CHAPTER 60
"THE BEST FEMALE BASKEBALL TEAM IN LAGOS"
The third quarter had ended on a high note for the Queens, with Oluchi's buzzer-beater three-pointer narrowing the deficit to just five points. The crowd had erupted in cheers as the Queens celebrated their play, and the momentum had clearly shifted in their favour. The scoreboard read 71-66, with the Rose Newton High School still in the lead, but the Queens are hungry for more. As the teams head to their respective team benches for the quarter break, the tension was palpable. The Queens knew they had to maintain their intensity and focus if they wanted to turn the tide of the game in their favour. The question on everyone's mind was: could they do it? With final quarter starting in just mere minutes, the battle for supremacy was far from over
The Rose Newton High School Female Basketball Team, now tense, sat on their team bench to listen to their Coach's instruction ahead of the final quarter
Coach Bankole lamented ther dwindling lead, saying "5 points lead, huh? As at halftime, we were leading with 20 points. Hmmm"
"Coach, the Queens are serious. They came prepared this time," Feranmi said, acknowledging the Queens' strength and determination
"Coach," Fisayo chimed in, "What do we do about Tolu? We know how to stop Tosin. We just have to make sure she doesn't touch the ball, right? But how do we stop Tolu? She's a genius. If we can't stop her, we can't stop the Queens,"
"Okay. How do you plan on stopping her Meteor pass?" Victoria asked, "You saw it, didn't you? Not even I can catch her Meteor Pass. Tosin can only catch it now probably because she is stronger now. She has really improved. The same is true with the others as well. But even with the powerups and improvements, Tosin appears to be the only one capable of catching that pass; at least for now. So how do you intend to stop it?"
After a brief moment of silence, Coach Bankole spoke up, "Well, if we can't stop their attacks, we will just have to score more than them. In the final quarter, we will go all out in attack!"
The team agreed, enthusiastically chanting, "YEAH"
Meanwhile, the Queens' bench was filled with confidence and electric energy. Mrs. Lawal commended their impressive performance, saying, "Wow! Coming back from a 20-point gap is no small feat/!"
"No! We are not done, yet!"Tosin chimed in
"That's right," Tolu agreed
Oluchi added, "We came here to win! If the game ends like this, of what importance would it be?"
The Queens chorused in agreement, "Yeah! We must win!"
Mrs. Lawal, proud of her team's mentality, continued, "I love that mentality. And as your Coach, I'm super proud. Now then, to win this game, we have only one thing to do in the final quarter. Defense! But this time, we are going with our new technique. Our ultimate defense formation. Show no mercy!"
The Queens chorused, "YEAH!" in agreement
The Queens huddled around Tosin one final time before the start of the final quarter.
"Charlie Queens! Fight!" Tosin yelled passionately
"YEAH!" The Queens chorused in agreements
With a menacing grin spreading across her lips, Tosin declared, "Now then, welcome to destruction city"
Both teams returned to the court for the final quarter, the spectators erupting in a cacophony of applause and deafening uproar. The atmosphere was tense, as each team prepared to give their all in the ultimate battle that would decide the fate of the Lagos state prefectural championship
The final quarter commenced with the Rose Newton High School Female Basketball Team in possession, led by Fisayo.
Tosin initiated the Queens' new defensive formation, yelling, "New defensive formation in motion! Let's go!"
The Queens responded with unified, "YEAH!"
The Queens' bench exploded with chants of support, echoing, "Defense! Defense! Defense! Defense! Defense!"
Fisayo, perplexed by the Queens' strategy, thought to herself, "Huh? New defensive formation? What are they up to?"
Fisayo's advance was stifled by a double-team defense executed by Oluchi and Mercy. Confused, Fisayo wondered, "A double-team defense? Is this their new defense formation? And how is this even a new formation?"
