As the torrential downpour ceased, an eerie calm settled beyond the confines of the arena walls. The streets were left damp and muddy, the wind dancing capriciously through the hushed atmosphere. Inside, however, the air crackled with an electric intensity. The cacophony of the spectators' relentless cheers echoed through the vast space, seemingly unending, their voice resonating with unwavering fervor as the game edged closer to its climactic conclusion
The African Church and the Queens lingered at their respective benches, awaiting the wisdoms and guidance of their coaches ahead of the final quarter
Seated together, the African Church team brimmed with unwavering confidence. Lola broke the silence with a query, "Why have the Queens refrained from calling a single timeout? Are they surrendering the game to us?"
Coach Blanc interjected, his voice steady, "On the contrary, their reluctance to call a timeout reveals the profound trust their coach has in them."
Nkem chimed in, "I didn't to see Tosin take on the role of point guard in the third quarter. Oluchi had been performing impressively in the first half"
"There's a noticeable distinction between their gameplay in the first half and their performance the third quarter. Tosin now had complete access to the ball unlike before when she only scored two points in the first quarter. Lola effectively prevented her from touching the ball for the rest of the half. As a point guard, Tosin could exercise greater control over the ball, which is probably why their coach changed the positions of the players. It's likely that they'd continue like that in the final quarter" Coach Blanc explained
Ruth interjected, her voice resolute, "I refuse to be defeated by Tolu, regardless of the impact it may have on Tolu and Shalom"
"The presence of number 6, a player similar to Ruth, caught us off guard." Coach Blanc said as he turned to his players, his eyes filled with conviction, "These girls possess a skill level close to the victorious varsity's level if not the same level. We've already encountered one of such teams so we can tell. This is not an opponent to be underestimated. Let's secure our victory in the final quarter and advance to the semifinals"
A chorus of affirmation rose from the African Church team
Meanwhile, the Queens' bench buzzed with an electric energy, their sights set on turning the game in their favour. Mrs. Lawal addressed her team, "well done on closing the gap, but there is still much to be done. We must maintain our intensity until the very end!"
"YEAH!" The Queens chorused
"Coach," Oluchi ventured, seeking clarity, "why the change in positions?"
"For the sake of the team," Mrs. Lawal explained. "Tosin wasn't the only one affected. Eno and Mercy struggled to find their footing in the first half. Tosin thrives when she has the ball, but to facilitate a more cohesive unit, I replaced Mercy with Tolu. As anticipated, the team clicked into place and everything fell into order"
Satisfied with her coach's reasoning Oluchi nodded in agreement
"Now, let's go out there and give them a fight to remember!" Mrs. Lawal commanded, as both teams took their position on the court
As they prepare for the decisive final quarter, Tosin called out to Oluchi, "who is a learner?"
"Someone who's acquiring skills or knowledge in a certain field" Oluchi replied to Tosin's enigmatic question, her brow furrowed with curiosity. "Why did you ask?"
Tosin's lips quirked into a mysterious smile as she dismissed Oluchi's inquiry. "Nothing really," she said, her gaze sweeping across the court. "Let's go on a journey to destruction city, shall we?"
"Yeah," Oluchi agreed, still baffled by Tosin's cryptic remarks
As the final quarter commenced, Nkem advanced the ball with practiced ease, only to be confronted by Tosin's unwavering defense. A playful smile danced on Tosin's lips as she posed the same question to her opponent. "Who is a learner?"
Nkem faltered; her confusion evident in her voice. "Huh? Where'd that come from?... Well, a learner is someone new to something, I guess. Why did you ask?"
Tosin's smile remained, offering no further explanation. "Nothing"
"Huh?!" Nkem snapped, her irritation mounting as she bounced the ball repeatedly between her hands in rapid succession, causing Tosin to stumble
Seizing the opportunity, Nkem unleashed a three-pointer. Eno, anticipating the play, ran to Tosin's aid, inadvertently leaving Margaret unguarded beneath the hoop. The ball sailed through the air only to be deflected by Eno's outstretched fingertip, provoking a surge of irritation in Nkem
Margaret, confidence in her eagle claw technique and the fact that she's unguarded beneath the hoop, soared towards the rebound. However, as she prepared to grasp the ball, a strange pressure radiated beneath her, accompanied by a familiar voice
"Is this how you do it?"
Margaret's shock was palpable as she discovered Tosin executing her signature move, successfully snatching the ball from her reach
Tosin passed the ball to Shalom, who skillfully navigated the stunned African Church team. Although Nkem managed to halt Shalom's advance, a swift pass to Tolu reignited the Queens' momentum
Tosin, propelled by sheer speed, took flight as a fast pass from Tolu landed in her right hand. She executed a powerful tomahawk slam dunk that mirrored Lola's impressive first half tomahawk slam dunk. The gap narrowed to a single digit, intensifying the anticipation in the air
As the reverberations of the cheering crowd rose, Oluchi approached Tosin, her eyes reflecting a mixture of awe and amusement. "So, that's what you meant by 'being a learner' huh?"
