Sorry for the long hiatus! Hope you guys like this chapter! Please, PLEASE, leave reviews! They are crazy helpful.

CHAPTER 8

As the basketball season progressed, something strange happened. They kept winning. It was almost insane how good they were doing. They hadn't lost a single game. They had won their league with ease and had moved on into the district championships tournament. Everyone treated these players like celebrities, which Snart detested. The tournament was harder, but they still managed to win their games. A decisive win against Opal City lead the Hawks into the championship game. Where their opponent would be none other than the Keystone High Killer Crows. The team Wally would have played for, the team many of his old teammates did. The Championship was on Friday, that left four days of practice before the big game. "Take five!" Dig said as the sweaty basketball players jogged to the bench. They gulped down water and recuperated for more practice.

"So Snart," James said, still panting. "I saw you talking to Sara the other day," he smiled. Snart looked slightly flustered.

"Yup," Snart said simply taking another drink of water.

"Good for you man, I'm surprised Laurel hasn't threatened you yet," James said laughing a little.

"Who says she hasn't?" Snart smirked. James laughed and patted him on the back. Wally frowned slightly. He had developed what amounted to be a small schoolboy crush on Sara. But what could he do? He convinced himself that he still may have a chance with her, although he didn't plan on making a move anytime soon.

"Alright, back on the court!" Dig called. They continued their practice.

It felt like a long week for the team. It was hard for them to focus on anything but the fast approaching championship game. Half the school would be there at least and countless others as well. They would be playing at the Army College stadium up the road. A huge court that would be packed with excited people ready to see an exciting game. It was easy to see how Professor Wells' science test could seem unimportant. The Practices on Tuesday and Wednesday were just as draining as Monday's. But on Thursday, Dig let the team off easy in order to rest up for the big game. He wanted to win this just as bad as everyone else, maybe even more.

Wally was nervous to play Keystone. He was nervous to face the life he had left behind. Wally had loved it in Keystone, but he had fallen in with some rough people. Even in middle school, Wally tagged along with people who would drag race, and get into all sorts of trouble. He was a little afraid to see them after leaving. Some of these people were nice at heart, and Wally knew he shouldn't be afraid. But some took loyalty a little too seriously leaving Wally concerned.

...

It was Friday just mere hours before the game. Ridgemont had just arrived at the stadium. "Woah," Jax muttered to himself as they walked into the locker room. They got dressed and ready to go.

"Let's warm up guys!" Dig said clapping his hands. The energy was high. Everyone was ready to show Keystone what they were all about. They were ready to win. Their warmups were tight. Everyone was focused and not making mistakes. They looked professional. When they went back into the locker room they were pumped up.

"Hey, Wally! Go grab some athletic tape from down the hall!" James said. Wally nodded and left the locker room. He took a second to admire the facility he got to play in. When he turned the corner, however, he was met with an obstacle he was hoping not to face. His eyes went big.

"West," said a tall kid wearing a Keystone uniform. It was Alex Petrov, one of the scariest people Wally knew. He had four older kids standing behind him dressed in street clothes. Wally's heart was beating out of his chest. "Looks like someone needs to be taught some loyalty, huh guys," Alex said, the people behind him laughed and nodded.

"Look Alex…" Wally tried to reason but Alex seemed to be determined. As Alex walked closer, Wally tried to back up. He turned to run but someone was behind him. "Alex please," Wally was scared for his life. Alex punched him clean across the face. Wally fell. Alex pulled him back up and punched him in the gut. Wally hit the floor again. Alex's gang closed in and began to put a beating on Wally. They kicked him on the ground. Wally's vision was blurry, but he saw them grab a pipe or a crowbar maybe. He feared genuinely for his life. Just then he heard a voice from around the corner.

"Hey Wally, what's taking so long?" James walked around the corner to see Alex ready to break Wally's ribs with a crowbar. "HEY!" James yelled. Alex and his friends ran away. "Oh my gosh Wally! Are you okay?" James ran to Wally's side and helped him up.

"Yeah," Wally winced "I'm good, I can play," They walked back to the locker room. Everyone gasped as Wally walked in. "I'm okay, I'm okay!" He said. It looked like just some bruises on his face. He could walk fine. Eddie brought some ice to Wally as he explained what had happened. It only made the team want to win more.

…

As the team ran out of the Locker Room they were met with chants and cheers. They huddled up.

"We know we can win, we know we can beat this team," Dig said. "We need to go in there strong, playing our best. We need to show those Keystone kids who beat up Wally, who's really boss!" He added. "Now let's go play like we have all year! Wally lead us out!" Wally stepped of the middle of the circle.

"Hawks on three, Hawks on three!" Wally yelled. "One. two, three..."

