*September 20th 2067*
The cold, wet, and rainy morning marked the start of a new chapter in Tosin's life. Three years had passed and Tosin, now a senior student, walked through the familiar school premises with confidence and grace. Her once uncertain steps had been replaced by an assured stride as she held an umbrella, protecting herself from the steady downpour
Navigating the row of classrooms, Tosin searched for her new class, eager to begin her journey as a senior student in high school. Just as she was about to enter the building, a familiar voice called out from behind her. "Hello, Tosin,"
Tosin turned, a smile spreading across her face as she recognized the voice of her old friend, Oluchi. "Hello, Oluchi," she replied, stepping forward to give her a quick hug. "it's been a while, hasn't it?"
Oluchi nodded, beaming with excitement. "It sure has! It looks like we are in the same class again this year. I'm so glad we will have the time to catch up and spend more time together. Hey, how much taller are you planning to grow?"
Tosin, her lips spreading with a bright smile, "What do you mean? I'm not tall," she said
"Oh yes you are," Oluchi said "So, how is your knee now?"
Tosin, maintaining her smile, "It's great to be back! I feel great to walk again!" she screamed
"It's great to have you back on your feet again," Oluchi said, her own smile playing at her lips
As Tosin and Oluchi continued their conversation, a sense of anticipation filled the air. With Oluchi by her side, and a new sense of self assurance, Tosin was ready to face challenges and embrace the experiences that awaited her in this new chapter of her life
As the lunch hour ticked by, Tosin, Oluchi and Tolu found themselves alone in the classroom, enjoying a quiet meal as the other students had ventured out for lunch. The rain continued to patter against the windows, providing a calming backdrop to their leisurely break
Tosin swallowed a mouthful of her sandwich before speaking up, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Hey guys," she began, "how about we revive the basketball team?"
Oluchi and Tolu exchanged surprised glances before turning their attention back to Tosin. "You mean, like, restarting the team we had in junior high?" Oluchi asked, her voice laced with a hint of uncertainty
"Yeah, why not?" Tosin replied, her passion for the idea evident in her voice. "We were a great team back then, and I'm sure we could be even better now. We've all grown and improved our skills. I think it's worth a shot"
"Don't get the wrong idea. I didn't improve any skill" Oluchi interjected
"Neither did I" Tolu added
"What were you girls doing all these years?" asked Tosin, her eyes widened in surprise
"READING!" Oluchi and Tolu chorused
"I read too and still practiced" Tosin said
"Yeah, we know" Oluchi said. "You wouldn't be in SSS1A if you didn't"
"Well, we are going to revive the team. We just have to become stronger, right?" Tosin said
"I'm in." Tolu said. "Though, convincing my parents is gonna be difficult but they can't stop me,"
"Good. What about you, Oluchi?" Tosin asked, shifting her gaze to Oluchi
Oluchi leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful expression on her face. "It sounds like an interesting idea, Tosin. But do you think we could get everyone back together to form a competitive team?"
