Tobias hears the roar of the crowd and looks to his left and swings the ball to Uriah who goes up for a layup. "Good ball movement" their coach Max Roberts calls out.

Tobias hustles back to the other end of the court and holds his hand out, Uriah gives him a hand slap as he passes by to get back on defense under the basket. The seasons started and was going by so fast. Tobias and Uriah had been in a zone, dominating in the first half of the season. The Men's team had only lost 2 games that season and both of those games were to powerhouse teams. The goal for any college basketball team was to make it to the NCAA Tournament in March for a shot at playing for a championship. It was a hard road but if they kept up the pace, Tobias and Uriah were confident they would get a spot as one of the 64 teams that would play.

Tobias had already made Peach Belt Freshman player of the week twice. His game was improving steadily even though he was still getting by on his natural talent. Max was a good coach, he focused on team basketball. It helped that Uriah and Tobias were so comfortable playing with each other. Two juniors on the team Edward Hardy and Marco Bellanova were great scorers and post players that added to the dominance that Uriah and Tobias brought to the team. Will, a shooting guard from Chicago, and Tobias and Uriah's other roommate had become close with their friends as well.

After the game, everyone was planning on going to hang out with the girls at Dave and Busters. It was a good win and Tobias was looking forward to not having practice the next day and hanging out with Tris. He wished he didn't have to go to class but Tris would bug him until he got up to go.

"You coming to Dave and Buster's with us?" Tobias asks. Will had an on-again-off-again girlfriend and a son back home in Chicago. His son was born when he was 16, Tobias could tell he was a handful from when Will was on Facetime. Will was a good player but similar to Tobias he was more focused on going to the NBA than the school part of being a student-athlete.

"Yeah, I think I will. It's been a long week, I need to let off some steam"

Tobias nods as they make their way out of the gym from practice. They both stayed late to work on free throws after practice was over.

"T. do you really think you are going to keep playing college ball if we make it deep into the tournament this year?" Will asks as he and Tobias walk towards the dorms.

"My dad would probably flip out if I didn't. My mom...ehhhh maybe but she would be okay if that's what I wanted. What about your folks?" Tobias knew he and Will came from very different backgrounds with Will growing up in the Southside of Chicago in a housing project with his mother working three jobs to support him and his sister.

"I've never been great at school but I could ball so it was my way out. I want to move, baby mamma and my son, my mom, and my sister Cara and her kids out of Chicago, let my mom finally quit working. Folks are doing a lot of talking about our team. I think that if there's a chance I could get drafted, especially in the first round, I need to take it. I can always go back to school but I won't be able to play forever"

Tobias nods his head and a part of him feels bad. Becoming friends with Will had opened his eyes to a different perspective of life that he never had the privilege to not have to think about. Will never got to go to a private school or live in a gated community like Tobias and his friends. If Tobias never made it to the NBA, he would still be fine. His father could pay for him to go to school if he wanted to. Tobias could end up with a job just because of who his father was or if his father called in a favor. The pressure Will was feeling was something he never had to experience.

"Well whether I jump after this season or not, I promise you I'm going to play as hard as I can this season"

Will smiles as he looks over at Tobias. He had been nervous about coming to Dauntless. He missed his mom and his sister and his niece and nephew but Tobias, Uriah, and now Christina, Marlene, Lynn, and Tris made this experience even better.

Tobias leads the team to another impressive performance during the next game against the University of Florida Gators. Tobias was excited his father was there for his game that afternoon. Dauntless was four hours away from Charlotte so it wasn't as if his parents were far away but he always got an extra rush knowing his father was there cheering him on. Growing up he always wanted to be just like Marcus Eaton and play in the NBA. His father was always his hero and Tobias wanted to show him that he could make it in the NBA too. His father had spent so much time instilling in him how to be a man, he wanted to make his father proud. He hung on every word and lesson he tried to teach him. When he was younger he kept a journal of all the things his father made a point for him to remember, he brought it to Dauntless and kept it in a drawer. Only Tris knew about it.

