The First Half.
About a month had past since the basketball team had their meeting. Everybody got used to eachother and no longer cared
that Lyssa was a girl. Everyone on the team had become really close friends because of the massive amounts of time they
spent together with practices. Lyssa and Sean were still together and so were Spinner and Paige.
The day went normal. There was nothing special about it, except for the fact that everyone was mentioning the game to Lyssa.
It was the end of the day and the team started walking to the locker room. Lyssa waited for Paige so she could walk in with her and Spirit Squad. She was waiting for Paige, when the other team showed up. One of the guys from the team came up to her.
Hi I'm Alex. He said as he walked up to her.
Hi I'm Lyssa.
I play for the Gouchos, you know the blue team.
I can tell.
Are you cheering today?
Maybe.
Lyssa go get changed. Mr. Armstrong said as he walked out of the gym.
Okay. She turned back to Alex and said, "Well I better go get changed."
Yea, but why is the basketball coach telling you. Why not the cheerleading coach?
She just shrugged her shoulders and walked away. Sean saw her walk into the gym and decided to go talk to her.
He didn't see her when he walked in, so he thought he would go find out where she changed. He walked into the boys locker
room and found Jimmy.
Hey Jimmy, you know where Lyssa changes?
Yea, right there. He said as he pointed to Lyssa who was taking off her shirt.
What are you doing! he said walking up to her.
Ch-ang-ing. She replied as if she was talking to a little kid.
In here, with the guys?
Yea so what? she asked confused.
So what? I'll tell you what. The fact that your on a BOYS TEAM, and your changing right in front of them. He said angrily.
I know. What's the big deal?
These are guy's, there not ignoring the fact that your taking your clothes off in front of them.
Yes they are, I've been doing it since tryouts. They're used to it.
I doubt it. He said annoyed.
Relax, go out and sit with Dylan. I promised they don't care. She said trying to calm him down.
Fine, I'll go sit, just promise me you will make sure that they aren't looking.
Okay, now let me finish putting my uniform on. she said as she gave him a kiss, and pushed him out the door.
She finished changing and sat next to Jimmy, When Mr. Armstrong walked in.
Okay, the starting five are Brookes, Gavin, Nunez, Santana, and Torney. Lyssa, I want you to run the point, Jimmy
your going to take it out, Spinner your small foward, Nunez your the 4(power foward) and Santana your the 5(center).
We are going to start out with man to man defense, Lyssa I want you to defend their point guard. Okay everybody hands in.
Jimmy yelled, "One, two, three."
Everyone yelled, "Panthers!"
Lets go! Jimmy said as they started to walk out. When Lyssa walked out of the locker room she walked up to Dylan,
Sean and Paige.
I'm in the starting five. She said smiling.
What position? Dylan asked looking at her.
Point.
Thats your best position. Sean said.
Yea, well I have to go warm up. She said as she walked away. She saw Alex walk out the other locker room, and decided to go
talk to him.
Hey. She said walking up to him.
Hey.
I just wanted to say good luck.
Thanks. He replied looking at her funny.
Well I have to go warm up. I'll talk to you later.
Yea sure. Warm up? He said to himself.
The warm ups were finished and the players went to there benches. The huddles were done and the coach on the other team
noticed Lyssa on the court. He walked up to the ref.
Hey ref, theres a girl on the court. He said as he pointed to Lyssa.
I know.
She's not aloud to play, these are boys teams.
I know that these are boys teams, and she is aloud to play.
No shes not. he said getting very annoyed. Lyssa heard what was going on and walked up to the coach.
Hi my name is Lyssa. I will be playing against your team. She said happily.
Not if I can help it. He said barely looking at her.
Well you can't. She said to him with an attitude starting to come out.
Excuse me. He replied now fully turned to her.
You heard me, and I can give you the reason why I AM playing today.
And what is that, your really a boy and you just look like a girl. he said loud and clear so everyone could here.
The gym went silent. Sean looked like he was about to kill coach but Dylan grabbed his arm.
She can handle herself. He whispered still watching to see how she would react.
No I'm not a boy. She replied with alot of attitude this time. But Section number nine does states, if there is a boy's sport's team but not a girl's team in the same sport, any girl is aloud to tryout for the boys team. I made it, so if you don't have anything else to say I need to get back to the game so we can beat you. She said plainly and walked away.
He just stood there and looked at her blankly. Everyone was still silent, and eager to finally see Lyssa play.
She walked back onto the court and waited for the game to start. She looked over at Dylan and laughed, because he was giving
her the thumbs up.
The ref turned to the coach and said as he smiled, "Thats why she can play."
