Saturday
"All right y'all! The semifinals of the tournament is about to begin! First up, we've got the Lions going up against the Dragons! Then, it's the Samurai against the Hawks! Are y'all ready! 'Cause I definitely am! Go ahead and fill in those seats! The first game starts in 30 minutes!" Wizard Kelly said.
As time passes, the seats start to to be filled in.
Clyde's dad's along with Clyde himself were one of the first ones in. Not long after did the Louds show up along with Michael's Mom. She wasn't around in the first round, but she made a promise that she would attend the semis and the finals, feeling confident that her son would be able to make the finals.
"Lincoln!" Clyde calls out to him. Lincoln turns around. Clyde gives him a thumbs up and his parents wave. Lincoln gives them a thumbs up in return.
"Hey Lincoln!" Someone called out.
He turned. Ronnie Anne was next to him. "Ronnie Anne? What is it?"
"I just came to wish you good luck before the game!"
"Thanks. I don't expect to do much though. Lynn's the real person you should be giving good luck too." Lincoln said.
"Nah. I have a feeling you're going to need to do a lot more in this game if you guys want to win. So, break a leg chump." She said, punching him in the arm playfully.
"Wait, she want's Lincoln to break a leg? That's horrible! Why would she tell him something like that?" Leni asked her sisters.
"It's a figure of speech Leni." Lori said before looking at her phone.
"What's taking so long for Bobby to show up? The game's going to start soon!" Lori said, about to text Bobby.
Several minutes later, another family shows up.
"Excuse me, but is it okay if we sit here?" Trudy asked Lori nicely, holding BeBe and CeCe in hand.
"Sure! But could you leave a little gap please? I'm waiting on my boyfriend Bobby to show up." Lori said.
"Sure thing." Trudy said.
"So who do you guys have winning this first game?" Penny asked her friends along with her family.
"While the Lions have the best player, the Dragons have a more balanced team. I might be wrong on this, but I'm going with the Lions." Zoey said.
"I'm with ya on that one. That Lynn girl can play." Suga Mama said.
Lynn shows up on the basketball court along with the rest of the Lions.
"Woooo!" Leni called out.
"Go Lincoln and Lynn!" Luna said.
"Looks like they brought home court here." Penny said as the Louds even had signs.
"Excuse me, but is that your daughter and son out there?" Oscar asked the woman she assumed to be their mother sitting in the group of Louds.
"Why yes they are." Rita said.
"You got a real champion in your daughter there! She can play! Reminds me of me growing up. Was a whole double threat grown into a triple threat! Could ball, spelling bee champion, and now proud owner of Proud Snacks! My card. Oscar Proud." Oscar said, giving her a card with business contact info on it. "You ever want to give 'em a try, let me know!"
"And your son isn't half bad either." Oscar said.
"Thank you Mr. Proud. But I know my kids would love to hear it from you personally." Rita said.
"No problem." Oscar said.
"Your dad makes business cards now?" Zoey asked.
"Apparently so." Penny said, shrugging.
"This honestly could go either way. But if I had to choose, I'm going with the Dragons. They're the only team with a full roster. They can keep they're starters fresh for when they need em and outlast the rest." Sticky said.
"Baby, you smart and I love you, but I'm gonna have to go with the Lions. Nobody's stoppin' that girl but Michael." Dijonay said.
"While I do concur that there are more possible rotations and lineups for the opposing team, the Dragons with their larger roster, using the facts, and also considering she is my own sibling; I believe the Lions will prevail. So far, Lynn has averaged more in every stat than every other player in the entire tournament. I kept track during all of the games. Something that I would hope the Television announcers touch on." Lisa said, showing the stats on a piece of paper to prove it.
"Wow. You were able to calculate all of that in real time? I believe it!" Zoey said, taking a look at the stats herself.
"Man, they raising a while family of champs! Penny! BeBe and CeCe! All of y'all are gonna be champs just like them ya hear?" Oscar said.
"Other than Michael, Lynn is the best player in this tournament. Obviously the Lions are going to win." LaCienaga said.
"You got the best player on the court, you always got a chance! I should know. I'm going with the Lions." Oscar said.
Suga Mama puts her hand on her forehead. "This child is gonna be the reason that girl loses."
"I'm really interested to see where this goes. If I had to put money on it, I'm going with the Lions. There's just certain players you don't bet against bro! And I have a feeling that she's one of em!" Felix said.