Tosin nodded, her resolve unwavering. "I know it won't be easy, but if we will convince them to join us and maybe even recruit new members, we could make it work. We are in senior classes now, let's dedicate our remaining 3 years in high school to basketball"
"Count us in," a familiar voice said. The voice came from the entrance of the classroom
"Shalom! Mercy! You guys are here." Tosin said, a bright smile spreading across her face
"Tosin, you should have called me!" Shalom said
"Well, you guys are here now" Tosin said, smiling
Shalom and Mercy joined the meeting
"We have to be extremely serious this time, okay? Last time, we failed to qualify for the Christmas Champions Cup" Mercy said
"We will qualify this time," Tosin said, her confidence unwavering, "and we are going to participate in this year's Christmas Champions Cup
As the girls, continued discussing the possibility of reviving the basketball team, they felt a renewed sense of camaraderie and determination. With a shared passion for the game, and a history of friendship, they knew that together, they could overcome any obstacle that stood in their way
"So, we have 5 members already. We should be able to compete in official games, but we still need to convince Eno and Mayowa," Tosin said
"Leave Mayowa to me," Oluchi said
"Alright then. Mercy, can you handle Eno?" Tosin asked
"Sure, leave it to me" Mercy said
"Okay. Shalom, recruit new members, while I'll go talk to Mrs. Lawal," Tosin said
"No problem, captain." Shalom nodded in agreement
"Tosin, what should I do?" Tolu asked
"Focus on convincing your parents," Tosin replied
"Aside that?" Tolu asked
"Errr…. What do you want to do?" asked Tosin
"Anything to help the team" Tolu replied
"Well, in that case, assist Shalom in recruiting new members," Tosin said
"Alright" Tolu said
Determined to bring the team back to life, Tosin set out to convince Mrs. Lawal to join their cause. She arranged a meeting with her after school, hopeful that her guidance would prove invaluable in rebuilding the team
As Tosin, sat in Mrs. Lawal's office, she made a passionate plea for her to join their endeavour. "Coach, we have the potential to create something truly special here," she explained, her voice filled with conviction. "With your leadership and our hard work, we can make this team a force to be reckoned with"
"Tosin, do you remember what I told you and Mercy the day you guys came to recruit me as the coach of the female team?" Mrs. Lawal asked
Tosin's thoughts drifted back to the day she went to recruit Mrs. Lawal
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Flashback
"Hello young ladies, what brings you guys here?" Mrs. Lawal asked, dropping her red pen on an opened note book to listen to the girls
"Good morning ma," Tosin and Mercy greeted Mrs. Lawal
"Good morning, how may I help you?" Mrs. Lawal asked
"Please Mrs. Lawal, be our Coach" said Tosin
"Wait, slow down. What am I supposed to be coaching here?" Mrs. Lawal asked curiously
"Um… Mrs. Lawal, we're creating a basketball team" Mercy explained
"Hm… interesting… what inspired you to do this?" Mrs. Lawal asked, smiling
"Um….. Mrs. Lawal, our school doesn't have a female basketball team. Until now, any girl joining the basketball club will work as the team's manager. We've decided to create a female basketball team for girls in our school. I believe it'd be a great opportunity for the girls in our school. We acknowledged that one of the things we really need is a Coach. It'd be a tremendous help if you could be our coach ma'am" pleaded Tosin
Mrs. Lawal considered the idea for a moment, her brow furrowed in thoughts.
"Hmmm, I'm glad that you girls are starting up something amazing. It's certainly an ambitious plan. It could be an amazing experience for you girls too." Mrs. Lawal continued "Well, fortunately for you girls, I love sport and Basketball is my favorite. I'll be your coach"
"Yes!!! Thank you very much ma" Tosin and Mercy said happily
"But, on one simple condition," Mrs. Lawal said
"Okay ma, what is it?" Tosin asked
"You need to have the 3 Ds of success," Mrs. Lawal said
"Okay, what are they?" Tosin asked
"Discipline, Dedication and Desire to win. 'There is no point if you don't win. You must have that drive. That mentality" explained Mrs. Lawal
"Alright ma'am" Tosin and Mercy chorused
\|\*
Back to the present
"Yes, ma I remember" Tosin replied
"If you remember, then you know why I'm turning you down." Mrs. Lawal said. "The most annoying thing is, everyone has given up hope of beating the Victorious Varsity. I can't stand it. Where is that drive to win? So, my dear Oluwatosin, you have to find someone else because I'm not interested. Count me out. Now, if you understand, leave my office!"
Following her disappointing meeting with Mrs. Lawal, Tosin called for an emergency meeting for the team members the next day after school hours. To her delight, all old members, except TWO, had agreed to rejoin. Shalom and Tolu were able to recruit 2 new, eager freshers from junior high. The classroom buzzed with anticipation as the players gathered together, united by their shared love for the game and determination to bring the team back to life
Tosin cleared her throat, her voice echoing through the room. "Thank you all for coming today," she began, "and a warm welcome to our new members. As you know, Mrs. Lawal turned me down yesterday. She is not coaching us anymore"
"Why, though?" Mercy asked
"She is angry that everybody has given up, nobody is trying to beat the Victorious Varsity." Tosin explained
"She's got a point." Oluchi said
Eno sighed before finally speaking up, "So, what do we do now? We need a coach"
"Let's ask the other teachers," Mayowa suggested
"How about Mr. Moses? The P.E. teacher" Shalom suggested
"Guys," Tolu chimed, her belief in the team's former Coach unwavering, "Mrs. Lawal is going to keep coaching us. She just turned us down once and we are already suggesting alternatives? Come on, guys. That's exactly why she turned us down in the first place. We lack that drive!"
