Chapter 593: Millbrook

Saturday, March 4th, Afternoon

He sat at the desk and checked the laptop. The internet connection was strong, and he was ready to start broadcasting. Scrolling through the windows to make sure all the services were ready to go. Pulling on his headset, he looked over the court to see the first of the players were coming out for warms up. He reached for his mouse and started to activate all the services.

"Good afternoon, Tree Hill; this is Trey Terthero, and welcome to Ravenshoops dot com; we're currently broadcasting from the March F Riddle Center of Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Tree Hill is coming into this game with a perfect 30-0 record, and Millbrook is 28 and 3 also with a perfect conference record," Trey said.

"We would expect nothing less for the state semi-finals game. Tree Hill is coming in with all players available, though beat up. Millbrook is not reporting any injuries as well. The players are doing warmups, and the three Tree Hill seniors are out. They talk while doing their drills and seem relaxed but focused."

The two teams did their warmups and headed back into the locker rooms. Trey looked up a second headset and waited. An older woman sat next to Trey and put on the headset.

"Tree Hill fans, I'm being joined tonight by number seven Aveline Oomen, the former Tree Hill point guard. Hello and welcome, Aveline," Trey said.

"Thank you, Trey; it's good to be back on Ravenhoops dot com," Aveline said.

"You were on before?" Trey asked.

"Yes, I was interviewed several times in my playing days," Aveline said.

"So, welcome back," Trey said, "What do you think about the current team?"

"They are a well-put-together team, more a power team than anything else," Aveline said.

"So, Aveline, what have you been doing since your time on the Ravens?" Trey asked.

"I played in college; now I'm working and coaching junior leagues," Aveline said.

"My notes say you have a personal connection with this team," Trey said.

"Yes, I was called up to the varsity team my freshman year when Faith Brown was injured. One of the captains was Mackenzie Ward, the current senior Avril Popova's aunt," Aveline said.

"So, what do you expect from today's game?" Trey asked.

"A well-played game," Aveline said.

Trey nodded. "The teams are taking the court. Let's pause for the national anthem," Trey said; after the anthem, the teams returned to the bench. Once they finished, they took the court.

"Tree Hill is taking the court with their normal starting line; that's Faye Ambrose at point guard, Baylee Miller at shooting guard, Jade Loyal at small forward, Brett Pierce-Burke at power forward, and Avril Popova at center. Big Avril Popova is lining up to take the jump ball. The ball is up, and Brett Pierce-Burke comes down with it. Tree Hill has possession and setting up their offense," Trey said.

"This is the same sets we ran when I played," Aveline said.

"What do you think of the guard play?" Trey asked.

"The starting lineup is solid in the backcourt. Faye is a good facilitator, and Baylee is a sniper-like shooter. The other three guards are good if not inexperienced, but that's how Coach Scott likes to build his teams," Aveline said.

"So, how did you end up on the varsity team as a freshman?" Trey asked.

"Faith got hurt, and they were looking to fill the spot. I was on the JV team, and Coach Scott scouted the team for a bench player; the JV Coach thought I was the best guard on the JV team," Aveline said.

"So, what're your thoughts on Millbrook?" Trey asked.

"They're a solid team, showing why they are here," Aveline said.

Trey nodded, "End of the first quarter, the score is ten all," he said, "So, Aveline, when we have past Tree Hill players on, we always ask them for a story."

"A story?" Aveline asked.

"Yes," Trey said.

"What type of story?" Aveline asked.

"Any type just has to be safe for work," Trey said.

"Well, it was late into the season, and Anna was out with a bout of something; Candi was starting by this time, and I came in to give her a breather. I brought the ball to the top of the key, and one of the opponents tripped. No problem, I pass to my player over there. Thunk the ball bounced off of my player. I'm like WTF, and I look over, my player is laughing, it seemed that not only had my opponent tripped, but her shorts fell as well," Aveline said.

"Interesting story," Trey said.

"Yeah, it was the first one I could think of," Aveline said.

"You played in a good backcourt, Brown was out, but there was Kay Scott, Burton, Gyles, Barclay, Burke, Strauss, and Taylor," Trey said.

"Cara and Monica mostly player small forward when I played with them," Aveline said.

"End of the first half, Tree Hill is leading Millbrook 23 to 15," Trey said, "So, your freshman year, you were on the bench."

"Yes, I was the number three point guard; Candi Strauss and Anna Barclay switched between each other on who was the number one point guard," Aveline said.

"So, any good memories of those days?" Trey asked.

"Many, Trey," Aveline said.

"What's one of them?" Trey asked.

"When Coach Scott brought me up from the JV, I entered the locker room, and all the girls greeted me, especially Willa Taylor. We tried out together, but she made varsity. We were the last two off the bench and got close. We were the starting backcourt our senior year," Aveline said.

"Do you regret only winning one championship?" Trey asked.

"No, not at all; many people have played this game we love. Most will never see a championship game; of those, only half will win. So, I feel blessed that I won my championship," Aveline said.

"That's an enlightened way of looking at things," Trey said.

"It's from a lifetime of reflection," Aveline said.

"End of the third quarter, Millbrook has taken the lead over Tree Hill, 29 to 28," Trey said.

"So, Aveline, what do you think will happen in the fourth quarter?" Trey asked.

Aveline looked over to the Tree Hill bench and the Millbrook bench. She looked at the Millbrook bench; she looked at Trey. "I will be watching; you're going to see some stuff," she said.

"Are you sure?" Trey asked.

"Yes, I am," Avelina said.

Trey nodded and watched one of the most dominant quarters of basketball he had ever seen. As the quarter ended, Trey looked at Avelina.

"The final four-game is in the books; the final is Tree Hill forty-seven, Millbrook thirty-one. Tree Hill is in the state championship game. I am Trey Tertho with Aveline Oomen for Raven's hoops dot com, and have a good night," Trey said