"Whoever wins, it for sure isn't gonna be lopsided." Penny assured.
"What do you think Papi?" Suga Mama said.
"I think I should have stayed home." Papi said in Spanish before laughing.
"Welcome to this first match of the 'Who's Got Game' youth basketball tournament semifinals! This is Tevin Harden speaking and beside me are Jessie Mills and Dan Van Bundy." Tevin, the play-by-play commentator said.
"Glad to be here to call this game. Really interested to see how this one's going to go. Lynn has averaged the highest stats of any player, not just in this game but in this entire tournament. She's been by far the best player in this tournament so far, but the question is: Can she carry that success over here into another win?" Jessie said.
"When you look at the first round it was an absolute walloping. A total domination by the Lions." Tevin said.
"But you look at the team they're facing I don't think that's happening again. They're the only team out of the four that has a full 10 players, so they can be a lot more flexible when it comes to what lineups they want." Dan said.
"And they're not filled with scrubs either. You look at their starters, all of them can play very well. And Wesley, he just took over that last stretch. Doing everything. He played inspired basketball and closed out the game."
"Within those last 3 minutes, he scored or assisted on 7 out of 9 points, all of which were crucial in closing out the game. And take note that these stats are before the game was extended with free throws. " Tevin said as the camera focused on Ashley, AKA Numbuh 5 talking to Lynn.
"You did good last game. But this game's gonna be different, 'cause Ashley refuses to lose." She said.
"Neither do I." Lynn said.
"Our team is takin' you down! No hard feelings." Wesley, AKA Numbuh 4 said in an Australian accent.
"Hope you can back that talk up on the court." Lynn said.
"Oh I fully intend to." Wesley said.
The players go to center court for the tip. "And right in the opening tip we see Lynn go against Wesley. And Lynn takes it and tips it to Liam who takes it up the court."
"I'm on the edge of my seat already! Which surprisingly isn't that sharp." Leni said.
"Over here!" Paula calls out. She gets the ball and was guarded by Ashley.
She passes it to Lincoln, who dribbles and passes it to Lynn who was calling for it.
Wesley jumps up to block it but was too late. Lynn scores the first two points of the game. 2-0.
Nick, down the other end calls for the ball. Wesley reluctantly passes it to him. Which was ultimately the right decision. He was able to get past Lincoln and score. 2-2.
Lincoln takes the ball up and passes it to Diane.
Howie, AKA Numbuh 2 was guarding her. "Okay, you got it but what are you gonna- huh?" Howie said before the ball slipped out as her sweaty palms, didn't allow for her to hold on to the ball for that long. The ball went to Lynn who was able to score with ease. 4-2.
Ashley takes the ball up and passes it to Wesley, who attempts a short range shot but was blocked by Lynn.
"Not gonna be that easy." Lynn said to him.
He runs back and tries to take it from her but he passes it to Lincoln, who shoots but misses. Liam was able to get the rebound over Kumi and shoot it over her for 2 points. 6-2.
Wesley tries to force his way inside and make a pass back outside but it ends up being stolen by Liam. With numbers, Liam was able to pass it to Lincoln for an easy layup. 8-2.
The Dragons try to pass it around to look for a shot but it ended in a miss, even though the shot was a good look.
Lynn takes the ball and passes it to Diane, who's sweaty palms allowed her to make pass back to Lynn that no one else could catch. She scores again. 10-2. Dragons timeout.
"Man, we are stinking up the joint! We've gotta do better!" Numbuh 4 said.
"What I want to know is why that girl in the crutch sounds like me?" Numbuh 5 said.
"Okay guys. They're winning because they're playing better team ball than us. Lynn is great, but they're passing it around too. Wesley, you're forcing up shots and making passes that's too easy for them to read. But it's not just you. Everyone is going to have to play smarter basketball. Got it?" Their coach said.
"Affirmative, coach." Numbuh 1 said.
After the timeout, Ashley controlled the offense, which allowed for the others to play more off the ball. Wesley was able to get open. Lynn chased him around and was able to stay on him but he was able to make a tough shot over her. 10-4. 5:25 left in the first.
"That's great defense, but better offense! Look at Lynn, unlike the last game with the Ninjas, not giving up, moving along with him. He just refused to be denied." Dan said.
"Sorry I'm late guys." Bobby said, concessions in his hands.
"Boo boo bear! Where were you?" Lori asked.