He looked up for a second from his position as he waited for the other team to inbound the ball. He saw Tris sitting with the women's team looking intensely at the floor. Tobias knew she was studying the movements of the players on the floor and strategizing what she would do in the situation. This game was almost over though. They were up by 10 with 3 minutes to go. He knew Tris wouldn't relax until the final buzzer sounded to end the second half.

Cheers erupt as the visiting team misses the free through. Tobias jogs to the end of the floor. They run a few more plays, with him making his 4th three-pointer of the night just as the clock runs out.

"You were insane tonight," Uriah says, tossing him a towel as they head to the locker room.

"They weren't much competition" Tobias laughs out. He had played well. 28 points and 6 rebounds.

"Yeah for you" Uriah sighs. Uriah had a decent game, 14 points, and 8 rebounds.

"Come one, you are good Uriah, stop stressing" Uriah had been struggling with the transition to college ball; it was much more fast-paced than their high school games. He hadn't been playing horribly but he knew he could do better.

"Yeah, If I'm struggling here, how the hell am I going to make it in the NBA?"

"Stop thinking like that, put the work in. You can do it." Tobias encourages. There was so much pressure on all of them to make it. The nights they used to sit around and dream about making it, he was realizing that to play on the next level, everyone wasn't going to make it.

Their conversation is cut short when someone cuts up the speakers in the locker room to blast Swag Surf. It was their custom after a win. And at 21-3, there was no doubt they were headed to the NCAA tournament. The only question was would they be a 1 or 2 seed.

Tobias has a few laughs before grabbing a quick shower. He knew his Dad and Tris would be waiting for him.

"Way to Hoop," Tris says as he leans down to give her a kiss as he walks back out into the arena from the tunnel that led to the locker rooms.

"I know you have a critique" he teases as he reaches down and laces his fingers with hers.

"I said nothing," she laughs as they walk toward Marcus even though she really did. Tobias was favoring driving the ball to the right. Tobias needed to work on creating shots on his left. Marcus was signing autographs and taking pictures with a small crowd of fans. Even though it had been 6 years since he retired from the NBA, with all the press around Tobias and his new job as an assistant coach for the Charlotte Hornets many folks still knew who was.

"Hey Mr. E," Tris says sweetly as they walk up.

"Hey Miss Baller," Marcus replies with a charismatic grin. Marcus thought Tris was the best thing that could have happened to Tobias. He was more focused with her, she made sure that he stayed on top of his school work. She was just as ambitious and driven as he was at basketball.

Tris eyed Marcus, wondering what he was thinking. Marcus was the most charismatic person she had ever met. Tobias had inherited some of it, but Marcus could turn it on and off like a water faucet.

"We still going to dinner, Pop? Or do you gotta get back?" Tobias asks. Marcus always took Tris and Tobias out for dinner when he was in town for a game.

"I'm going to fly out and meet the team in Phoenix in the morning. So yeah but I was hoping that I could talk to you about something alone, son. I don't want to be rude, Tris."

"Oh no I don't mind, I'll catch you later. Facetime, when you get in" Tris, says, squeezing Tobias's hand before pulling away.

Marcus takes Tobias out and they talk about the game, areas Tobias wanted to improve.

"You know Pop, I'm putting up good numbers, there are folks talking about how I could be a high draft pick" Tobias puts out there. He knows his father wants him to stay in school, he had pushed it so hard when he was deciding what scholarship offer to take.

"What people?" Marcus asks, turning to Tobias narrowing his eyes. The last thing he wanted was for his son to get involved in any illegal activities. He wasn't naive enough to believe that there weren't agents sniffing around his son.

"Just people, no one in particular," Tobias shrugs. Will had been approached by a few people inquiring about if he was going to need an agent. Speaking to agents was illegal for athletes and could result in getting kicked off the team so Tobias was making sure to be smart.

"Tobias, the NBA isn't going anywhere. You need to stay in school and get an education. Give your game time to develop. The NBA is going to be more challenging than you think it will be Son."

Tobias takes a sip of his drink, he didn't want to seem as though he thought he knew more than his father but he wanted to prove that he could make it like his father did. Marcus lets a few moments pass before he speaks again.