In an attempt to exploit the opening created by the double-team, Fisayo passed the ball to Uzeoma, who planned to take a jump shot. Before Uzeoma could catch the pass, Tolu and Tosin formed another double-team defemse. Uzeoma, forced to adapt, passed the ball to Feranmi, but she too faced a double team-defense from Eno and Oluchi. With no space to capitalize on, Feranmi passed the ball to Isioma, who was instantly met by a double-team defense of Mercy and Tolu
Isioma then passed the ball to Victoria, who encountered a double-team from Tosin and Eno. Left with no other option, Victoria passed the ball back to Fisayo, who was double-teamed by Oluchi and Mercy
Baffled by the Queens' impenetrable defense, Fisayo thought, "What? What is this? What is going on here? How can they remain unfazed even though we exploit the openings created by their double-teams
Fisayo passed the ball to Victoria, but Tolu intercepted the pass, creating a fast break opportunity for the Queens. Tosim, Mercy, Oluchi moved in synchronize motiom, facing only Fisayo, Victoria, and Isioma. Tolu then tossed the ball to Mercy, who launched a jump shot from behimd the arc. The ball soared through the air and swished through the hoop, eliciting s thunderous roar of applause and cheers from the Queens supporters
The Queens' new defensive formation proved to be a formidable strategy, leaving the Rose Newton High School Female Basketball Team baffled amd scrambling to adapt
The Rose Newton High School Female Basketball Team resumed play, with Fisayo leading the attack. She was, however, stopped by a double-team defense from Tolu and Mercy.
"Tsk," Fisayo clicked her tongue in frustration
Observing the confusion on the opposing team's faces, Mrs. Lawal explained their new strategy
"This is our new defensive formation." Mrs. Lawal began, "It's different from the normal box and one or triangle and two defense formation. This formation relies more on speed. That's why during the summer, one of the things we worked on was improving our speed. This new strategy makes it look like you are a group of 5 players trying to take on a group of 10 players. That's why I called it 10 vs 5 ultimate double-team defense strategy. As you can see, in this defense, any two players can guard any opponent, regardless of their positions. The speed makes up for the openings created by the double-team, allowing the players to cover up quickly. That's the 10 vs 5 ultimate double-team defense!"
Back on the court, Tolu tapped the ball out of Fisayo's hands, creating another fast-break opportunity. Tolu dashed towards the hoop alongside Mercy with no one to beat, but Victoria caught up instantly. Suddenly, Tosin joined the play, increasing the Queens' numerical advantage
Tolu, passed the ball to Tosin, who leaped into the air, aiming for another three-pointer. Victoria rushed in to stop Tosin's attack, leaping right in front of her. However, Tosin surprised everyone by copying Oluchi's signature move and unleashed a rainbow shot. The ball arced through the air and swiahed smoothly through the hoop, eliciting a thunderous roar of cheers and applause from the Queens' supporters
Tosin's shot gave the Queens the lead, sending the crowd, the Queens bench, and the Queens on the court into a frenzy. Coach Bankole recognizing the need to regroup and strategize, called a timeout to discuss their next move
The Rose Newton High School Female Basketball Team huddled around Coach Bankole during the timeout, listening intently to his instructions
"Guys, the Queens have picked up another annoying technique," Coach Bankole stated, addressing the challenge they faced
Feranmi observed, "They are too fast. It's almost as if they hadn't played a single minute in this game
Victoria added, "I can't believe how much better they've gotten in just a year. Their growth feels unfair"
Fisayo, clearly frustrated, said, "What the heck did those girls do in the past year?! It's as if we were slacking off, no matter how you look at it,"
Coach Bankole, regaining the team's focus, continued, "Guys, listen up. Their new defense formation most likely relies on speed. I believe this to be the case becausei noticed that their speed has increased significantly, compared to their speed in the first three quarters. Thus, the technique relies heavily on speed. Now, if they are going to use speed against us, we will just have to use our height advantage against them. We've got Victoria after all. Let's turn this around already!"
"YEAH!" The Rose Newton High School Female Basketball Team chorused
Over at the Queens' bench, Mrs. Lawal addressed her team
"We are leading now but we can't stop here!" said Mrs. Lawal
The Queens chorused, "YEAH!"
Analyzing the situation, Mrs. Lawal said, "They will try to counter our new strategy, perhaps through height. However, we have Tosin for our height battles. I don't know what their next move will be, so we will just see what they will do next before we act. But just to be safe, we will use the first chance after the timeout to increase our lead before they make their move"
Energized and determined, the Queens chorused, "Yeah!"