"I forgot my wallet AND my phone, so I had to go back and get them." Bobby said. "Popcorn?"
"Lincoln. Takes the ball up again. Passes it to Paula. She takes one dribble and then uses her crutch to pass to Lynn who's able to throw it down!" Tevin said. 12-4
"Is that even legal?" Ashley asked.
"And if you look at her defender Ashley, she looks confused as ever right now!" Tevin said.
"I mean, to be fair I don't think I've ever seen anything like that before!" Dan said, laughing a little as he talks.
"Me either, but if the refs aren't saying anything about it, then I'm fine with it! More power to them!" Jessie Mills said.
"Ashley, controlling the offense again. Wesley, gets the ball. Passes it to Ashley. She rises up and shoots a three. And gets it to go! The lead is 5 for the Lions with 4:52 left in the quarter." 12-7
"Bringing the ball up. Lynn, calling for it. She's wide open."
"I'll take that!" Wesley said.
"Intercepted by Wesley! He picks up the pace. Now he stops. Now he pops. And it drops!" 12-9
"And you can see, Wesley there, talking with Lynn afterwards. Probably about that last play. I'm interested to see how that matchup's going to go as this game gets deeper." Jessie said.
"Lynn, gets it. One-on-one. She takes the shot. And it goes in and out! It's her first miss of the night."
Lynn Sr. directs Lincoln on what to do defensively, gesturing him to be in a position where he can guard his defender and help on Ashley.
"Nick. Passes it to Ashley. Now Lincoln's shading both. Ashley sees this and passes it back to Nick, who's guarded by Lincoln again. He thought about going in but he takes it back. 9 seconds to shoot. He passes it to Howie, who gets inside the paint and scores!" 12-11
The quarter ends with a score of 21-23, with the Dragons leading.
"Everyone! You're doing great! Keep playing hard! But we're gonna have to rush them a little. They're playing slower to try and get better shots." Lynn said.
"Great job on coming back! But we need to play better on defense! Lynn is just making this look easy." The Lions coach said.
In the second quarter, the energy level for both teams rose. Wesley and Lynn were going at each other a lot, talking after several shots.
In the end, it was a balanced attack from the Dragons that allowed them to withstand another storm from the Lions in the beginning of the quarter. The score going into half being 45-41, with the Lions leading.
When the second half began, it was the Lions with the ball. A miscommunication on defense allowed for Lincoln to make a wide open three point shot. 48-41
"Way to go bro!" Luna said.
"GO LINCOLN!" Lola and Leni said.
"Good job Lincoln!" Lynn Sr. said clapping for him. He had 9 points in the game so far, with 2 rebounds and 2 assists to boot.
But Kumi is able to get those points right back. 48-44.
Five possessions later, substitutions were made. The game was 55-50. Lions. 4:18 remaining.
"Come on L.J., go ahead and get some rest. Liam! Diane! Paula! You guys too!" Lynn Sr. said, leaving Lincoln in as the only starter. This was only the second time she's sat the whole game.
"Maya! Amy! Jamie and Kevin! You're up!" Lynn Sr. said.
"But coach-" Lynn started to protest.
"Listen, I know you're going to say you're not tired, but everyone gets tired. You don't want to burn yourself out when we get to the fourth. Trust me. Not just as your dad, but as your coach."
"Okay coach." Lynn said.
As for the Dragons, only Nick and Wesley were starters on the court. Ben, AKA Numbah 76, sees his first playing time since the second quarter of the first game.
"So this is an interesting change for the Lions. Lincoln is the only starter on the court for them, so he'll be leading the second unit." Tevin said.
"Personally, I'm all for it. Give your second unit some more playing time, and see if you can rest your starters until the fourth so they can be fresh. Maintain the lead, or as a bonus, extend it. Given the current trajectory of this game, it's going to be close. Really close." Dan said.
"Zach, controls the ball." He sees Wesley cutting to the basket and attempts to thread the needle. "Oh, what a pass! And he lays it up and scores! He's got 20 points! That's second only to Lynn who has 25." 55-52.
"Now if you're the opposing teem, here is your opportunity. Put pressure on their coach on making the decision of subbing his starters back in." Jamie said.
"Liam! I'm open!" Lincoln said, but Liam saw a defender waiting to catch it. So instead, he passes it to Amy. Lincoln moves to where Amy is for a handoff and he shoots and scores the long two. 57-52.