"Besides the soon you get to the NBA the sooner you have to deal with the shit I'm dealing with now"

"What are you talking about?" Tobias asks, wondering where this was going.

"Some girl that's been hanging on at every party, she says I'm her child's father"

"What?" Tobias looks at his father wide-eyed "Is it true?"

He felt his stomach drop. He knew his parents' relationship had changed over the years but he never thought his father would do this.

"You got the balls to ask me that?" Marcus challenges smoothly as Tobias looks back down at the table.

"I'm sorry Pop, I...I" Tobias stammers.

"It's okay son if you need me to say it, I will. I'm not that kids father"

Tobias smiles with relief washing over him. His father just wanted the best for him. He knew what the NBA life was like, there were going to be things like this that happened, people doing whatever they could to get their hands on a payout.

The last week of January with 4 weeks left in the regular season the Dauntless women's team is deep into a game against Northwestern Tech. Tris sits in her warm-up suit on the bench next to Marlene. She hadn't gotten on the court this game. She had done well in the games where she was put in but it was usually if there was a sizable lead or if Nita was in foul trouble early in the game. She, Christina, Marlene, and Lynn were all in the same boat. Keeping their place on the bench, being supported by the team until they were needed in the game. This game was so close Tris knew she wasn't going to play today. The game was in the second quarter so there was still a good amount of time left to play.

Suddenly there's a cry and commotion on the floor. Tori and the trainers run to the floor. Nita was down on the floor crying out in pain as she clutched her ankle. The arena that was just roaring with cheers was now deafeningly quiet as the people in the stands all murmured and whispered as the referees, coaches, and medical staff assessed the situation on the floor. The other team joins the Dauntless players in kneeling as they wait to see if Nita can get up.

After about 10 minutes the medical team brings out a gurney to help Nita on to. Tris can see her ankle was swollen and already turning purple. The crowd erupts into cheers as they see the staff help Nita onto the gurney. She wipes her tears and puts on a shaky smile as she waves to the crowd as both teams get up to cheer. The entire Dauntless team runs over to hug and encourage Nita before she's carried to the ER to get her ankle looked at.

"Tris, you're up," Tori tells her.

Tris takes a deep breath. She looks up in the stands. The men's team usually sat in the stand right behind the women's bench along with any parents and special guests. Tris sees Tobias and he smiles at her and nods.

As soon as the referee blows the whistle, Tris turns it on. This was her chance to prove herself. Zia inbounds the ball to her and she moves the ball up the court dribbling with her left hand and holding up her right hand with her index finger pointed to signal the play she was calling. She passes the ball and runs to her next position on the court and catches the pass perfectly. She makes a clean jump shot and the crowd erupts in cheers.

Tris dominates the remainder of the game scoring 23 points making it her best game of the season. That night Tobias throws an impromptu party in the dorm to celebrate his girl. Tris didn't want to let things go to her head but she was happy she had done so well, all of her hard work was finally starting to pay off.

Nita's ankle ended up being a very bad sprain and not broken. She was going to be on crutches for the next month but the doctors thought she could make it back to play by the Peach Belt Conference Tournament which left Tris as the starting point guard for the final 10 games of the season. Tris works hard, getting up early to practice alone in the gym most days before class. Tobias was supportive even though he missed his girlfriend. He would get up early to shoot around with her and run drills when he could.

"We haven't been on a date just the two of us in forever" Tobias whispers as he holds Tris close. It wasn't a game day so he was spending the night in her room. She was grateful because she genuinely missed sleeping in the same bed with him when they were on the road or weren't allowed overnight guests. Tris had barely seen Caleb either now that his golf season was starting up.

"I know, I'm sorry, It's just been so crazy," Tris yawns. Between their practice schedule classes and games and traveling, there hadn't been much time for them to spend alone together. "The season's almost over though, then you can have me all to yourself all summer. We won't have to do anything but hang and make love. Maybe we can go to Cali and visit Grammy Edith"

Tobias grins as he kisses and pulls her tight. It was only a matter of minutes before she was fast asleep. Tobias can't wait for summer break, all he wanted to do was hang out, relax and be with Tris.

