Chapter 327: Pressure
Tuesday, January 31st, Evening
About halfway through the first quarter several of the starters were given a chance to catch their breath. Ashlyn stood up and watched as Baylee and Brett came to the bench. Baylee wore Ashlyn's old number, and ironically was one of Brett's oldest friends.
Ashlyn tapped Baylee on the back, "Good job, Bay," Ashlyn said.
"Thanks, Coach," Baylee said.
"Get some water," Ashlyn said.
"Yes, Coach," Baylee said and kept heading to the bench.
Ashlyn turned to catch the eye of her daughter. Brett was a hair bit taller than Ashlyn, as she got her height, like her coloring from her dad. They locked eyes, and Ashlyn nodded.
"Good job, Brett," Ashlyn said.
"Thanks, Coach," Brett said.
"Hydrate," Ashlyn said.
"Yes, Coach," Brett said, and headed to the bench.
Ashlyn nodded and looked over the court. She walked down the bench and took a seat on the left side of Lucas. Lucas was watching the court, and would turn to Kiera on his right and comment. Finally, he turned to look at Ashlyn.
"So, how are the girls?" Lucas asked.
"They're good just getting a breather, the starters are pounding on them," Ashlyn said.
"I've noticed that," Lucas said, matter-of-factly.
"If we have a sizable lead in the second, I'd like to suggest we get Eva, Cory, Flannery, Grace, and Cammie some meaningful minutes together," Kiera said.
Lucas nodded, "I'm not sure about that. What do you think, Ash?" he asked.
"Keep the foot on their throat, what we've done has works so far," Ashlyn said.
"With Eva and Flannery out there to keep them straight, they could get some work in on defense," Kiera said.
"Okay," Lucas said, and nodded.
"If we do this, I suggest keeping them on a short lease," Ashlyn said.
"We have to do something," Lucas said.
"I get it," Kiera said.
"But we shouldn't lose a game because of it," Ashlyn said.
"We're not going to lose the game," Kiera said.
"We're going to start the second quarter with who Kiera suggestion," Lucas said.
"Yes, Coach," Ashlyn said.
"Yes, Lucas," Kiera said.
"Send Bay and Brett back out there for Flannery and Cori, Ashlyn," Lucas said.
"Yes, Coach," Ashlyn said.
"Once the girls are back on the bench, tell them what we're doing," Lucas said.
"What girls are we sending out again?" Ashlyn asked.
"Eva, Cory, Flannery, Grace, and Cam," Lucas said.
"Cam or Flannery at the three?" Ashlyn asked.
"Flannery will be the three," Lucas said.
"Okay," Ashlyn said.
The three coaches looked up to the score board. Ashlyn picked up her clipboard and made a few notes. Kiera leaned back and lowered her chin to watch the game. Lucas leaned forward and rested his forearms on his knees.
As the clock ran down, Lucas looked at Ashlyn. "Let Brett and Bay know they're going in at the next whistle," Lucas said.
"Yes, Coach," Ashlyn said, stood up, and walked down the line. As she walked she kept an eye on the game. Tucking the clipboard under her arm, she clapped when Faye put up a basket. Finally, Ashlyn came to the spot on the bench where Brett and Baylee sat.
"Brett, Bay," Ashlyn said.
"Yes, Coach?" Baylee asked.
"Yes, Coach?" Brett asked.
"Check in, y'all are going in for Flannery and Cory," Ashlyn said.
"Yes, Coach," Baylee said.
"Yes, Coach," Brett said.
Ashlyn nodded, as the two seniors stood up and headed off to the scoring table. Ashlyn watched her daughter and daughter's best friend checked in and took a knee waiting for the next whistle. Slowly, Ashlyn turned and took a seat on the bench. Ashlyn took note of Evalyn, Gracelyn, and Cameron.
"Eva, Grace, Cam, come take a seat near me," Ashlyn said.
"Yes, Coach," Cameron Garcia, number fifteen, a freshman forward, said.
"Yes, Coach," Evalyn Lopez, number forty-four, a junior center, said.
"Yes, Coach," Gracelyn Cooper, number seven, a sophomore guard, said.
The three girls moved down the bench and took a seat around Ashlyn. Evalyn and Cameron were on Ashlyn's right, and Gracelyn was on the left.
"What's up, Coach?" Evalyn asked.
"Let's wait for Cory and Flannery," Ashlyn said.
"Yes, Coach," Evalyn said.
The referee blew a whistle over a turnover. Brett and Baylee ran out on the court. Corynn and Flannery jogged off the court. As they headed back to the bench, Ashlyn looked at them.
"Cory, Flannery, join us please," Ashlyn said.
"Yes, Coach," Flannery O'Brien, number twenty-one, a junior forward, said.
"Yes, Coach," Corynn Conners, number twelve, a sophomore guard, said.
Ashlyn stood up and the two players took a place on the bench. Slowly, Ashlyn looked each girl in the eyes.
"Y'all are starting the second quarter," Ashlyn said.
"What Coach? What about the starters?" Evalyn asked.
"Coach Scott and Coach Sinclair want y'all to start the second quarter, any questions on that?" Ashlyn said.
"Yes, Coach," Evalyn said.
"Flannery, you're the three, Cam you're the four," Ashlyn said.
"Yes, Coach," Flannery said.
"Yes, Coach," Cameron said.
"Play defense, that's what Coach Scott and Coach Sinclair want, I say, do it, lock them down, send a message, but if the opportunity comes put points on the board," Ashlyn said.
"Yes, Coach," Flannery said, as the more a leader then the other four girls. The other four girls nodded.
"Let's hunt for goose eggs," Ashlyn said, "Keep it up, full court pressure."
"Yes, Coach," The Girls said.
Ashlyn nodded, and returned to her place on Lucas's left side. Lucas looked over and made a face. Ashlyn looked at him.
"Did the girls understand what we want?" Lucas asked.
"They understand what we want, but don't understand it," Ashlyn said.
"Understandable, but theirs is not to reason why," Lucas said.
"Theirs is just to do," Kiera said.
"I get it," Ashlyn said, and looked up to the scoreboard as the game clock ran down the last second of the first quarter. The referees blew the whistle. The players on the court walked out of the court to the benches. Ashlyn looked up at the scoreboard, which read Tree Hill Twenty-seven, South Brunswick eight. Yes it, made sense to send in the bench.