"Nice job by Lincoln there. Calling for the ball initially. But when he didn't get it, he moves and goes towards it for an easy pass. Gets the jumper to go." Jamie said.
"Ben, long three pointer. Shot won't go. Here's Lincoln on the other end. He passes to Maya who... appears to have fallen asleep!" Tevin said.
"Maya! Wake up!" Lincoln called out.
Maya wakes up and is able to get the easy two before the defenders could respond. 59-52.
"Come on guys!" Wesley said, yelling at his teammates.
"Sheesh. He sounds like Lynn when she's mad. And I never thought I'd see anyone as competitive as Lynn when it comes to sports. " Lincoln said to the audience.
End of the quarter, the Dragons were up by 1. 71-70.
"All right! Lincoln! I know I rested you for the end of the quarter, but I'm keeping you on the bench for now. Get some more rest." Lynn Sr. said.
"The quarter for all the marbles! The Lions inbound. Lynn, drives, passes it to Kevin and he misses. Rebound Amy! She passes it to Lynn who shoots. And scores! Putting the Lions back up by 1." 72-71
"Ashley dribbles. Nice crossover to get inside. The fadeaway! Short. Rebound Lions. Lynn, passes it Paula who shoots, and gets it to go! For three!" 75-71.
"Howie. Throws it cross court. Kumi. Shoots. Off the mark. Rebound Ashley. Spins. Shoots. Misses it but a foul!" She goes 1 for 2 at the line, missing the first but making the second. 75-72.
At around the 3 minute mark, substitutions were made. Both teams had all of their starters back on the court. The score was 82-84 Dragons.
Wesley shoots a three over Lynn, increasing the lead to 5. 87-82.
Lincoln takes the ball down and passes it to Liam, who allows Lynn to roll to the rim, using his body to impede Wesley's progress. This allowed for an easy layup. 87-84.
Nick gets the ball on a pass but it was tipped out of bounds by Lincoln. A side out with 2:21 remaining.
He passes it to Howie who was just able to get it off before hitting the ground again, making the shot. 89-84.
Lincoln gets another pass from Diane who passes it to Paula for a three that she was able to bank of the backboard. 89-87. Less than 2 minutes left.
Wesley tries to take it himself but misses.
"Rebound Lincoln. 1:35 left in regulation. He passes it to Liam. Thought about the shot, but pulls it back. He passes it back to Lincoln. He looks for Lynn. He sees her move. Tries to lead her for a pass to a shot." Wesley anticipates this and gets to it before she does. "And it's stolen! Wesley! Runs up the court, 1:23 left. Passes it to Nick. 1:10 left, 11 to shoot. He passes it to Ashley. She takes the shot! Misses badly. A fight for the rebound and Howie somehow comes up with it! And a timeout is called. They'll have 14 to shoot with 57 seconds remaining in the ball game."
"Okay guys. We're not out of this one yet! When we get the ball again, I want you to give to Lynn. But Lynn! I want you to find Lincoln! They're going to double you and try to make sure you can't get a good shot off! So Lincoln, I want you to keep moving until you can get a good look at a shot okay?" Lynn Sr. said.
"Right." Lincoln said.
"If we're going to win this game, you're going to have to trust each other. Alright?" Lynn Sr. said.
"You got this Lincoln." Lynn Jr. said.
"Okay. I can do this." Lincoln said.
"They're going to have some trickery up their sleeve involving Lynn! I want you to stay home! Alright! Don't double! Just stay home!" Their coach said.
"As for the current play, just make sure you get a smart shot. Don't turn the ball over!"
"Affirmative." Nick said.
"Right." Wesley said.
"Timeout, side out of bounds. Ashley, gets the inbounds pass. Wesley gets the handoff. He passes it to Howie. He takes the midrange. Missed it. Rebound Liam, who passes it to Lynn immediately. Almost stolen. She dribbles it up. Goes inside."
"They're not doubling." Lynn thought.
"I can take the shot! We can win this." She continued to think.
"8 seconds to shoot. 36 seconds left and counting!"
"Trust your teammates." Lynn Sr. said in her head.
She passes it to Lincoln, to which Nigel was half expecting. But the other half expected her to shoot. That split allowed Lincoln to get the shot off over the raised hand of Nick.
"It's good! And the game is tied! 33 seconds remaining!"
"Let's go Lincoln!" Clyde said, almost falling. Howard catches him just in time.
"YES!" Lincoln said.