"Tolu is right" Tosin added
"But, what do we do?" Eno asked
"We just have to convince her that we have the drive. The hunger," Tosin explained, her eyes scanning through the team
"How do we do that?" Eno asked
"That's another issue," Tosin said, "What do you guys think we should do?"
"Um… How about we use fireworks?" Chioma suggested. She is one of the freshers
"Huh?" Eno snapped, her brow furrowed
"What do mean?" Mercy asked, all eyes on the new member
"We will set off fireworks that will spell out 'we are going to be the best team in Nigeria' in the sky." Chioma explained
"Huh? Get real. Where are we gonna get the money for that?" Oluchi asked, her tone laced with concern
"Leave it to me. I'll take care of it." Chioma said, her confidence unwavering
"Rich kids from abroad," Oluchi said
Chioma used to live in the United States of America with her parents. Her parents had thought that it'd be best for her to come back to Nigeria to study for 6 years. The idea was to expose her to her home country before coming to further her education in the United States
"Well, here is the plan; in the morning, just before the morning assembly, we will gather at the rooftop to the building we normally face during the assembly. The moment everybody comes out, Chioma will light the fireworks. The moment she lights, she has to run to us at the rooftop as fast as she can. As soon as she gets there, we will raise our team's banner and scream at the top of our voices, "We are the Charlie Queens Academy Female Basketball Team! We are going to beat the victorious varsity and become the best team in Nigeria!" Got it?" Tosin explained
"YES!" The Queens chorused
"Also, Chioma, when will the fireworks be ready?" Tosin asked
"Thursday" Chioma replied
"Alright. On Thursday morning, we will gather at the rooftop to carry out the plan. Everybody should come early that day, okay?" Tosin instructed
"YEAH!" The Queens chorused
"That has been settled." Tosin said, shifting her gaze to Tolu "Tolu, what did your parents say?" Tosin asked
"Errr….. Well, the same as always." Tolu said, sadness evident in her eyes
Tosin sighed, "That's sad. So, what do you want to do?"
"I'll stay with you guys." Tolu said, her resolve stronger than ever, "This is where I have chosen to be. Nobody has the right to stop me from doing what I want to do"
Tosin smiled, "That's the spirit, girl"
As the meeting came to a close, the team members exchanged words of encouragement and excitement for the challenges ahead. One by one, they filed out of the classroom, eager to get home and prepare ahead of Thursday
As Thursday dawned, the Queens converged on the rooftop, their eyes fixed on the assembly below. The morning sun cast a golden glow over the scene, and the air was alive with anticipation. Chioma stood apart, her gaze fixed on the pyrotechnic device in her hand. With a deep breath, she lit the fuse, and the fireworks soared into the sky, exploding in a burst of colour and light. The message "WE ARE GOING TO BE THE BEST TEAM IN NIGERIA!" blazed across the sky, leaving no doubt about their intentions
The sudden boom captured the attention of everyone below, and everyone turned upwards as they murmured, wondering what was going on. Chioma sprinted back to the rooftop, joining her teammates with a triumphant smile. The operation was underway and nothing could stop them now
As Chioma rejoined her teammates on the rooftop, they unfurled a long banner, the bold letters proclaiming, "RULE THE COURT!". With a synchronized cry, they shouted to the heavens, "WE ARE THE CHARLIE QUEENS ACADEMY FEMALE BASKETBALL TEAM! WE ARE GOING TO BEAT THE VICTORIOUS VARSITY AND BECOME THE BEST TEAM IN NIGERIA!" Their declaration was met with a chorus of laughter from the assembly below, students and teachers unable to contain their amusement at the seemingly far-fetched dream. The team's audacity was rewarded with punishment, but just as they were being reprimanded, Mrs. Lawal's sudden laughter was heard all over the assembly, her eyes twinkling with a hint of belief. "Alright, I'm in!" she said, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Let's see you girls do it"