Tosin nodded, a triumphant grin playing on her lips. "Exactly"
The Queens' bench was left in a state of disbelief as Tosin's extraordinary feat unfolded before their eyes. Mercy, one of the team's veterans, couldn't help but draw parallels to a previous game from three years prior
"She pulled it off in our game against the Charlottes three years ago but I thought it was a fluke" Mercy remarked, her eyes fixated on Tosin
Chioma, intrigued by Mercy's comment, sought clarification. "What are you talking about?"
Mercy's gaze remained locked on Tosin, a sense of wonderment filling her voice. "Three years ago, we went up against the Charlottes in the playoff round of 16. Similar to today's game, we struggled, but we emerged victorious. In that game, Tosin executed a windmill slam dunk, a technique she saw Emmanuella pull off just once earlier in the game,"
Chioma's shock was evident in her voice. "After seeing it only once?"
Mercy nodded, a smile playing at her lips. "Put simply, she's a fast learner. This technique is limited only by the scope of the sport itself. In other word, it doesn't have a limit. Perhaps you could say the stamina of the user of this technique could be a potential limit, but even that can be overcome. A new star is born! One with the potential to surpass even the Victorious Varsity. The Copycat, Oluwatosin Folasade"
Back on the court, Nkem couldn't help but express her admiration. "Oh? Interesting" she said, smiling at Tosin
Just as the initial shock began to subside, Ruth seized the ball and unleashed a never-before-seen pass. The ball soared across the court at lightning speed, landing in Margaret's hands as she stood unguarded near the hoop. Margaret swiftly attempted a dunk but was stopped as someone's hand forcefully slammed the ball against the glass, blocking her shot in the process
Margaret's shock was deepened as she discovered that the one who had blocked her shot was none other than Tosin. "Impossible," she exclaimed
The spectators watched in awe, their disbelief palpable as they witnessed the incredible display of skill and adaptability that had just taken place on the court
The crowd's frenzy reached a fever pitch as they suddenly shifted their attention from cheering for their favourite teams to chanting Tosin's name. The air was electric with the repetitive chants of "Tosin! Tosin! Tosin!"
Tosin, however remained focused on the game, issuing a decisive instruction to her teammate. "Eno, I want you to trust me, okay. Go in for the attack. Now!" she commanded; her unwavering resolve evident in her voice.
Eno hesitated for a moment, feeling a sense of trepidation about leaving Margaret alone under the hoop. The crowd watched in confusion as Eno left the defense, wondering what tactic the Queens were employing. The unusual tactic left the Queens on edge, uncertain of what Tosin might be up to as they exchange nervous glances.
The game resumed, with African Church in possession. Nkem found herself face-to-face with Tosin's fully focused defense. Tosin, a smile playing at her lips made a bold declaration. "Nkem, you are good. The African Church International High School team is a strong team, too. However, you guys won't score anymore. Because this is my yard now!"
Nkem's eyes widened in surprise, her mind racing with the implication of Tosin's bold statement. Before she could even process her thoughts, Tosin took three steps backward, further increasing the distance between them.
The crowd grasped in shock, unsure of what to make of Tosin's unorthodox tactic. Nkem, however, saw an opportunity. She thought to herself, "She's maintaining her distance? It's true that if there is a distance between us, I can't ankle break. However, I have enough space to shoot a three-pointer. Doesn't she know that? Damn, there is no time to think. If she created a space between us, then that's a gift I can't resist and I will happily take it. Tosin, we are going to win this!"
With newfound determination, Nkem took off, unleashing a three-pointer. The crowd held their breath as the ball sailed through the air, only to be met by Tosin's incredible block in mid-air
Landing gracefully, Tosin secured the rebound and without hesitation, executed the same never-before-seen pass that Ruth had used earlier. The ball rocketed across the court, landing in Eno's hands as she stood unguarded under the African Church's hoop
Eno, with impeccable timing, unleashed a layup, reducing the gap by two more points. The crowd erupted into a deafening roar as they continued to chant Tosin's name, the energy in the arena reaching new heights
Distracted by the roaring crowd and their irritation at the Queens closing the gap, the African Church team found themselves momentarily unfocused. Lola, caught up in the chaos, released a pass to Nkem, intending to resume their offensive push. Unbeknownst to them, Tolu had stealthily positioned herself in the ball's trajectory, successfully stealing it away from their grasp
In a flash, Tolu launched the ball into the air towards Eno, who showcased her mastery of the air walking technique, meeting the airborne ball with perfect timing. With a powerful and stylish between-the-legs slam dunk, Eno sent the crowd into a wild frenzy as the score narrowed to 74-70 with only five minutes left in the game
Seated among her teammates in the crowd, Aisa couldn't help but be captivated by Tosin's masterful performance. As she watched her rival and the Queens rally against their opponents, Aisa found her caught up in the exhilarating display of skill and determination. "YEAH! GO TOSIN! GIVE THEM HELL!" she cheered, unable to contain her excitement
Back on the court, the African Church struggled to regain their composure, their frustration mounting as the Queens continued to chip away at their once-commanding lead. With time running out, the momentum was clearly in favour of the Queens.