"NO!" Lynn Sr. said.
"Quick three! Wide open! And it goes in and out!"
"Dodged a bullet there." Jessie said.
"Lynn. Gets it. Gets doubled immediately. Passes it to Lincoln. 20 seconds left! He passes it to Diane. Who was the ball slip out of her hands again. But somehow she gets it to go! I don;t even think that was intentional!"
"And the Dragons will take their final timeout. With 17 seconds left to go.91-89."
"Expect to see something a little similar to what the Lions did if Wesley can't get a good look. Giving the ball up to someone else to try and make a basket." Dan said.
And that was exactly what their coach said.
Exiting the timeout.
"Nick will inbound. He throws it backcourt to Wesley. He runs up and falls! He looks like he's in pain.
"NOOOOOOO!" He calls out as he loses the ball.
"Ashley dives for it along with Lynn and Lincoln! She gives the ball to Kumi, with one defender in front of her. Right inside the three point line. She shoots. COOOOOOOORD! And the game is tied! With ten seconds left! The Lions take a timeout. The game is tied. It looks like Wesley's okay as he's getting back to the bench."
"What happened Numbuh 4?" Numbuh 5 asked.
"Foot came down awkwardly is all. I'll be all right. But as for you Kuki." He said,
"Yes?" Numbuh 3 said, not sure what he was going to say.
"That... was... amazing!" He said.
"Really?" She asked, perking up.
"Yes!"
"Aw! Thanks!" She said, hugging him.
"Okay! Could you get off please! We still have to finish the game!"
"He's right. We just have to play smart defense. Don't try and go for a steal unless you're absolutely sure you'll get it." Their coach said.
"And out of the timeout. Let's see what they've got in store for us. So it's Lynn inbounding the ball now for a change. She passes it to Liam. He's able to beat his defender off the dribble. Layup is no good! And the Dragons retain it! They'll let the clock run out for overtime! So for this, the overtime period time is unchanged. Each team gets two timeouts."
Overtime begins after about two minutes.
"So overtime begins. It's just a battle of will between these two great teams. Who will win?"
"The tip is up and the Lions control it. Here's Paula. She'll share it. To Amy. She passes it to middle to Lincoln. He goes to the left and backs up, waiting for a switch. Now Howie's on him. He passes it to Liam with six seconds to shoot. Good! And the Lions take the first scratch of OT." 93-91.
"A good look there. Took their time, got the shot they wanted." Dan commented.
"Now, it's the Dragons. They'll let Wesley control it. He makes a pass to Nick in the corner. He'll pumpfake. And get the foul. It'll be a side out of bounds."
"He throws it up over his defender. But its knocked out of bounds. They'll keep it. Intended target there was Kumi."
"They'll try it again. This time the pass is successful. Ashley. Takes the shot off the pass from Howie, but misses. And it'll go the other way." Lynn throws a long pass.
"Look at that football pass!" Amy catches it, who seemed to have fallen asleep in the previous possession. She gets it to go for an uncontested two. 95-91.
"Wesley. Oh what a nifty spin move! And an easy basket. He's got 32!" 95-93. But this would be the last basket scored for the next three minutes.
"A little over a minute left. Both teams seem to be struggling to score in the past three minutes."
"Wesley. Surveys. Makes a bullet pass to the corner. Howie. Shoots a three! Connects! And the Dragons have their first lead in this overtime!" 96-95.
"55 seconds to go! Lincoln. Finds Paula on the right just inside the three point line. A dangerous pass to Liam! He dribbles inside. Layup is no good! But an offensive rebound by Lincoln! He resets. Finds Lynn on a cut and she scores! And the Lions have regained the lead! 97-96! 42 seconds remaining! And a timeout is called!"
"Guys! I have an idea! I noticed that Paula sounds a lot like Ashley. What if we..." Lincoln said, before gathering them around them to say what he wanted low.
"Give me the rock! I can get you guys a bucket!"
"You're not going to get it instantly. We're going to set some screens for you, but you're going to have to keep moving. You'll start off as the inbounder. Then..."
Once the timeout ends, Wesley is there to inbound the ball. He gives it to Nick. Wesley rolls and keeps moving. He gets the ball again.
"He's one-on-one in an isolation play against Lynn."
"Come on Lynn!" He said, dribbling the ball.
"Eight seconds to shoot! He continues to dribble before hesitating and making his move."