He blew his whistle so the game could begin. The tip off was between their center and Santana(4).
The tip off goes to the Lyssa(10). She brings up the ball, and passes Jimmy(15). He passes it back. She's being defended by Alex(3). She put the ball through her legs, and goes around him. She drives to the basket but dishes it off to Spinner(11) for the assist. Everyone falls back besides Lyssa and Alex. The Panthers are playing man to man. Lyssa is deffending Alex who
is dribbling up the court. He crosses over, BUT NOO Lyssa steals the ball and goes for the fast break.
Foul her. The coach yelled from the sidelines.
Alex runs after her to foul her. He jumps up and knocks her over but she already shot the lay-up. She falls on her shoulder,
the Whistle blows, and the ref goes up to the table.
Count the basket, 3 blue push. He said doing the hand movements. Lyssa was still on the floor. Jimmy ran to her along with
the rest of the team on the court and Coach Armstrong. Alex from the other team went to go help her up. She just gave him
and evil look and got up on her own.
You okay? Jimmy asked as she walked to the foul line.
I'm fine. She said as she looked over at Sean and Dylan who looked like they were about to jump on the guy who fouled her.
She just smiled and waited for the ref to give her the ball.
One shot. He said as he gave her the ball.
She took the foul shot and made it.
The game went on for about five more minutes until the Gouchos coach called a time out.
The teams walked to their benches. Lyssa sat down rubbing her shoulder.
You okay? Mr. Armstrong asked her.
Yea, I'm fine. But I'm going to feel it in the morning. She said laughing a little.
Okay. Lyssa they know you can drive, they are most likley going to make you shoot from the outside. I know you can get past
them anyway, but shoot the three you can make it. Jimmy good job, I want you to help her bring up the ball if you need to
they are probably going to double team her.
The Gouchos coach on was also talking.
She may be a girl, but she is good and she can handle some pain. I haven't seen her shoot from the outside yet, she proved
that she can drive. Try and force her to shoot from the outside. If she can shoot then I want you to double team her. Got
it? He said as they started to walk back onto the court.
Blue ball. the ref yelled handing the ball to the person taking it out.
He passed it into Alex, Lyssa was defending him. He dribbled down to the right the whole time until he passed it into the post. Number five was posting up spinner, he faked to the left and went right, he made the shot. Lyssa got the ball on the inbound. She was dribbling up court.
Its going to take alot more than a push to take me out of this game. She said to Alex as she put the ball around her back
and passed it to Nunez. Alex followed the ball leaving Lyssa open. She got the ball back and shot from the top of the key.
Its good for the three pointer. This time Alex didn't bring up the ball, he fell back and Lyssa followed him. The other team
passed him the ball but Lyssa intercepted, she passed a lead off pass to Jimmy for the fast break. Who made the lay-up.
Thirty seconds she heard someone call out.
Diamond press. Mr. Armstrong called out.
Everyone got into their positions. Lyssa was chasing the ball when someone set a pic. The blocked her off from defending
Alex, as she ran down court to catch up. Fifteen seconds. Someone shot the ball from the other team and missed. Santana got
the rebound and threw the ball to Lyssa, 3,2, She shot the ball from about three feet into the half court line, but missed.
The buzzer went off. The score was 23, to 15 Degrassi was winning.
First quarter. She heard the ref say, as she was walking to the bench. Where Mr. Armstrong was talking.
Good job everyone, But when your on defense you have to call out pics. Lyssa I want you to
feed the ball inside more.
Okay.
Rest up a little until they call you out.
Lyssa picked of her water bottle and drank from it.
On the other bench the coach was yelling at his team.
Your going to let a girl run this game! he yelled as he threw down his clip board on the floor. She's good I know but she is making you look like idiots. This is what I want you to do. Double team her when she brings up the ball, as soon as she stops her dribble trap her. She can shoot so make her pass or post up. She's an all around player and she's not leaving many options open for us to stop her. She may even be able to post up to but right now its the only thing we have to work with. She's short so make her fight to get over you.
The whistle blew and the players started to get onto the court.
Blue ball. the ref called out.
They passed in the ball and started to bring up the ball this time Jimmy was on top putting pressure on the ball, they were
now playing a one one three zone. Lyssa was at the top of the key. As the ball was brought up to the top of the key they
changed into a two three zone. They shifted into position where ever the ball went they went. Number 5 had the ball at the
top of the key, he passed it to 23, who shot a jump shot and made it. As the ball was inbounded they double teamed Lyssa,
she quickly passed to Jimmy and stayed with him, they passed half court and switched positions. Lyssa went down low and
Spinner went up top.
