Chapter 509: Hoggard

Friday, February 17th, Evening

Neutral site, the last game of the conference tournament, this game would determine who would walk away as the champion. Standing in the doorway to the locker room, she looked around the waiting gym. She looked to the left and right of her, the two other women. They looked at each other and nodded.

Brett took Avril's hand in her left and Baylee's in her right. They each squeezed the other just to reassure each other. They dropped each other's hands and ran out onto the court's parquet floor. They settled around one of the baskets to start the pre-game warmups.

They finished the warmups, went to the bench, and talked with the coaches. Only two coaches tonight, Coach Pierce-Scott was on bereavement leave. Brett looked over to Coach Scott and Coach Sinclair; she decided to stay in school instead of the funeral; Brett wanted to play tonight.

"Okay, Hoggard, we've seen them before, we know them, they know us. Play our game, and we'll be fine. So, usual starters, go out and have fun and win the game," Coach Scott said.

"Ravens on three," Faye Ambrose said, "One, two, three."

"Ravens!" the team said.

Brett removed her warmup shirt and walked onto the court. She ran her hands down her jersey and felt the texture of the black neutral site jersey. Getting into her position, she lined up, looking at her opponent.

"Are you ready for this?" The Hoggard Power Forward asked.

"Always," Brett said and put in her mouthguard.

The ball went up for the jump ball. The game started to roll away as the players pushed down the court. It turned into a brutal game. The slow and physical play was the hallmark of the game.

The game ended with Tree Hill beating Hoggard 54 to 46. Tree Hill players ran off the bench and onto the court. They mobbed the players on the court. Brett held onto Avril and Baylee as they celebrated.

Brett looked into the stands, and she thought she saw her dad's face in the crowd. His ginger hair was a dead giveaway; Brett smiled and knew where she got the red hair from. Or she thought that was him.

They have presented the trophy for being the conference championship. There were pictures taken, and they went into the locker room. Brett found a spot near her locker and heavily landed on the bench in the locker room.

Brett's hands fell into her lap. Her head hung as the weight of her upper body fell onto her elbows. Brett took several deep breaths and let them out. The breaths came out heavy and with a couple of sobs.

Baylee was the first to notice, walked over, and took a seat next to her. Baylee put her arm over Brett.

"What's wrong, B?" Baylee asked.

"I don't know," Brett said.

Avril came over and sat down next to Brett. "Are you sure, B?" Avril said, putting her arm around Brett.

Brett let out a heavy sigh. "How did they do it?" she asked.

"Do what?" Baylee asked.

"It all, through the drama, the fights, the parents, they came out on the hardwood and played like goddesses," Brett said.

"Don't worry about it; we won, and we're not my aunt or your mom," Avril said.

"I'm a mess inside right now," Brett said.

"That's to be understood, B; you just lost your grandma. We would understand if you tapped out tonight; Flan could have done the job," Baylee said.

"This is my team; I need to be here," Brett said.

"That's why I'm here," Baylee said.

"C'mon, shower, and I have my car here; I'll buy you a drink to celebrate," Avril said.

"Also, how they did it was your Auntie Tall. She's a lot like Mandy to Murdock," Baylee said.

"You're comparing Auntie Tall to your two-pound ferret?" Avril asked.

"Hey, Mandy thinks she's as big as Murdock," Baylee said.

"Well, Mandy had no fear, and Murdock is scared of her," Baylee said.

"You and your cat snake," Avril said.

"She's my queen," Baylee said.

Brett picked up her head, shook it, and laughed, "I'm going to shower," she said.

The three seniors walked out of the locker room after they had showered and changed. They saw a tall chestnut-haired boy kissing a dark-haired cheerleader. Baylee smiled.

"Hey, Shep, let Alexis get some air," Baylee said.

He broke off their kiss and looked at Baylee. "Bay," Shepherd Gresham said.

"Where's Parker?" Baylee asked.

"Here Bay," parker Gresham said. Baylee turned and smiled at Parker. Parker was slender with chestnut hair and wore blue jeans and a flannel button-down shirt.

Baylee walked over to Parker and wrapped her arms around Parker. Parker returned the favor, and they kissed. Avril and Brett kept walking.

"They're such a cute couple," Avril said.

Brett nodded, "I don't get them, but yeah, if they're happy, they're a cute couple," she said.

"Is Garvan joining us?" Avril asked.

"I didn't see him in the stands," Brett said, "Danny?"

"I see him tomorrow," Avril said.

"I thought I saw my dad in the stands," Brett said.

"Isn't he working today?" Avril asked.

"Yeah, that's why it's weird," Brett said.

"What's going on with you and Garvan?" Avril asked.

Brett shrugged, "I don't know; it's been weird for a while," she said.

"Could it be that they're not in the playoffs?" Avril asked.

"I wish I knew," Brett said, "I think he's thinking about after school."

"Usually, practice and work for you," Avril said.

"I think he means after high school," Brett said.

"You're going to Notre Dame," Avril said.

"Garvan will be in Wilmington," Brett said.

"That's for you to decide," Avril said.

"Yeah, it is," Brett said.

"So, where do you want to go?" Avril said.

"How about Waffle House?" Brett asked.

"Works for me," Avril said as they left the gym.