"Tris, I need to see you in my office" Tori announces after the team practice. The women's team had just finished their final regular-season game before heading into the conference tournament. The tournament was an important set of games because winning would guarantee them a spot in the NCAA tournament. Tris gives Christina a look who shrugs her shoulders. Marlene gives her a quizzical look as she walks by her.

Nita had practiced with the team that day finally off her crutches. She looked good with the drills that she ran. Tris didn't know why Coach Wu was going to make a big production about telling her that Nita was back to her starting position.

Tori leaned back in her chair looking as though she was contemplating something before she spoke. Tris was still sweaty from practice, in her sports bra and practice shorts. She shifted nervously on her feet as she looked at Tori as she looked like she was still contemplating something.

"I want to shake things up for the tournament, I'm going to keep you as starting point guard"

"I'm sorry, what?" Tris asks not sure that she heard correctly.

"Do you want the job or not?" Tori asked annoyed that Tris didn't seem to comprehend her decision.

"Oh yes I do, Thank you," Tris says quickly. She was stunned. Not that she hadn't played well. She had been SC Freshman Player of the Week ever week since she took over as starting point guard.

Tris stands there for a moment, wanting to ask a question but not sure if it is a good idea to rock the boat.

"What?" Tori asks.

"It's just that….well you're always riding me. Why do you want me to start if I'm not good enough?" Tris finally says.

Tori softens her eyes. She had been hard on Tris all season, maybe harder than she should have been but Tris reminded her so much of herself when she was that age. She had pure raw talent that just needed to be harnessed.

"Do you think I'd go hoarse to yell at a player with no potential? If I'm quiet, then you should be worried."

Tris smiles and nods but she stands a little straighter and more confident when she walks out of the office.

The PeachBelt Conference Tournament is a battle for the Dauntless Warriors. Both the women's and men's teams travel to Greenville where the tournament is being hosted. Tobias has to drag Tris out of the practice arena every night. Tobias and the men's team almost fall twice but make it through to the conference championship. Tris and the women's team battle their way through three tough games and for the first time in 10 years the men and women's teams are PeachBelt conference champs. This was going to propel both teams and pretty much guarantee them a spot in NCAA Tournament.

Tobias wins PeachBelt Conference Freshman of the year for the men's team and Tris wins Peach Belt Women's basketball tournament MVP. There were lots of pictures and media interviews but the praise was high for both of them.

"I'm very proud of you Munchkin," Andrew says, pulling Tris into a hug in the hotel parking lot. "I'm glad you didn't give up and this season shows you have so much more to achieve. I'm really proud of how much you've grown this season, you've really learned to control your emotions on the court"

"Uhhhh, I haven't mastered it just yet" Tris laughs as she thinks about the blow-up she and Nita had after practice earlier in the season. Tobias had definitely helped her channel her feelings into the game more. "Thanks, Daddy, for always being here"

"I'll see you at the NCAA Tournament" Andrew promises. He was excited for his daughter no matter what happened.

"Isn't the Bank going to get upset with you taking all this time off? This isn't like high school when all our games were in Charlotte"

"Oh, Mr. Haskins is a big basketball fan and a Dauntless Alumni" Andrew chuckles. He was pretty sure his boss was going to ask him for tickets for the NCAA tournament. Andrew always made sure to visit the regional offices in whatever city Tris or Caleb were playing in a well so he could get some work done as well.

Tris smiles. Her father, unlike her mother, rarely missed one of her games. If he did, Tris knew it was really important. It made her want to play harder when she knew he was there cheering her on.

When they make it back to Dauntless there is a contingency of fans waiting to greet the bus cheering and holding signs. One thing Tris loved about not only Dauntless but Atlanta was the love the local residents had for the sports teams and the athletes. There were so many schools in Atlanta but the fans always showed for Dauntless athletes.