"I'm open!" Ashley called out. Wesley, on instinct, passes the ball to the direction of her voice without looking.
"No! That's not me!" Ashley said.
"Huh? No!" He said after realizing that he gave the ball to Paula.
They had no choice but to foul. And it was Liam taking the shots. The lead increased to 3. 99-96.
The Dragons called their final timeout.
"And here's the inbounds pass. 23 seconds remaining. Shot clock is turned off. They deny Wesley the ball. Kumi, gets it. Sets a screen for a switch for Nick. 13 seconds left. He drives and looks for a pass as he was already caught in the air with a defender on him, but doesn't find it! He adjusts to shoot! Blocked, but a foul!"
"That's a nice adjustment there with that hang time. Able to get a foul and give his team a fighting chance." Dan said. He makes both free throws. 99-98. They foul immediately. Diane was sent to the line. Even with her sweaty palms, she was able to make 1 of 2. 100-98
"Ten seconds. Wesley. Lynn on him. Sees Nick in the corner. Passes it to him, but he gets ran off the line. Six seconds. He passes it to Kumi, who quickly passes it to Wesley. Takes the shot over Lynn. To tie! And he misses! And the game is over! An exciting photo finish!"
"Both of these teams played really great..." Dan said, beginning to explain more.
"Darn it!" Wesley said, still standing where he was.
"Hey!"
"Came to rub it in?"
"Nah. You did awesome! Good game." Lynn said, extending a hand.
"Yeah, well... you're not too bad yourself." Wesley said, taking the hand.
After congratulating each other, the Dragons all left the gym.
Leaving the amusement park, they went on a school buss that took off.
The coach is revealed to be a robot as it opens up, with Rachel, AKA Number 362, the Supreme Leader of the KND, was inside it.
"A job well done to all of you on this mission! And a job well done to you all on the court! It was great coaching you all! Thanks to Numbuh 4 for teaching me some of the plays used in basketball, along with the internet of course." Numbah 362 said.
"Yeah well, it still sucks we couldn't win the whole thing. But at least those Teen Ninjas didn't get it! And Numbah 5 is cool with that." She said as the rocket sped off back to Sector V.
"And of course, there was my game. When I tell you we struggled. We STRUGGLED." Michael said.
"But we came back and got the dub. And that's all that matters."
The Hawks were down by 17 at half. But were ultimately able to come back and win by 5. 88-83. And it was all due to the toughness and effort that Coach Collins preached.
"But that's where something went wrong. I was in the heat of the moment. You know, celebrating. Who wouldn't be? We came back down 17 like we were the LA Clippers. But that didn't matter to my dad. All because of one word." Michael said.
They celebrated their victory as they were on their way to the final round against the Lions.
"Michael! You did it!" Penny said.
"We should go get some Wiz slushies to celebrate!" Zoey suggested.
"I'll be with you guys in a minute. I've got to celebrate with my team!" Michael said as Tookie rummages through his hair, celebrating as he lead them in their comeback.
Sticky, Zoey, Dijonay, LaCienaga and Penny all went outside with their parents. Clyde went with Lincoln to talk about the game. With his dads, particularly Harold, wanting to stay and congratulate Michael, excited that Lynn would be taking on a sensational player like him.
"Coach Daddy we did it! We won!" Michael said, looking for him through all of the people leaving.
One of the opposing players heard this. He went over to Michael to shove him a little.
"Coach Daddy? Listen to this guy man! Can't believe we lost to a sissy like him!" He said.
"He wasn't that much of a sissy if he was able to beat you!" Omar said about to run up to confront him. TJ cuts him off, shaking his head.
"You're done. No ifs and or buts about it, you're done on this team and in every other team at the school!" The Samurai coach said, overhearing it as he was right by Coach Collins.
"But coach-"
"Don't but me! You should have thought about that before you made that remark!" The coach said.
Coach Collins waited until the entire Samurai team left along with the crowd. Wizard Kelly was outside taking autographs and questions.
"Coach! We-" Michael started but was cut off by his dad.
"Michael! This is EXACTLY what I was talking about!" He throws down his clipboard. "I've told you OVER AND OVER not to call me that in public! Do you know how embarrassing that is? To hear your own son being called a sissy in public? It's one thing for you to do it in school, everybody knows each other on those teams and in P.E. class. But for you to do that in a public space, when people from all over the darn country are here? I just don't understand it! Why do you have to be like this? Why can't you just be normal like every other boy your age?" He said, fuming.