What are they doing? The coach from the blue team thought, Jimmy drove to the basket but was closed out by two defenders
He passed it to Lyssa who started posting up the guy behind her. He tryed to close off her right side, so she spun left and
took the two foot jump shot. The game continued for about 5 more minutes. The gouchos caught up quite a bit in those 5
minutes until the buzzer went off. The score was now 33 29.
It was half time and they walked into the locker rooms. The clock was set for a 15 minute half time. After about five
minutes the team came out and started shooting around. Lyssa walked over to Sean.
Hey sexy. He said as he saw her walking up to him.
Sexy? Look at me, I'm a mess. I'm all sweaty and nasty.
So, your still beatiful.
Thanks. But you know wut I'm missing?
No what?
This. She leaned in and kissed him.
Yea I was missing that too. He replied but kissing her again. Dylan was watching them, and just rolled his eye's,
You know, you shouldnt be talking to guys when you have a boyfriend. Lyssa heard someone say from behind her.
You know, my team is filled with guys, how am I not going to talk to them. She said as she turned around, to see Alex standing behind her. You want to know something else? she said with an attitude.
Yea whats that? he replied.
The fact that its none of your buisness. She said to him, as Sean put his hands on her shoulder.
Relax, I just wanted to come over here and tell you I was sorry for the hard foul.
Look, basketball is a contact sport. If I couldn't handle a little bit of pain then I wouldn't be playing.
True, but most girls don't play with guys. So I assumed that you normally play with girls and were only playing with guys
because this school doesnt have a girls team.
Well you thought wrong.
Apparently so.
Look I dont want an apology.
Then what do you want? he asked.
You really want to know what I want.
That's why I asked.
I want you to go out there and play me like I'm one of the guys. I dont want you to go soft because I'm a girl.
Just so you know, I'm not going soft, your just really good.
Thanks, but I think your coach is annoyed with the fact your talking to me. She said as she pointed to his coach.
Yea well I better be shooting around.
She just turned back to Sean and asked, "So how am I playing?"
Amazing, I think your the best one out there.
I don't think so.
Well I do. Go ice your shoulder it's already starting to bruise. He said as he pointed to her shoulder.
It will bruise anyway I might as well wait will I go home. But I do have to go and warm up. She kissed him on the cheek and
went to go shoot around.
About a month had past since the basketball team had their meeting. Everybody got used to eachother and no longer cared
that Lyssa was a girl. Everyone on the team had become really close friends because of the massive amounts of time they
spent together with practices. Lyssa and Sean were still together and so were Spinner and Paige.
The day went normal. There was nothing special about it, except for the fact that everyone was mentioning the game to Lyssa.
It was the end of the day and the team started walking to the locker room. Lyssa waited for Paige so she could walk in with her and Spirit Squad. She was waiting for Paige, when the other team showed up. One of the guys from the team came up to her.
Hi I'm Alex. He said as he walked up to her.
Hi I'm Lyssa.
I play for the Gouchos, you know the blue team.
I can tell.
Are you cheering today?
Maybe.
Lyssa go get changed. Mr. Armstrong said as he walked out of the gym.
Okay. She turned back to Alex and said, "Well I better go get changed."
Yea, but why is the basketball coach telling you. Why not the cheerleading coach?
She just shrugged her shoulders and walked away. Sean saw her walk into the gym and decided to go talk to her.
He didn't see her when he walked in, so he thought he would go find out where she changed. He walked into the boys locker
room and found Jimmy.
Hey Jimmy, you know where Lyssa changes?
Yea, right there. He said as he pointed to Lyssa who was taking off her shirt.
What are you doing! he said walking up to her.
Ch-ang-ing. She replied as if she was talking to a little kid.
In here, with the guys?
Yea so what? she asked confused.
So what? I'll tell you what. The fact that your on a BOYS TEAM, and your changing right in front of them. He said angrily.
I know. What's the big deal?
These are guy's, there not ignoring the fact that your taking your clothes off in front of them.
Yes they are, I've been doing it since tryouts. They're used to it.
I doubt it. He said annoyed.
Relax, go out and sit with Dylan. I promised they don't care. She said trying to calm him down.
Fine, I'll go sit, just promise me you will make sure that they aren't looking.
Okay, now let me finish putting my uniform on. she said as she gave him a kiss, and pushed him out the door.
She finished changing and sat next to Jimmy, When Mr. Armstrong walked in.
Okay, the starting five are Brookes, Gavin, Nunez, Santana, and Torney. Lyssa, I want you to run the point, Jimmy
your going to take it out, Spinner your small foward, Nunez your the 4(power foward) and Santana your the 5(center).