Nkem, bouncing the ball rhythmically in front of Tosin's defense, had come to the realization that a three-pointer won't work against Tosin's fully-focused defense, despite the space between them. She released a pass into an open space on the court anticipating Ruth's ability to appear out of nowhere and send a pass to their teammates as they had practiced countless times before
However, Shalom saw through their strategy and capitalized on the opportunity, stealing the ball away from Ruth and creating a chance for a fastbreak. As Shalom dashed up the court, Nkem hastily pursued her, determined to halt the Queens' momentum
"Bring it on, Shalom!" Nkem challenged her opponent
"Stop me if you can," Shalom retorted confidently, unfazed by Nkem's challenge
As Shalom drew near, she executed a deceptive pass between her legs, chuckling as she outmaneuvered her opponent. "Just kidding," she said, a smile playing at her lips
Oluchi, perfectly positioned, caught the ball. "Nice pass" she praised Shalom as she was impressed by Shalom's clever move. She wasted no time in unleashing a three-pointer. The ball soared through the air, seemingly suspended in time before sinking into the hoop with satisfying a swish
The Queens exchanged enthusiastic high-fives, their voices joining the cacophony of the roaring crowd as they celebrate narrowing the gap to a single point. The mounting pressure was palpable. The tension mounting as both teams braced themselves for the final moments of the thrilling match
As the game resumed, Nkem, the playmaker for the African Church team found herself facing Tosin's unwavering defense once again. She attempted a subtle fake, only to be met with Tosin's quick reaction, making it clear that a three-pointer would be futile
Nkem, lost in thought, was caught off guard as Tolu stealthily tapped the ball off her hands. The ball landed on Nkem's leg, and the buzzer sounded, signaling a kicked ball violation
"Damn it. They took advantage of the moment I hesitated." Nkem said, irritation evident in her voice
On the Queen's bench, Mercy explained the violation to her teammates. In basketball, a kicked ball violation occurs when a player intentionally strikes the ball with their foot or any part of their leg. You must not kick the ball with your legs. It's a fundamental rule in basketball,"
Chioma, impressed by Mercy's knowledge, complimented her, "Hey, Mercy, you do know your stuffs."
"Hehe, I'm a basketball fan after all. I've watched lots of NBA games," Mercy replied, smiling
The game resumed once more, this time with the Queens in possession of the ball, Tosin bounced the ball rhythmically as her teammates prepare to attack. From the bench, Mercy expressed her surprise at the unfolding scene
"Sorry, Tosin. No foul feelings, but we will stop you no matter what," Nkem said, her expression serious
"Oh? A triple team, huh? Are you sure about that? I can just pass to one of my teammates, you know?" Tosin replied, unfazed by the defensive tactic
"Don't underestimate the invisible basketball style of the African Church," Lola added, her tone resolute
"Hmmm, Margaret, shouldn't you be guarding Eno under the hoop?" Tosin questioned, observing their defensive formation
Margaret, determined to stop Tosin responded, "We will stop you. I'm sorry I underestimated you, but now I see that you are the best among the six of us. Bring it on!"
Tosin, acknowledging the compliment, said, "Oh? Why? You overestimate me. You guys are good, too."
With a short, deep sigh and a flick of her hands, Tosin bounced the ball between her hands repeatedly in quick succession. The mesmerizing display caused the three defenders to stumble and fall even hitting each other, leaving Ruth in disbelief
"What?! She even copied Nkem's ankle breaker?!" Ruth exclaimed; her shock evident in her voice. "Damn! How good are you, Tosin?"
Siezing the opportunity, Tosin unleashed another three-pointer. The ball soared through the air and sank into the hoop, eliciting a deafening uproar from the Queens' bench and the spectators as they continued to chant Tosin's name. The African Church watched as the scoreboard displayed a score of 74-76
Sensing the urgent need for a strategic adjustment, Coach Blanc called a timeout
The African Church huddled together during the timeout, their focus on strategizing a way to overcome Tosin's formidable presence on the court. Nkem, addressing Margaret and Ruth, poised a question, "I told you guys that Tosin was on the same level as the Victorious Varsity, didn't I?"