"Daddy, I just don't understand! What makes me not normal? Is it because I don't like some things that every other boy likes? Because I'm into fashion? Because I'm not interested in girls that way?" Michael said, letting the last part slip out in frustration.
"Wait... what? WHAT!?" Coach Collins said. He looked like he was about to blow a gasket. "GET OUT!" He said, breathing hard.
Michael left out the gym quickly.
Penny was talking to the Louds and her friends but stopped when she saw Michael running out the corner of her eye.
"I'll be right back." She said. As she was walking to go talk to Michael, he heard two people arguing. It was a man and a woman.
"No, I didn't. But I suspected it. I just wasn't going to force it out of him if he wasn't ready to reveal it himself, if that was the case. And what's wrong with that?" She recognized that that was Ms. Collins.
"Everything's wrong with it! He's embarrassing me and himself!"
"Are you sure he's not just embarrassing you?"
"Just look at the kids at school. You may not hear it but they call him a sissy and so many other names behind his back. When I heard he could play basketball really well, I had to see it for myself. And when I did, it was a sigh of relief for me. I thought that maybe he was beginning to break out of it. But it seems like it's only made him worse!"
"Hey Sticky! You seen Michael?" Omar asked.
"He said he was coming here after he celebrated with y'all. I thought he was with you and the team." Sticky said.
"Nope. We left the gym to talk to Wizard Kelly."
"Penny might know where he is. Try asking her about him." Sticky said.
"That is our son! Him wanting to play basketball for you should be enough! There are kids out there that want nothing more than to grow up as soon as possible to get away from their parents for all the wrong reasons. I don't want our only child to grow up and hate his father! Do you?"
"Look. I'll go find him and talk to him alright?"
No response was heard after that. Penny hurried and moved away from the gym. On her way back, she ran into Omar.
"Oh! Hey Omar." Penny said.
"How you doing Penny? I was wondering if you knew where Michael was?" Omar asked.
"I don't. But Coach Collins might."
"Thanks."
"Wait- Omar." He turned.
"After that whole thing at the dance. You guys still weren't bullying Michael afterwards were you?"
" 'Course not. I meant what I said back then. He's got heart. Standing up to Tookie like that."
"Well Coach Collins still thinks you are. He told Michael he was embarrassed of him again. I don't know what else Coach Collins said or if Michael said anything, but I saw Michael running out of the gym out of the corner of my eye earlier."
Omar's mouth open for a second in surprise before saying. "I'm gonna have to talk to the team about this. Then we're talking to Coach. That ain't cool man."
Penny kissed Omar on the cheek. "Thanks Omar."
"That's what friends do right?" Omar said before adding something else.
"Real friends don't leave their friends out to dry." That was an indication to Penny that he was talking about Michael.
"But you're my friend too Penny." He said before going to his team.
Penny just looked on and smiled.
"Michael!" Howard called out.
"Michael!" Harold called.
They found him sitting on a bench alone right outside the amusement park near one of the other entrances.
"Coach must have sent you." He said when they sat down next to him.
"No, he didn't." Harold said.
"We heard the whole thing." Howard said.
"We understand what it's like to feel like we're different from others."
"How could you know?" Michael asked, revealing his face. From his eyes they could tell he was crying.
"Hare-bear and I have been together for 20 years." Howard said, gripping his husband tight.
"We can't change how your dad feels about you or how he feels about who you're interested in romantically. But we can give you some advice." Harold said.
"Sometimes it's not enough to just bottle it up inside. You've got to let it out. How can anyone be mad at you for being well, you?" Howard said.
"Pretty ironic from the person that I have to calm down when he gets too emotional." Harold said.
Howard laughs a little. "Doesn't mean I'm not right."
Michael than remembers when he was bullied by Tookie and the others. "You don't know how it feels to be ridiculed because you're you!" He remembered saying.
"But I've tried to already. It only made things worse." Michael said.
"Michael, we can't tell you what to do, but let me ask you a question. Do you think your dad is mad because he hates you for being you, or because he just doesn't understand you?" Harold said.
Michael got up. He made his decision, adding "Thank you."
Harold and Howard replied with smiles.
On his way back, he heard a voice.
"Michael!"
"Michael!"
"If you could just... let me talk to you for a minute!"
Following the voice, Michael was able to find his dad, who was the source.
"Michael!"
