Chapter 320: Opening

Tuesday, January 31st, Evening

They collected the guests in the corner of the field house. Angela looked around the team, nodded, or chatted with the other teammates. The teams playing tonight were out on the court; their warm-ups were some of the same ones she remembered doing when she played.

Angela watched as Ashlyn was watching the girls and would shout out a correction every so often. On the far side of the court, Coach Sinclair kept a similar watch. Not much has changed, Angela reflected.

"Looks different from this side, doesn't it," Devyn said.

Angela nodded, "Yeah, it's nice not getting yelled at," she said.

"So, I heard rumors you're leaving New York," Devyn said.

"That's all they are rumors and innuendo," Angela said.

"Let me guess you don't deal in rumor and innuendo," Devyn said.

"Exactly," Angela said.

"My question is, when are you coming home?" Devyn asked.

"Where is home?" Angela asked.

Devyn chuckled, and the buzzer went off, telling the teams that warm-ups have ended. The two teams left the court, with the Tree Hill Team joining the previous players. They all looked at the older women and nodded.

The lights dimmed until it was almost dark. Angela looked out onto the court and watched as someone walked to Center Court. So, it was about to begin. Angela couldn't wait to have this done and over with.

Finally, a single light shined on Center Court, and standing there of all people is Nathan Scott. Angela nodded and had to admit her cousin cleaned up nicely, as he's dressed in a nice suit, probably something on par with Brook's Brothers.

"Welcome, Ladies and Gentlemen, and all our Raven's Fans on the net as we're streaming this event. A special hello to our fans at home who couldn't be with us tonight," Nathan said, and the crowd clapped.

"I'm Nathan Scott, and I've been asked to MC this ceremony by the athletics department. Personally, I was very honored as among the people we're honoring tonight include my brother, cousin, niece, and daughter-in-law," Nathan said and paused; he looked around the field house.

Angela nodded; they were going to call them out soon. She knew she wouldn't be the first one called out because of the way they decided to do the introductions.

"So, how about we start bringing out the team?" Nathan asked and got the crowd to clap and cheer.

Angela rolled her eyes. This ceremony was cheesy, she thought to herself. Please, just get this over with.

"Do you want them?" Nathan asked, trying to be the hype man. The crowd cheered. Angela sighed; she was already starting to hate this.

"Let's give a big Tree Hill welcome for your first-ever Tree Hill High School Girls' Basketball State Champion!" Nathan cried out, and the crowd went crazy.

"First, we have number three, at guard one of the most successful high school players to play here, and one of the wonder freshmen, Kay Scott," Nathan announced to the crowd.

The crowd clapped as Kay walked out of the shadows. Angela watched her niece and first protégée as she stepped out to Center Court. Kay wore a nice business pants suit, and on the lapel of her blazer, she had pinned a pin representing the Chicago Sky.

Kay waved to the crowd. The crowd well received that. Many people sitting in the bleachers weren't even born when Kay cemented her name in the myths of this Tree Hill Team. One-shot, a buzzer-beater to win it all, just as her dad did to win his title as a player.

Kay ended up standing in front of Nathan. He kissed her on the cheek, and they exchanged a few words. Next, a cheerleader, Sawyer, to be exact, came out to Center Court and gave Kay a bouquet. Kay took the floors and thanked Sawyer. To Angela's surprise, Kay took in the scent of the roses.

"Next, let's welcome out number four, at center, the tallest player ever to play for the girls' basketball team, Mackenzie Bissett," Nathan said.

The crowd whistled and cheered as Mackenzie walked out to Center Court. Angela noted Mackenzie was dressed smartly in a business suit with a skirt. Mackenzie also wore a pin of the team she played overseas for.

Mackenzie waved to the crowd and took her place next to Kay. Angela noted the contrast in the two women's height. Kay wasn't short but compared to Mackenzie; everyone is short. Angela enjoyed her two seasons playing with Mackenzie. Mackenzie had a sense of humor and is loyal as hell. One thing Mackenzie became was the locker room enforcer, her sheer size being intimidating.

Mackenzie looked over to Kay and then Nathan. Angela noted Mackenzie is taller than both of them. This difference, for some reason, Angela found funny as she stood there and took it all in. Nathan looked up at Mackenzie, smiled, exchanged a few pleasantries, and shook hands.

Angela wondered which cheerleader would be coming out for Mackenzie. As Angela had noted, Mackenzie's height is sheer intimidating, and the young girls seemed to give her a wide breadth. Finally, a cheerleader emerged from the shadows. The girl was slightly above average in height and had auburn hair. This girl bravely walked over to Mackenzie and gave her the boutique of roses.

Mackenzie took the flowers and seemed to thank the girl. As per her usual self, Mackenzie held up the flowers and waved to the crowd. Lowering the bundle of flowers, Mackenzie took in the scent of the flowers before standing still.

"We have the first of the three seniors on the team, number six, at guard, forward, and center, the surest passer on the team, Doctor Ashton Perry," Nathan said.

Ashton walked out of their group onto the court. Ashton was the shortest of the A's and had no natural position. During her time at Tree Hill, Angela knew that Ashton lined up at every position on the court.

The crowd greeted Ashton, and many in the stands knew that it was Ashton that got Kay the ball to make the championship-winning shot. Ashton stopped a few steps from the baseline, and Kay and Mackenzie turned to face Ashton. A basketball came out of the darkness to Ashton.

Kay handed Mackenzie her boutique of roses. Ashton smiled and nodded; after a brief pause, Ashton tossed the basketball. The ball sailed beautifully through the air, and Kay caught it cleanly. The crowd went wild. Kay tucked the ball under her left arm and shook her right arm; Mackenzie handed Kay back her flowers.

Ashton nodded and smiled in approval, and resumed her walk to Center Court. Ashton took her place next to Mackenzie. Nathan went over to Ashton and greeted her; they exchanged a few words and hugged. The two of them laughed and joked for a few minutes.

Finally, a dark-haired cheerleader came out to Ashton. They greeted each other, and Ashton took her flowers. Ashton to a quick sniff of them, and once it met her approval, she smiled. The cheerleader headed back into the dark. Ashton waved to the crowd again, to which the crowd responded with clapping and cheering.

Angela turned away to look at the crowd. Finally, she turned to look over to the current basketball team. Angela noted, to some, this was an utter bore; to others, they were engaged with what was going on.

Brett looked to Angela and nodded. Angela nodded back and smiled. Brett made a gesture that she was bored and kill her now. Angela shook her head and laughed. Brett smiled and sent Angela the sign for "I love you." Angela nodded and sent it right back.

Angela turned to the team played on and studied them. They were all here and calm, except one. Angela looked at the stand-in for the missing woman, her high school-aged son. Angela wondered about the young man and if he could emotionally handle it. Was it too much for a young person to represent his mom by himself?

Angela turned to the crowd and looked into the stands. Slowly, she looked over the face until she saw her mom and Andy. Angela smiled; they were always there for her games, even coming down from Greenwich to watch her play in Brooklyn. If they couldn't be there, they watched it on TV which they paid for a package to get all her games. It is only fitting for them to be here.

Angela next found Jess. Mom and daughter made brief eye contact. Angela nodded, smiled, and tapped her heart twice, which ended with Angela pointed at Jess. Jess smiled and returned the gesture. Angela nodded and returned to paying attention to the ceremony.