"This is a big tonight, boys. Our road to the championship begins now, so today play hard and work together. Let's do this boys!" Jamie stood, extending a hand out over his teammates, and chanting with them pumped. With some back slaps to teammates he started jogging, leading the team out in front of a packed gymnasium.
Every home fan got to their feet cheering seeing their team run on to the field, just as excited for the big game. Jamie turned towards the crowd stopping to blow a kiss at Eddie sitting with his family in the stands.
"Big game, hope the kid is ready," Danny mumbled quietly taking his seat next to his father watching warm ups. Jamie took a pass jumping to make the shot soon as his hands touched the ball.
"He's ready Danny," Joe answered, clapping his hands in support of his little brother. In preparation for the big tournament Joe and Jamie spent two hours every night after dinner practicing to make sure Jamie was ready which he was, the only thing that would get in the way was nerves.
Warm ups ended ten minutes later, the teams returned to their respective benches listening as the opposing team St Vincent's Blackhawks was announced first. Jamie kept his feet moving amped to start with only slight nerves rumbling in his stomach. "And now introducing your Lion's first captain number 23 Jamie Reagan."
Wide grin stretched across his face Jamie ran out to mid-court waiting on the half-court line to greet his teammates as each of them and their coaches were introduced. Both teams turned towards the flag pausing for the national anthem to be sung.
"This is a big tonight, boys. Our road to the championship begins now, so today play hard and work together. Let's do this boys!" Jamie stood, extending a hand out over his teammates, and chanting with them pumped. With some back slaps to teammates he started jogging, leading the team out in front of a packed gymnasium.
Every home fan got to their feet cheering seeing their team run on to the field, just as excited for the big game. Jamie turned towards the crowd stopping to blow a kiss at Eddie sitting with his family in the stands.
"Big game, hope the kid is ready," Danny mumbled quietly taking his seat next to his father watching warm ups. Jamie took a pass jumping to make the shot soon as his hands touched the ball.
"He's ready Danny," Joe answered, clapping his hands in support of his little brother. In preparation for the big tournament Joe and Jamie spent two hours every night after dinner practicing to make sure Jamie was ready which he was, the only thing that would get in the way was nerves.
Warm ups ended ten minutes later, the teams returned to their respective benches listening as the opposing team St Vincent's Blackhawks was announced first. Jamie kept his feet moving amped to start with only slight nerves rumbling in his stomach. "And now introducing your Lion's first captain number 23 Jamie Reagan."
Wide grin stretched across his face Jamie ran out to mid-court waiting on the half-court line to greet his teammates as each of them and their coaches were introduced. Both teams turned towards the flag pausing for the national anthem to be sung.
Jamie joined in the spectators applause, walking with his teammates to their bench for a quick pep talk before starting. "All right guys this is it, let's show everyone we deserve to be champions let's win this!." Jamie pumped clapping all the way out to mix court, eyes meeting Eddie's quickly giving her a wink.
At the mid-court line, Jamie and St Vincent's captain, Ralph, met sizing each other up as they approached. Ralph grinned standing at six foot two, one hundred ninety pounds of pure muscle, planting his feet ready and waiting. As the ball flew up Jamie and Ralph both jumped for it Ralph beating the shorter man by inches.
Jamie moved back, keeping his eyes on Ralph, hands up to block as they moved up court. Eyes locked Ralph dribbled turning his back to pass making sure he bumped into Jamie. Keeping his feet planted Jamie stood firm watching the passes. Taking a step sideways tricking then into passing to Ralph he snatched the ball and passed it quickly stumbling over Ralph's extended foot.
Staying focused the Hawks continued playing together for two quarters using their speed to score Ninety five points by mid second. Their opponent's frustration began to show with more shoving and physical plays as time wound down.
Both teams met several players exchanging shoves separated by teammates bringing back some order. Jamie stepped in between Chris and a Greg pulling Greg back several stops. "Hey don't give in, they're just frustrated, not worth it all right. You want to show them do it on the scoreboard, come on."
Slowly both men separated returning to their respective positions each taking their time cooling off. In his way back Jamie looked up checking how long they had before the game ended, seeing two minutes. "All right come on still time in this focus guys lets finish.
Filled with a new energy the Lion's led by Jamie kept passes sharp using the clock to their advantage taking shots at the last minute. As mere seconds wound down with the home team up now by eight the crowd rose clapping until time ran out.
Eddie stood clapping proud of the team but mostly how Jamie played this game as both teams met one more time for hand shakes showing good sportsmanship. Finishing first Jamie searched the crowd smiling wide starting towards Eddie. By the time he got there Eddie waited on the floor throwing her arms around his neck ignoring the sweat dripping down.
"You played great," Eddie whispered accepting the hug from Jamie. Pulling apart their eyes met briefly leaning closer for a celebratory kiss.
"Wait for me," Jamie slowly pulled his hands down going to the locker room for a celebration with his team then shower greeted by loud claps from his teammates. "Great game guys way to keep our focus out there even when they tried to distract us. Let's keep it going against St Sebastian next week."
Chatter filled the locker room while they dressed excitement filling the room with a win that allowed them into the next round. Jamie showered changing into tan dress pants and a white button down dress shirt folding the collar neatly. Waving to his teammates on the way out carrying his gym bag off his left shoulder Jamie started back in the gym meeting Eddie.
The gym lights were dimmed already cleared out except for Eddie, airing for him on the first row of stands. Hearing footsteps echoing brought Eddie to look up smiling at Jamie walking closer to her. "Hey," she greeted standing right into his arms accepting a second kiss this one longer.
Shifting his bag Jamie wrapped his arms around holding the square of her back, keeping her ,against him. Their lips moved slowly together lasting only a minute before pulling apart. "Your family said they'd meet you at home," Eddie whispered taking a breath.
"First I have to take my beautiful girlfriend out for ice cream to celebrate." Jamie dropped his hand taking Eddie's walking out together to the nearest ice cream store.