.

Kelly was quick to try to reassure Emma, but it seemed to matter little as Emma's only response was, "Ssshhhh, Asher's game is about to start." Kelly looked at Laura, and they exchanged a knowing smile before turning their attention to the court. 

"IT IS TIME. The final game between Team Asher and Team Jason is about to begin. We saw both teams win their games handily enough, so I am sure we can expect an even more intense game going ahead, folks," said Jack

Team Asher - Asher, Tyler, Jasmine, Frank, Paul

Team Jason - Heather, Kyle, Jordan, Jason, Harry

Asher walked to the free-throw line and steadied himself. However, before he began his shooting motion, he locked eyes with Jason and let out a wolfish grin that didn't quite fit a five-year-old's face.

The audience, Jack and Ben, all saw the smile on Asher's face. The crowd whispered things like, "Such a cute kid." Both Jack and Ben knew better. Ben let out a sigh before readying himself for his kid's full efforts while Jack watched eagerly with the mic at his face.

And thus began a crushing game for a bunch of 5-year-old kids. Asher drained the free throw to gain possession of the ball to start, and with one more impish grin on his face, he began. Jason stood opposite him, full of energy after his team beat Emma's.

Asher opened with a double crossover that immediately put Jason off balance before he cut inside. The defense attempted to close out towards him, but before they took two steps, he threw up a high arcing floater that sank through the net. 

The crowd cheered, but it was just white noise in Asher's ears. Asher had only one goal in mind. He was going to win, he was going to win easily. This set the script for the rest of the game. Crossovers, floaters pin point passing. The game came to an end. 11-0 

The crowd wasn't cheering anymore if anything, they looked a bit put out. Jack's voice rang out. "That is a wrap, folks, 11-0, Team Asher wins the 1996 Asher Hawkins Championship. I truly believe we were just watching the future of basketball here at this tournament, folks. This is the great Jack Hawkins signing off, goodbye and goodnight" 

Jason walked over to Asher after the game, snot running down his nose as he looked at him. "Good game Ace," Jason said his piece and ran off to his parents. Emma came barging over and jumped at Asher, knocking them both to the ground. "You were awesome, Ash." 

Asher let out a chuckle. "Thanks, Em, told you I will be the best basketballer ever