Both teams returned to the court, brimming with renewed focus and determination with less than 9 minutes left to play
Eshe commented on the intense atmosphere, "The game is almost over. In less than 10 minutes now, we will know the best team in Lagos. Will the Rose Newton High School Female Basketball Team find a way to break the Queens' impressive defense, or will the Queens continue to protect their lead and ultimately win the championship? Who knows? Either way, it's the fateful final few minutes!"
The Rose Newton High School Female Basketball Team resumed play with Fisayo leading the attack. As she crossed the half-court line, Tosin and Oluchi applied immediate double-team defense, exerting intense pressure on Fisayo
Struggling to maintain control, Fisayo knew she needed to pass the ball soon
Suddenly, the whistle pierced the air, halting the game. "Backcourt violation! Blue Team number 11! The Pink Team gains possession!" The Referee announced
The Queens on the court clapped their hands and the spectators erupted in cheers
Frustrated by the violation, Fisayo clicked her tongue.
Eshe observed the event occur on the court as she explained the backcourt violation rule, "In Basketball, Backcourt violation occurs when an offensive player, after establishing control of the ball in the front court, brings the ball back into their backcourt. This can happen in several ways"
With the Queens now in possession of the ball, Oluchi tossed the ball high into the air for Tolu, who leaped and spiked the ball towards Tosin, already airborne. Victoria attempted to stop Tosin's attack and leaped to challenge her in mid-air. But Tosin deftly passed the ball to Oluchi
Seizing the opportunity, Oluchi unleashed a rainbow shot, sending the ball souaring into the air. The crowd watched with bated breath as it sailed smoothly through the hoop, resulting in a satisfying swish and eliciting a cacophony of cheers from the Queens' supporters
`Fisayo led the charge as the Rose Newton High School Female Basketball Team resumed play, only to be met with a double-team defense by Mercy and Tosin. Struggling against the pressure, Fisayo forced a shot, sending the ball bouncing off the rim and creating a rebounding opportunity
Eno successfully screened out Victoria, leaping to secure the rebound. Undeterred, the towering Victoria leaped from behind and smashed the airborne ball back into the hoop. The Rose Newton High School Female Basketball Team erupted in a cacophony of cheers, celebrating their successful play
The Queens, unfazed by their opponents' determination, observed the shift in strategy
Oluchi commented, "I see,"
"Yeah," Tolu nodded in agreement
Mercy chimed in, "It's just as Coach said, isn't it? they are trying to turn this into a height battle,"
Intrigued by the challenge, Tosin said with a grin, "This should be interesting, heh"
The Queens resumed play with Oluchi tossing the ball high into the air for Tolu. Tolu leaped leaped and spiked the ball towards Tosin, who hadn't even jumped yet
Victoria attempted to block the pass but found it too fast to follow with her eyes.
Tosin caught the pass without jumping and executed a double-clutch slam dunk, skillfully evading Isioma's block in the process
Stunned by the speed of the play, Victoria thought to herself, "What is going on? Can't I catch it?" her shock was palpable, as the Queens demonstrated their ability to adapt to the Rose Newton High School Female Basketball Team's strategy
As the final minutes of the game ticked away, both teams traded relentless attacks, with the Rose Newton High School Female Basketball Team relying on Victoria's height advantage and the Queens capitalizing on Tolu's Meteor Passes. Neither defenses could contain the onslaught, creating an intense and unforgettable battle that left spectators on the edge of their seats, wishing for it to continue indefinitely
With just 20 seconds remaining, Fisayo led the Rose Newton High School Female Basketball Team's attack but encountered a double-team defense from Mercy and Oluchi. Realizing the situation, fisayo decided to attempt a forced jump shot. The ball sailed through the air, only to bounce off the rim, leading to a rebounding opportunity
Eno leaped into the air, aiming to secure the rebound, but the towering Victoria jumped from behind to challenge her. Just when Victoria was about to grab the rebound, `Tosin suddenly appeared out of nowhere, leaping highest and successfully securing the ball
Shouting "Counter!", Tosin passed the ball to Tolu and dashed towards the opposite hoop. However Victoria managed to get there before her, but undeterred, Tosin jumped from behind the arc, soaring towards the hoop as if she was floating. Tolu then tossed the ball high into the air, preparing to execute a powerful Meteor pass in the form of a spike serve. She then spiked the airborne ball straight towards Tosin. Victoria, however, jumped to challenge Tosin, aiming to stop her attack
"GOOOOO! TOOOSIIIIIINNNN!" The Queens yelled in unison with passion
In a moment of raw determination, Tosin screamed, "Incredible Hulk Dunk!" and slammed the ball over Victoria's defense and into the hoop just as the buzzer sounded, marking the end of the game. The Queens on the court erupted in celebration, rushing towards Tosin as their teammates on the bench and fans stormed the court to join in the triumphant moment
