Chapter 337: The Tree Hill Bench

Tuesday, January 31st, Evening

There's a pause in play between the quarters. Lucas huddled his team up around him and looked at all the girls. These girls ranged in age from fourteen to what he thinks is eighteen; he'll have to check to see if one of his seniors had their birthday yet. After a moment, he looked each girl in the eyes, pausing for a moment with each.

Once he finished with the girls, he looked at his assistants and got a nod from each. Lucas looked at the girls.

"We've done well tonight, hell, y'all have done very well tonight. Now, we're going into the two-minute lineup," Lucas said.

"Coach, there's a whole quarter to play," Cameron said.

"I know, I can read the scoreboard too," Lucas said, "We're also leading significantly, and we'll get the reserves some playing time. So, that means you sit too, Flannery."

"Yes, Coach," Flannery said.

"So, that means Eva, Cory, Grace, Cam, and Jewell; y'all are checking in. Just play the hydra offense and run down the clock. The usual, try not to make turnovers and don't violate the shot clock," Lucas said.

"Yes, Coach," The Girls said.

"Well, check-in and the rest of y'all get comfortable," Lucas said.

"Yes, Coach," The Team said.

"Hands in," Lucas said.

They put their hands in. They looked to Faye, who nodded. "Is South Brunswick going to beat us, one, two, three," Faye asked.

"Nevermore," The Team said.

Lucas headed to the bench and took his seat. Kiera took a seat on his right. The starters put on their warm-up jerseys and took a seat on the bench. The five girls Lucas called out checked in to play.

"No, Khloe?" Kiera asked.

"She's the baby; I'll send her in for Cory when we're down to two minutes," Lucas said.

"She's talented; that's why we chose her," Kiera said.

"I know, she'll get her time in," Lucas said.

"Just saying," Kiera said.

"I know," Lucas said.

Lucas closed his eyes for a minute and took a deep breath. Once his mind and heart settled down, he opened his eyes. Lucas settled his eyes onto the court as the fourth quarter started. He sat up and watched the gameplay out.

Looking at the court and the team, he smiled in pleasure. The bench players were playing well. He looked down the bench to see most of his veteran players enjoying the time off. They were chatting and cheering on the team. Khloe was sitting upright, her head slightly forward, engaging with the game.

Turning back to the game, he watched the team run their four-post offense. Lucas installed this offense to end games; they had a big lead. He named it hydra after the multiheaded monster in Greek Mythology. They usually ran the triangle offense, which he called delta. The starters would run full set while the younger players had a simplified version.

Initially, he didn't see the hydra offensive run that often. It took time for the team as a program to get to the point where he needed to use it. Life is a funny thing, but they just don't understand the ups and downs. Also, he crafted one fascinating legacy and wondered when he keeps his promise, then hands it off how long it will last.

"What's on your mind?" Kiera asked.

"Legacy," Lucas said.

"We created one hell of one, haven't we," Kiera said.

"That we did, three championships, so far," Lucas said.

Kiera nodded, "Yeah, what's your favorite team?" she asked.

"The last one," Lucas said.

"Why the last one?" Kiera asked.

"I never told you?" Lucas asked.

"No," Kiera said and shook her head, "You haven't."

"Yeah," Lucas said, "It's because I had no family members on that team."

Kiera nodded, "Hmm, good to know," she said.

Lucas looked up at the game clock and nodded. He looked down the bench; Lucas stood up and walked down the bench. He stopped in front of Khloe. The young girl looked up at Lucas.

"Khloe," Lucas said.

"Yes, Coach," Khloe said.

"Check-in for Cory," Lucas said.

"Yes, Coach," Khloe said, stood up, pulled off her warm-up shirt. Lucas watched the young girl walked to the scorer's table. Lucas nodded as he saw the number eight on her back.

Lucas watched and waited for the next whistle. Khloe ran out onto the court; she pointed to Corynn. The sophomore guard turned and ran towards the bench; Lucas greeted Corynn at the sideline and slapped her on the back.

"Great game, Cory, get the ankle looked at," Lucas said.

"Thanks, Coach, I will," Corynn said.

Lucas nodded and stayed at the sideline. Cory pulled on her warm-up shirt and sat down. The team trainer came over and started to check Corynn's ankle. Lucas nodded and turned back to the game.

He sighed and watched the game. Lucas would clap his hands and cheer on his younger players. Gracelyn kept Khloe going in the right direction. Gracelyn had the makings of being a solid point guard and probably be next year's sixth man.

Nodding again, Lucas turned to the bleachers. Looking over the crowd, he studied what faces he could see. Lucas took in several deep breaths and turned back to the game. Nodding, he couldn't help himself and look back to the bleachers. After the second turn back, Kiera got up, grabbed a clipboard, and went to Lucas's side. Kiera held up the clipboard, and Lucas looked at the clipboard.

"Yes?" Lucas asked.

"You better not be looking for Meggy Reuter," Kiera said.

"No, why would you say that?" Lucas asked.

"She's not good for you," Kiera said.

"We had dinner once, we were ex-neighbors, and our kids are friends," Lucas said.

"Yeah, not everyone is on the same page," Kiera said.

"I wasn't looking for Meggy Reuter," Lucas said.

"Good," Kiera said.

"Thanks for your concern," Lucas said.

"Lucas, she's not in the stands," Kiera said.

"Who?" Lucas asked.

"Who you're looking for," Kiera said.

"I know, I know," Lucas said.

"Then why do you do it?" Kiera asked.

"Habit, I guess," Lucas said.

"You need a new habit," Kiera said.

Lucas nodded, "I guess you're right," he said, "Thanks for your concern."

Kiera nodded and returned to the bench. Lucas stood on the sideline, alone. In his mind, one of the loneliest places on the courts and watched the game clock tick down to the final moments of the game.

The final buzzer sounded, ending the game. The players congratulated each other on the court, while the ones on the bench greeted their teammates as they came back to the bench.

Lucas stood alone at the sideline and looked up at the scoreboard; Tree Hill scored sixty-nine to South Brunswick's twenty-six. It was another easy victory. Lucas nodded and looked once more to the bleachers looking, hoping.