Chapter 24 Back In Training

The girl's basketball team was in the gym, all stretching and getting ready for their warm ups. This was their first day back at practice since the winter break and they were all anxious to get at it, but were also nervous because Coach Scott was out and they didn't know for how long. All of them knew Coach Sinclair and had confidence in her; they were just worried about how Coach Scott was doing and the game plan for their game on Friday night.

They were broken from their goings on by a loud whistle. They all knew what that meant and they all lined up on the sideline. They all looked over at Coach Sinclair as she came out into the gym and nodded her head. She looked at each and every girl and smiled.

"Eva, how is the ankle?' she asked Evangeline Dillon the junior back up Center, which had been injured and sitting on the bench the past few games.

"It feels good, Coach," she said.

Sinclair nodded and smiled. "Good, good, that is good to hear. As you may know by now, Coach Scott had a heart attack on New Year's Eve. He is doing well and was released today. Currently, he is home resting and really wishing he can be here yelling at y'all.

"That being said, he also told me that he will be out for at least one week. So you know what that means?" Sinclair asked. No one dared to answer the question.

"Well, it means Coach Sinclair's rules, which are simple and easy to follow. Y'all shouldn't notice much difference between me and Coach Scott. We run the same offenses and the same defenses. In fact, we have the same training regime."

There was another whistle blow, "To the baseline, now!"

The girls groaned and then walked to the nearest baseline. Sinclair looked at her watch and did some calculations. "Thirty Suicides, now!" she yelled and then blew her whistle

The girls started their run and started doing what they were told. Sinclair watched to see who was starting to fall out of conditioning. Eva was a bit sluggish, but then again she was just coming back from an ankle injury. Over all, Sinclair was impressed that they kept up with their training.

Next, the full team did 16-60s and then they were allowed to get some water and cool down. As the girls got water, Sinclair talked with the equipment manager and then returned to the floor with some basketballs. She looked at the clock and then blew her whistle.

The girls lined up again on the baseline. The board players were grouped together, while the back court was also grouped together. Looking them over, Sinclair nodded.

"Good, y'all still remember the whistles. Now, we're going to work on drills. Board players on net one, back court on net two!" Sinclair yelled.

Angela smiled and turned to Ashlyn, "Have fun," she said.

Ashlyn rolled her eyes, "Joy!"

Angela was on the three point line and looked over to the other guards. Faith, Kay, Anna, Cara, and Monica were waiting for her to get her shots in. They only had three pure guards this season, so when Angela was done with her shooting she would swap with Ashton and work on her board skills. Cara and Monica would also move over to work with the board players.

"Are you going to shoot or stare at the hoop?" Coach Sinclair yelled.

"Shoot Coach!" Angela yelled back.

"Well, do it then!"

Angela smiled and started working on her three-point shooting. Coach Scott established an offense that would take what was given, but he really stressed fundamentals, which included free throws and three-point shooting. If they could get it, they would take the three point shot. Angela worked from the various angles, and then moved in to shoot in the paint. When she was done, making most of what she shot, she grabbed a water bottle and started to head over to the other hoop.

Kay was up at the hoop and was starting her shooting. Angela smiled as Kay went through the motions and the shots easily. Her niece did have talent, and what seemed like perfect form. There was so much game in that girl, and Angela was worried it would go to her head.

"Scott!" Coach Sinclair yelled, "Stop getting your nails done and go work on the boards."

"Yes Coach!"

Angela shook her head and went to the other hoop.

"Coach has got your number today," Ashlyn said.

Angela shook her head, "She's always been tough on me."

"If anyone gets an easy ride, it should be you; you work three times as hard as some people."

"No, I should be treated like everyone else. I might be the leading scorer, the co-captain and the coach's sister, but I'm still just a player."

Ashlyn shook her head and smiled, "You're such a pain in the ass!" she said, "But that is why I love you."

Angela shook her head, "Gee thanks, I think."

Ashlyn shook her head, "How else do you think I could have put up with you since we were nine years old?"

As Angela went up and did her drills, Ashlyn turned and saw the boy's team was starting to come out to stretch from their time in the weight room. Angela finished her drills and came up to Ashlyn.

"What's up?" Angela asked.

"Remember that kid I use to baby sit?" Ashlyn asked.

"Yeah, the real dumb one, with blonde hair," Angela said, "He had a mom that lived in Raleigh, some weird story that made mine seem normal."

Ashlyn nodded, "Yeah, I think I just figured out what happened to him."

"What he didn't fry himself sticking a knife in the light socket?"

Ashlyn shook her head, "I think he is a bench player for the Ravens."

Angela snorted, "Okay, what was his name again?"

"Nathan something," Ashlyn said, and shrugged.

"Yeah, whatever," Angela said.

"Okay girls, hit the showers!" Sinclair yelled and blew the whistle.

Angela grabbed her towel and followed Ashlyn into the shower. "What was the story with that kid anyways?"

"From what I remember, his mom had him and less then a year later he was taken away because the dad's parents thought she wasn't a fit mother or something like that. From what I understand, she ended back up with her old boyfriend and less then a year later they were married and she was pregnant, again."

Angela nodded, "Yeah, come to think of it, that does sound familiar. Kind of like Willa's parents story."

Ashlyn shrugged, "I don't know. I really don't care anymore; all I want to do is shower and ice my knee."

Angela laughed, "I hear you; I have to work today."

The two friends smiled and they walked towards the locker room together.