Five. Five days of pure frustration had passed. Five days of homework, basketball and singing. It was almost over, she was so close to spring break. In one day, she would have the final game in the basketball championship. In two days she would participate in the school talent show with her two best friends. And after that, one full week of relaxation. She just had to get through three more days.
"Ok, today's practice is going to be a scrimmage. No drills, just a two-hour long scrimmage", Coach Andy said with his arms crossed. "I want you tk go hard, if you get tired just tell me, but I won't be putting you back in for a long time". The girls stared at each other. They were all nervous, the folloeing day they would all miss school and travel to Nelson Middle school to compete inthe final competition of the year. "Ok. Rayah, Mel, Iza, Laura, Amy and... Be- no... Mariana. You're all in the same team". Mel sighed in relief, "Thank God", she whispered to herself . Rayah and Laura were the best girls in the team, but she felt especially relieved to hear that Bella wasn't on her team.
Mel, being the tallest in her team, started off at the center, facing Laurel. "And go", yelled Coach Andy as he tossed the ball into the air. Mel slapped the ball from the air and into Iza's hands. Mel ran down the court, hands wide open as Iza dribbled the ball. But just as it looked like she was going to pass it to her, the ball slipped from her hands and was caught by Bella. She ran down the court, passed it to some red-headed girl on her team. The girl scored a three. "Whoo, nice", yelled coach while clapping his hands. "Iza, do you know ehat I'm about to say", he stared down at her. "Yes sir", she responded firmly. "Good, now go sit on the bleachers, you're switching with Amy.
One hour had passed. Mel's team was still losing, 8-24. "Take a five minute break, then we keep playing". Mel ran to her water bottle and drank almost half of it. "We suck", said Rayah, just out of nowhere. "Yeah, it's really depressing", responded Laura. "Maybe we could come up with a plan or something", whispered Mel. "Well no duh Sherlock", said Iza sarcastically.
Rayah had decided to try to come with a plan to try to help them win. They would all start with man-to-man, which would cause the other team to get tired faster. Then foe offense, they would do 5 out, a spread offense Mel had learned many years prior. If the other team changed to a 2-1-2 defense, like they had last time, they would switch to Pepper, a cose jame for Mel's favorite offense strategy. Coach Andy was yelling at the girls to get back up. He blew the whistle and they were off.
Mel was on Laurel. Covering her, blocking her from passing the ball to the her team. As Laurel tried to pass the ball to Bella, but Mel grabbed it from her hands and dribbled ti the other side of the court and scored a lay-up. They were winning by 4 points now. Only five minutes left of practice and she eouod be free. They were going to win and they would all be ready for the finals.
TWEET! Coach Andy blew the whistle and it was over. Practice was finally over and she could relax for the rest of the day. "Great job team one", Coach looked at Mel's team. "I want you to be just as tough as you were today tomorrow. We're going against Nelson Middle remember, one of the greatest teams here. We have to remember to work as a team, use your mind not just your strength. Now, who's ready for tomorrow", screamed Coach Andy in excitement. "We are", said the whole team at the same time. "Who's ready for tomorrow", he yelled even lowder. "We are", they all responded just as loudly. "Who's going to win tomorrow", he yelled. "We are", the all screamed, even Mel, because she knew they were gonna win, they had to.

© Azul Morales