With a final score of 92-99, the Queens emerged victorious, solidifying their status as the best team in Lagos. The intense and unforgettable match showcased the tenacity, adaptability and passion of both teams, lesving a lasting impression on all who witnessed the exhilarating final of the Lagos Prefectural Championship
The Queens, celebrating their victory, wore a specially designed pink T-shirts to commemorate their achievement. These shirts, created to be worn if tthey emerged victorious in the Lagos State Prefectural Championship, had the words "2068 Lagos State Prefectural Champions!" emblazoned across them
Amidst the jubilation and camaraderie, it was evident that the outcome of the game had a profound impact on both teams. The Rose Newton High School Female Basketball Team, speechless and heavy-hearted, saw many of their players break down in tears. Coach Bankole walked onto the court to congratulate the Queens on their victory and to console and encourage his players, while Victoria remained composed, holding back her tears
Despite her disappointment, Victoria approached Tosin, extending a hand in sportsmanship. "Congratulations to the best team in Lagos. I wish you luck at the Christmas Champions Cup," she said
Tosin, acknowledging the gesture, replied, "Thank you, Victoria. Let's meet again at the Christmas Chaampions Cup!"
Victoria, with a smile and a renewed sense of determination, countered, "If we meet again, we will win!"
"Well, we'll see about that!" Tosin responded with an air of confidence
"Victoria," Eno called out
Victoria, humbled by her team's defeat, admitted, "Eno, I always called you a weakling and a loser because I always win against you. But today, you proved me wrong. You win, Eno,"
Eno, sensing a shift in their dynamics, said, "Why are you acting like the world is about to end? This isn't like you, Victoria. Let's play again. I'll take you on"
Victoria, though disappointed, knew she had been bested. "Hmmmm. You're acting tough now. Enjoy your victory while it lasts," she said
"I don't plan on losing to you anymore," Eno declared, her growing after the hard-fought victory
"Only time will tell," Victoria replied, acknowledging the uncertainty of their future encounters
Eno walked away to continue celebrating with her teammates, while Victoria engaged in a conversation with Tosin
"Oh right, Tosin," Victoria began, "Since you beat me, you were right about men. Not all men are the same, I guess"
"Nah!" Tosin replied, "Regardless who is right, we can't decide that with a Basketball game. Besides, you have your reasons for hating men. You've got rough experiences with Men, right? Though I wish to know what they were,"
"Hah! I will rather not talk about it. Anyway, see you at the Christmas Champions Cup next month!" Victoria said, sidestepping the topic of her personal experiences with men
"Sure!" Tosin agreed, knowing that they could face each other again on the court
Victoria walked away, and Eshe, observing from the stands, smiled with a sense of pride and curiosity. "Congratulations to the Queens. I can't believe they actually won," she thought to herself, "Watching them have piqued my interest. Coming back from a 22 point deficit is no small feat! Could they go all the way and win the Christmas Champions Cup? Nope! They are still coming. However, they've proven that they are not to be underestimated. Now they've brought one of us down. This winter is going to be fun. I can't wait. My flight to Uyo is 8:45 am tomorrow morning"
As Eshe made her way out of the arena, a group of boys, accompanied by Mr. Uzoh, Lagos State representative in the Nigeria National Basketball Committee, entered, carrying an award, a pennant, two large board cheques, and a trophy to honour the triumphant Queens. The team, now bathed in glory of victory and celebration, would receive these momentos as a testament to their tenacity, skills, and unwavering spirit on the court
The arena was quickly rearranged for the ceremony as soon as Mr. Uzoh stepped onto the court. A podium was set up at the center of the court, where the Queens and few of their supporters gathered alongside Mr. Uzoh
Holding a microphone, Mr. Uzoh addressed the audience, "Good evening, everyone. I am Mr. Uzoh. It's been a great competition among different schools, with young talented players showcasing their mesmerizing, yet still developing talents on the court. Amongst these players, there is one who stood out the most. This player will walk away with this year's Most Valuable Player award and the sum of Ten Million Naira (₦10,000,000). It's an honour to announce to you, the MVP, Tolulope Fashola"
Everyon clapped their hands in shock, as most had expected Tosin to win the award. Only Tosin and Mrs. Lawal knew Tolu would be the recipient
Tolu stepped forward to receive her award, and a big board cheque of ₦10,000,000 was presented to her. Cameramen captured the moments as she expressed her gratitude, "This is an incredible honour," she said, her voice filled with emotions. "I am grateful to my Coach and Teammates for their support. This wouldn't have been possible without you guys. Thank you all!"