We are going to start out with man to man defense, Lyssa I want you to defend their point guard. Okay everybody hands in.
Jimmy yelled, "One, two, three."
Everyone yelled, "Panthers!"
Lets go! Jimmy said as they started to walk out. When Lyssa walked out of the locker room she walked up to Dylan,
Sean and Paige.
I'm in the starting five. She said smiling.
What position? Dylan asked looking at her.
Point.
Thats your best position. Sean said.
Yea, well I have to go warm up. She said as she walked away. She saw Alex walk out the other locker room, and decided to go
talk to him.
Hey. She said walking up to him.
Hey.
I just wanted to say good luck.
Thanks. He replied looking at her funny.
Well I have to go warm up. I'll talk to you later.
Yea sure. Warm up? He said to himself.
The warm ups were finished and the players went to there benches. The huddles were done and the coach on the other team
noticed Lyssa on the court. He walked up to the ref.
Hey ref, theres a girl on the court. He said as he pointed to Lyssa.
I know.
She's not aloud to play, these are boys teams.
I know that these are boys teams, and she is aloud to play.
No shes not. he said getting very annoyed. Lyssa heard what was going on and walked up to the coach.
Hi my name is Lyssa. I will be playing against your team. She said happily.
Not if I can help it. He said barely looking at her.
Well you can't. She said to him with an attitude starting to come out.
Excuse me. He replied now fully turned to her.
You heard me, and I can give you the reason why I AM playing today.
And what is that, your really a boy and you just look like a girl. he said loud and clear so everyone could here.
The gym went silent. Sean looked like he was about to kill coach but Dylan grabbed his arm.
She can handle herself. He whispered still watching to see how she would react.
No I'm not a boy. She replied with alot of attitude this time. But Section number nine does states, if there is a boy's sport's team but not a girl's team in the same sport, any girl is aloud to tryout for the boys team. I made it, so if you don't have anything else to say I need to get back to the game so we can beat you. She said plainly and walked away.
He just stood there and looked at her blankly. Everyone was still silent, and eager to finally see Lyssa play.
She walked back onto the court and waited for the game to start. She looked over at Dylan and laughed, because he was giving
her the thumbs up.
The ref turned to the coach and said as he smiled, "Thats why she can play."
He blew his whistle so the game could begin. The tip off was between their center and Santana(4).
The tip off goes to the Lyssa(10). She brings up the ball, and passes Jimmy(15). He passes it back. She's being defended by Alex(3). She put the ball through her legs, and goes around him. She drives to the basket but dishes it off to Spinner(11) for the assist. Everyone falls back besides Lyssa and Alex. The Panthers are playing man to man. Lyssa is deffending Alex who
is dribbling up the court. He crosses over, BUT NOO Lyssa steals the ball and goes for the fast break.
Foul her. The coach yelled from the sidelines.
Alex runs after her to foul her. He jumps up and knocks her over but she already shot the lay-up. She falls on her shoulder,
the Whistle blows, and the ref goes up to the table.
Count the basket, 3 blue push. He said doing the hand movements. Lyssa was still on the floor. Jimmy ran to her along with
the rest of the team on the court and Coach Armstrong. Alex from the other team went to go help her up. She just gave him
and evil look and got up on her own.
You okay? Jimmy asked as she walked to the foul line.
I'm fine. She said as she looked over at Sean and Dylan who looked like they were about to jump on the guy who fouled her.
She just smiled and waited for the ref to give her the ball.
One shot. He said as he gave her the ball.
She took the foul shot and made it.
The game went on for about five more minutes until the Gouchos coach called a time out.
The teams walked to their benches. Lyssa sat down rubbing her shoulder.
You okay? Mr. Armstrong asked her.
Yea, I'm fine. But I'm going to feel it in the morning. She said laughing a little.
Okay. Lyssa they know you can drive, they are most likley going to make you shoot from the outside. I know you can get past
them anyway, but shoot the three you can make it. Jimmy good job, I want you to help her bring up the ball if you need to
they are probably going to double team her.
The Gouchos coach on was also talking.
She may be a girl, but she is good and she can handle some pain. I haven't seen her shoot from the outside yet, she proved
that she can drive. Try and force her to shoot from the outside. If she can shoot then I want you to double team her. Got
it? He said as they started to walk back onto the court.
Blue ball. the ref yelled handing the ball to the person taking it out.
He passed it into Alex, Lyssa was defending him. He dribbled down to the right the whole time until he passed it into the post. Number five was posting up spinner, he faked to the left and went right, he made the shot. Lyssa got the ball on the inbound. She was dribbling up court.