Margaret, acknowledging Nkem's previous assessment, replied, "Yeah, you were right"
Coach Blanc, eager to adapt to the situation, offered a new strategy, "Girls, listen up. Pass the ball around Tosin. She's only focusing on Nkem, so you guys should pass the ball around her"
Nkem, aware of Tolu's adept stealing abilities, expressed her concern. "But Tolu might just steal the ball."
Coach Blanc, having considered this, turned to Ruth. "Leave Tolu for Ruth to handle. Ruth, we are counting on you"
Ruth, understanding the gravity of her role, responded with determination. "Right!"
With the new strategy in place, Coach Blanc rallied his team, "we will win this game!"
"YEAH!" The African Church team chorused; their spirit lifted by their Coach's encouragement
Meanwhile, at the Queens' bench, Mrs. Lawal praised her team's efforts thus far. "Great work, guys. Our defense has been solid in this game so far. But don't stop until the final buzzer. Let's win this!"
"YEAH!" the Queens chorused in unison, their determination and focus unwavering as they prepared to return to the court
"Alright guys, on 3, 2, 1, Charlie Queens!!! Fight!!!" Yelled Tosin as she rallied the team
"YEAAAAHHH!!!" The Queens yelled
"Now, let's go on a trip to destruction city" Tosin said, putting on an evil grin and stepping into the court
As the players returned to the court for the final two minutes of the game, the African Church team was met with an unexpected sight. The Queens had switched to a full-court man-to-man defense, a clear indication of their determination to secure victory
"What? Seriously?" Nkem reacted, taken aback by the tactical change
"A full-court man-to-man defense, huh? I didn't see this coming. These guys are serious about winning this game," Coach Blanc observed, his tone a mix of admiration and concern
Despite their best efforts, the African Church team found themselves unable to penetrate the Queens' defense. Time and time again, the Queens managed to steal the ball, further cementing their dominance on the court
Margaret, growing increasingly frustrated, exclaimed, "Another steal? Damn it"
In a pivotal moment, Oluchi passed the ball to Tosin, who was being closely guarded by Nkem. Undeterred, Tosin bounced the ball rhythmically, a sense of camaraderie and respect evident in her words. "Nkem, nice game, today. I had so much fun." Her tone then shifted. "However, it's over!"
In a flash, Tosin passed the ball to a seeming open space, but Tolu, exhibiting her own impressive instinct, emerged out of nowhere and unleashed a pass into the air. This created an alley-oop opportunity for the soaring Tosin, who then finished the play with a gracious slam dunk just as the final buzzer sounded. The scoreboard displayed a final score of 74-82, signaling the end of the game as the Queens booked their spot in the semifinal of the playoff
The spectator erupted into a frenzy of cheers and applause as the Queens celebrated their historic comeback victory
The African Church International High School Basketball Team struggled to come to terms with their heartbreaking defeat. Lola and Evelyn, overwhelmed by their emotions, broke down in tears. Despite their disappointment, Nkem, Margaret and Ruth displayed admirable sportsmanship as they approached the Queens to congratulate them
"Tosin, Shalom, and the Queens, please, win for us in your next game and represent Lagos district at this year's Christmas Champions Cup," Nkem said, shaking Tosin's hand in a gesture of goodwill
"Of course, leave it to us," Tosin replied
In the crowd, the Rose Mary High School Basketball Team, now aware of their next opponents, discuss their plans for the upcoming match
"Captain, our next opponents are the Queens," Tracy said
"Yeah, let's go home and train ahead of the game," Nkem said, a smile on her face as she looked forward to the challenge
"YEAH!" The Rose Mary High School Basketball team chorused in agreement
Back at the African Church International High School Basketball Team's locker room, Coach Blanc noticed Nkem's absence. "Guys, let's go home. Are we missing someone?" he asked, concerned about his star player
"Yeah, Nkem isn't here. She went to the restroom but hasn't returned," Lola explained
"Someone should check up on her," Coach Blanc instructed, worried about Nkem's well-being
"Coach, please, you guys should go without us. Margaret and I will wait for Nkem. Right now, we should just let her be," Ruth said, her expression conveying her understanding of Nkem's need for space
"Alright then, I'll see you guys at school tomorrow," Coach Blanc conceded, trusting in Ruth and Margaret's ability to support their friend
Meanwhile in the restroom, Nkem wept, her heart heavy with guilt as she criticized herself for her team's defeat
As the semifinal of the playoffs approached, anticipation filled the air. Out the remaining four teams, only two would win a ticket to compete at this year's Christmas Champions Cup. The question on everyone's minds is simple, yet thrilling: Who would rise to the occasion and emerge victorious?