"Ladies, Let's stay focused. We will make arrangements for your classes since it's looking good we are going to get a spot. I'll give you a reprieve on overnight guests until Selection Sunday but no social media. Until we find out if we are in the season isn't over. Practice on Friday afternoon. Curfew will be back in effect with no overnight guests on Selection Sunday. Get some rest because you are going to need it" Tori announces before everyone gets off the bus.

"Tris you made Sportscenter! They are talking about you and Tobias! It's so cute!" Marlene yells down the hallway at Tris as she heads to Tobias's room. It was late and she was dead tired but she just wanted to cuddle up with him and go to sleep.

When Tris opens the door to Tobias's room he's laid out on the bed asleep with Sportscenter on. She locks the door and strips down to her sports bra and panties and looks at the screen.

"Dauntless University Men's and Women's teams put up an impressive showing in the Peach Belt Tournament guaranteeing both of them a spot in the NCAA tournament. Freshman Tobias Eaton and Tris Prior, a real-life romance lead the way as leading scorers for each team" Tris smiles as she cuts off the TV and scoots into bed with Tobias.

"Hey, I think I fell asleep," he mumbles, moving over in the bed to make room for her.

"Go back to sleep, we'll watch the highlights in the morning" she whispers as she turns so he can pull her back to his chest. She was happy they had a few days of freedom and excited about the possibility of the next tournament. She missed Tobias but they were so close to the end of the season, they only had to hold out another month if they played well.

"I can't wait until we have our own place with a big bed" Tobias mumbles as he drifts off to sleep.

Tris smiles as she clicks off the tv and places the remote on the nightstand. Tobias instinctively tightens his arms around her. She wondered if he realized what he said, he was fast asleep already. But she didn't want anyone but him. They were three years away from being on their own, but as long as they were together she was fine.

Three days later on Sunday, there was a giant watch party hosted by the Dauntless Athletic Department and the Student Activities Board for Selection Sunday as the brackets for the Men's and Women's tournaments are announced.

"Ladies, we have worked hard this year, I'm proud of you. No matter where we end up. I want you to hold your head high." Coach Wu announces over the microphone.

Tris and her teammates were nervous. They had an okay record. 21-7, but winning the Peach belt Conference was the thing that made them a strong consideration but no guarantee. If they got in, they wouldn't be a high-ranked seed as South Carolina, UCONN, and Baylor all had only lost 1 game that season. Arizona led by Coach Adia Barnes was having a sensational season as well. Also getting a low-ranked seed would ensure that they were paired against one of the powerhouses for the first round that would be difficult to beat.

Tobias grabbed Tris's hand trying to calm her. He was in a much better position. Everyone was confident the Men's team was going to get one of the top-ranked spots on the men's bracket.

The women were up first. Tris, Marlene, Christina, and Lynn all link arms as the brackets start to be revealed on the large screen of the ballroom where everyone was gathered. Tris glances over a Tori. She was tough, but Tris could tell she was nervous by the way her hands fidgeted even though her facial expressions were controlled.

Cheers erupt as Dauntless University South East Region 12 seed flashes on the screen. Tris wraps her arms around Christina's neck as Christina squeals. She feels Marlene and Lynn wrap their arms around her too.

"With an outstanding performance by freshman, Tris Prior in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament, there are high hopes that the Dauntless Women's basketball program is going to surprise everyone" Maria Taylor reports on ESPN.

Tris feels herself blush as Tobias comes up and bends down to pick her up by her legs. She giggles and leans down to kiss him.

"You did it Baby" Tobias whispers when he puts her down and wraps her arms around her to pull her waist to his.

Tris was beaming, she was so excited she didn't hear the rest of the teams being announced. All her hard work, the extra practices, the separation from Tobias, the long nights, the sore muscles, it was all starting to pay off even though there was still an uphill battle to climb for the tournament.

A half an hour later the cheering starts again when the Men's team receives a two-seed in the southeastern region.

Uriah pulls Tobias into a hug followed by Will.

"I told you we were gonna make this happen," Tobias yells to Will as the noise level in the room was still loud with all the cheering.

Will grins, Uriah and Tobias had set out with a goal at the beginning of the season and it was really within reach now.

Let me know what you think! Do you think Marcus is telling the truth? See you next week!