"HAWKS!" The whole team shouted and the stands roared. Wally's black eye was getting looks, but he couldn't feel a thing. All he felt was adrenaline, and the desire to cross up Alex Petrov. James lined up for the jump ball. The game was about to begin. James couldn't believe the size of the opposing center, he looked big, strong, and athletic.

The huge center won the tip and immediately after ran to the hoop and caught an unbelievable alley-oop dunk that made everyone on Ridgemont pause and admires this stunning play. Then, James inbounded the ball to Snart who dribbled up the court only to pass it to Wally in the corner. Wally did a hard jab step that got Petrov leaning so Wally dribbled up the baseline and finished with a smooth finger roll layup. The game seemed well matched, Keystone ran plays to get Petrov open while Ridgemont made consistent baskets in the paint with a variety of players. In the closing moments of the first half Keystone had the ball but the game was tied. Petrov got the ball and used a nice move to get by Eddie and then Wally committed a hard foul on Alex giving him 2 free throws. But after Wally fouled Alex, there was a little pushing contest between them that the referees had to break up. After this Petrov made the 2 free throws with ease. The crowd was counting down the seconds left in the half when Snart banked a shot from a few feet behind half court. This was not a rare thing for Snart as he just had a knack for shooting the basketball. After Snart made the shot Wally ran up to a small group of Keystone players and said "You're going to have to try a little harder to take me out of the game," he ran back to his team and gave some high fives. Keystone's center started to move at Wally, but Petrov signaled for him to stand down.

The Hawks went into the locker room feeling good. Momentum was on their side. Confidence was on their side. Wally could feel his heart beating. This game was within grasp. Dig walked to the front of the team. "We're doing great out there," he paused looking at the determined faces of his team. "We're up by one," he paused again. The team was waiting on his every word. "Now usually I would tell you to keep doing what you're doing and to not get cocky," Dig said. "But today I want you guys to push even harder. Not to just beat them out there, but embarrass them. They are going to be frustrated, and start to make mistakes. And we are going to take advantage of every mistake they make. Now let's go dominate!" The team cheered and put their hand in.

"One, two, three, DOMINATE!" the team said in unison. They charged out of the locker room onto the court. Jax and Eddie ran along the sideline gesturing for the crowd to cheer. The Killer Crows ran out. They looked tired. Wally was ready to make them regret every choice they had ever made.

Wally takes over the third quarter, as he scores on a variety of post moves. Then after coming off a hard pick, Ridgemont got the matchup they wanted. Petrov vs. West. Wally hits Petrov with a hesitation move, giving him a contested layup which he misses. This gives Keystone the momentum they needed. Petrov carries Keystone by clamping up on defense and showing off his shot on offense, but it was a whole different story when the fourth quarter came around. Keystone was leading by four going into the final quarter. Everyone knew that when the fourth quarter came around, Snart was at his best. Sure, he played just as strong as the rest of his team throughout the game. But when they entered the fourth quarter, Snart came out to win. Snart sprinted up the court to start the quarter. But then stops on a dime and does a pullback dribble that broke his defender's ankles. Then Snart throws a hard pass to the slashing James who finishes with the hard alley-oop dunk. Petrov embarrassed by the lacking skill of his teammates, then hits a three. Snart eagerly matches with a three of his own. The game stayed close. Jax wasn't having his best game, but delivered with a clutch steal and throws a long pass to Eddie down the court who finishes with a reverse layin. Eddie and Jax high-fived as they felt the momentum begin to shift. The game stayed tied with only thirty seconds remaining. Keystone's biggest player was handling the ball when Jax made another amazing steal. He passed the ball to Eddie who was once again open down the court. But Eddie got the ball stolen quickly by Petrov and Petrov had an open lane to the winning basket. However, Eddie didn't dwell on his error and hustled down to make an athletic chase down block, sending the game into overtime.

As the buzzer sounded, signaling the start of overtime Keystone won the jump ball. But the Hawks defense was unbreakable and Keystone couldn't score. Unfortunately, Keystone's defense was also at the top of their game. Both team's shooters were tired and the quarter remained scoreless until the final seconds. On the verge of entering a double overtime, Ridgemont called a timeout. As Diggle rallied the spirits of his team, they began to formulate the perfect play. "Eddie, Jax, You guys are setting screens. Snart, you're going over them. Wally feed the ball to Snart at the top of the key. And James fake a call for the ball in the post," Diggle paused. "I'm so proud of you boys, and win or lose, I will always be proud of you," he said. "Now let's go win a championship!" The Hawks put their hands in one last time.

The referee blew his whistle and they began to execute their perfect play. Wally feed the ball perfectly to Snart, and Snart went to shoot. He splashed the three right in Petrov's face. The buzzer sounded just after the entire crowd heard the swoosh of the net. The crowd burst into a thunderous applause! Everyone charged Snart and wrapped him up in a hug. The Hawks had won!