Mr. Uzoh collected the microphone and continued, "Now, join me in congratulating the winner of the 2068 Lagos Prefectural Championship; The Charlie Queens Academy!"
As the team captain, Tosin stepped forward. Mr. Uzoh handed the trophy to her, and she lifted it alongside her teammates, who jumped and sang for joy. The Queens were awarded the sum of Fifty Million Naira (₦50,000,000) for their success.
Watching from the comfort of their homes, Tosin's supporters celebrated with the Queens
In Tosin's home, Sade watched with tears streaming down her face as her daughter lifted the trophy. "I always knew you'd break records, Tosin," she mused, her heart swelling with pride
At the Adetolas' residence, Ronke watched online, impressed by the Queens' victory. "I'm happy for you guys. You guys did it!" she exclaimed, "However, it's only just the beginning!"
In the locker room, the Rose Newton High School Female Basketball Team listened attentively as Coach Bankole addressed them. "Well done, girls," he commended acknowledging their efforts
The sound of their Coach's voice triggered a wave of emotions, causing the entire team to weep openly
"However, girls," Coach Bankole continued, "this isn't the end. We can pay them back at the Christmas Champions Cup next month. So, what I'm saying is, add the word 'vengeance to your dictionary now!"
At the mention of vengeance, the team's spirits were reignited. "YEAH!" they chorused, their eyes glowing with newfound determination
"By the way, where is Victoria?" Coach Bankole inquired
Meanwhile outside the arena, Eshe starts a video call, "Hello, Victoria," she greeted
"What do you want?" Victoria asked, her tone laced with irritation
Ignoring Victoria's question, Eshe asked, "why is Cynthia not joining the call?"
Victoria replied, "I don't know. Knowing her, she's probably sleeping"
As if on cue, Cynthia joined the chat, asking, "What do you guys want? You Manipulatting Agents from hell"
Eshe inqueired, "Why didn't you join the chat immediately, Cynthia?"
"I was sleeping. Why are you disturbing me?" Cynthia retorted
"I thought as much," Victoria chimed in
"Alright, did you watch the match?" Eshe asked Cynthia
Cynthia answered nonchalantly, "Nope. A match that the winner is pretty obvious doesn't pique my interest. I normally sleep instead. I bet you called to tell me that victoria and her team won. Am I wrong?"
Contrary to Cynthia's expectations, Eshe said, "Sorry Pal, but you're wrong. The Queens actually won this time. Tosin blocked Victoria's signature movem and even copied it. This year, the Queens are stronger than they were last year"
Intrigued by the unexpected turn of events, Cynthia smiled and remarked, "Oh? Interesting,"
Eshe advised, "Cynthia, we need to be careful next month,"
Unfazed and eager for a challenge, Cynthia replied, "Don't sweat it. I want to face them right now! A month is too far. Is there a way to fast forward time straight to the future? I'm starting to get fired up!" Her evil grin accentuated her excitement