"Coach Dadd- I mean coach." He said, trying to look away but he forces himself to look at his dad in the eyes.
"Listen son. What I said back there. I said it not just because I didn't want you to embarrass me but because I didn't want you to embarrass yourself."
"What are you talking about?" Michael asked.
"When I'm in those classes, there are kids that would talk about you behind your back. Calling you a sissy and every other word like it. I wanted you to call me coach in public because I didn't want them to bully you son."
"But dad I'm over that. I already told Omar and the others about it. We're cool now. On the court and off it."
"I'm sorry son. I guess I didn't know." Coach Collins paused before taking his hat off and putting his left hand on his head. "I guess that's just one of many things I didn't know about you."
"Well... there's more I didn't tell you. The only reason I wanted to join this tournament was because I wanted to play for you dad. And make you happy. I saw how happy it made you knowing that I was interested in a sport and played so well at it, so when you asked me about participating in the tournament, how could I say no? I had to call Penny and ask if she was going to watch me play because I didn't want to feel like I was alone out there." Coach Collins looked down in shame before looking back up at Michael. "But if I'm playing for someone who can't accept me for who I am, then I just can't play anymore. " Michael said.
Coach Collins looks at him in the eyes. "Son... I apologize. When I said that this team needed to embody toughness, I enforced a rule that I myself didn't follow. I was embarrassed because I was afraid of what other people would think. That's not toughness at all. I was listening to the wrong people. You telling me all of this. Well..." He laughs a little. "You're tougher than your old man."
"I may not be able to understand all of your interests son, but I can at least say that I'm here to try. And to listen to you. Not everybody else." He said. Michael could tell it was genuine.
"Thanks. Coach." Michael said.
"You don't have to call me that if you don't want to anymore." Coach Collins said.
"If I'm being honest, dad sounds cooler of the court. But on it, coach is cool too." Michael said. "We probably should get back with everyone else. I did promise I would celebrate with Penny and the rest of my friends."
"You mind if an old man like me tags along for something too? I could use something to cool off." Coach Collins said, tapping him on the back a couple of times.
When they returned, they were greeted by the Hawks.
"What's going on here?" Michael asked.
"We're standing with you Michael. We heard what Coach said." Omar said.
"And it's not cool in our book." Murray said.
"If Michael's not playing, we're not playing." Omar said.
"We already talked about it guys." Michael said.
"I know some things can't exactly be patched up in the span of a day. But I won't make the decision for you. It's up to you son." Coach Collins said.
"Playing in front of Wizard Kelly, all my friends and family and a crowd from different parts of the country and on TV, with my dad coaching me? Along with playing with friends? This is a dream come true for me. I wouldn't miss it for the world!" Michael said.
"All right, then what's the game plan my man?" Tookie asked.
"First, I'm going to get a slushie and something to eat. As for the rest, coach can take care of that." Michael said.
"All right. Hawks! Go ahead! Eat, celebrate, enjoy yourselves! Because we're for sure going to get some practice in before the last game!" Coach Collins said. The team dispersed to celebrate.
45 minutes later
Coach Collins was eating at a table by himself. His wife sat down across from him. Coach Collins' mouth opened up to begin talking to her but she cut him off before he could utter a word.
"I don't want to know what you told him. Or how you're sorry and you're asking me to forgive you. You fixed it and that's all that matters. Just look at him. I can tell he's a lot happier now that he doesn't have that burden anymore." She said looking at Michael. And she was right. He seemed to be expressing himself a lot more than he did before and a lot more openly than before with Penny and the others.
She gave him a kiss on the cheek. For him that was indication enough that she forgave him.
"Wow, you made something like that look so easy." Adrian said. "I make everything I do look easy now." Michael said before getting serious.
"But that wasn't. It takes a lot of courage to come out and expose yourself like that. Especially to someone that you've known your whole life. But it feels so much better when you do." Michael said.
"Thanks. I don't know how he'll react, but I'll feel better knowing that I at least tried." Adrian said.
"Anytime." Michael said.
Adrian turned back to him. "Just one more thing."
"Mm-hm?" Michael said.
"The finals. How did that game go?" Adrian asked. "That entire game was a heartstopper. But I do have to admit, it was the most fun I've had in a basketball game so far..." Michael started.
A/N: The commentators here, Tevin Harden, Jessie Mills, and Dan Van Bundy are all plays on the TNT NBA commentators Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and Stan Van Gundy Respectively.