Its going to take alot more than a push to take me out of this game. She said to Alex as she put the ball around her back
and passed it to Nunez. Alex followed the ball leaving Lyssa open. She got the ball back and shot from the top of the key.
Its good for the three pointer. This time Alex didn't bring up the ball, he fell back and Lyssa followed him. The other team
passed him the ball but Lyssa intercepted, she passed a lead off pass to Jimmy for the fast break. Who made the lay-up.
Thirty seconds she heard someone call out.
Diamond press. Mr. Armstrong called out.
Everyone got into their positions. Lyssa was chasing the ball when someone set a pic. The blocked her off from defending
Alex, as she ran down court to catch up. Fifteen seconds. Someone shot the ball from the other team and missed. Santana got
the rebound and threw the ball to Lyssa, 3,2, She shot the ball from about three feet into the half court line, but missed.
The buzzer went off. The score was 23, to 15 Degrassi was winning.
First quarter. She heard the ref say, as she was walking to the bench. Where Mr. Armstrong was talking.
Good job everyone, But when your on defense you have to call out pics. Lyssa I want you to
feed the ball inside more.
Okay.
Rest up a little until they call you out.
Lyssa picked of her water bottle and drank from it.
On the other bench the coach was yelling at his team.
Your going to let a girl run this game! he yelled as he threw down his clip board on the floor. She's good I know but she is making you look like idiots. This is what I want you to do. Double team her when she brings up the ball, as soon as she stops her dribble trap her. She can shoot so make her pass or post up. She's an all around player and she's not leaving many options open for us to stop her. She may even be able to post up to but right now its the only thing we have to work with. She's short so make her fight to get over you.
The whistle blew and the players started to get onto the court.
Blue ball. the ref called out.
They passed in the ball and started to bring up the ball this time Jimmy was on top putting pressure on the ball, they were
now playing a one one three zone. Lyssa was at the top of the key. As the ball was brought up to the top of the key they
changed into a two three zone. They shifted into position where ever the ball went they went. Number 5 had the ball at the
top of the key, he passed it to 23, who shot a jump shot and made it. As the ball was inbounded they double teamed Lyssa,
she quickly passed to Jimmy and stayed with him, they passed half court and switched positions. Lyssa went down low and
Spinner went up top.
What are they doing? The coach from the blue team thought, Jimmy drove to the basket but was closed out by two defenders
He passed it to Lyssa who started posting up the guy behind her. He tryed to close off her right side, so she spun left and
took the two foot jump shot. The game continued for about 5 more minutes. The gouchos caught up quite a bit in those 5
minutes until the buzzer went off. The score was now 33 29.
It was half time and they walked into the locker rooms. The clock was set for a 15 minute half time. After about five
minutes the team came out and started shooting around. Lyssa walked over to Sean.
Hey sexy. He said as he saw her walking up to him.
Sexy? Look at me, I'm a mess. I'm all sweaty and nasty.
So, your still beatiful.
Thanks. But you know wut I'm missing?
No what?
This. She leaned in and kissed him.
Yea I was missing that too. He replied but kissing her again. Dylan was watching them, and just rolled his eye's,
You know, you shouldnt be talking to guys when you have a boyfriend. Lyssa heard someone say from behind her.
You know, my team is filled with guys, how am I not going to talk to them. She said as she turned around, to see Alex standing behind her. You want to know something else? she said with an attitude.
Yea whats that? he replied.
The fact that its none of your buisness. She said to him, as Sean put his hands on her shoulder.
Relax, I just wanted to come over here and tell you I was sorry for the hard foul.
Look, basketball is a contact sport. If I couldn't handle a little bit of pain then I wouldn't be playing.
True, but most girls don't play with guys. So I assumed that you normally play with girls and were only playing with guys
because this school doesnt have a girls team.
Well you thought wrong.
Apparently so.
Look I dont want an apology.
Then what do you want? he asked.
You really want to know what I want.
That's why I asked.
I want you to go out there and play me like I'm one of the guys. I dont want you to go soft because I'm a girl.
Just so you know, I'm not going soft, your just really good.
Thanks, but I think your coach is annoyed with the fact your talking to me. She said as she pointed to his coach.
Yea well I better be shooting around.
She just turned back to Sean and asked, "So how am I playing?"
Amazing, I think your the best one out there.
I don't think so.
Well I do. Go ice your shoulder it's already starting to bruise. He said as he pointed to her shoulder.
It will bruise anyway I might as well wait will I go home. But I do have to go and warm up. She kissed him on the cheek and
went to go shoot around.
