Part XV
Halftime. The teams were in their locker rooms listening to their coaches. The Sparks didn't have to listen too hard. Jill was practically yelling at them.
"We are the number one seed coming into this game. And you're letting them rout us with 20 points!" Jill raised her arms angrily kicking a few chairs a long the way.
The starting line-up has been unproductive. The bench players she slipped in didn't work as well either.
Alex just sat there and listened. She wasn't at fault. She wasn't fielded in the whole two quarters. While waiting for her turn, Alex watched the two teams go against each other on court. Always the keen observer, she knew right away what the problem was.
A routine play for the Sparks was letting Cathy hold the ball. It was part of each play since the girl was the league's MVP, thus becoming the team's prime option. The shooting guard, Kath, should come around and penetrate inside. Cathy has two options now. It was either to post up and shoot the ball, or pass it to the cutting shooting guard. This is where the team's problem lies.
Cathy would hold on to the ball far too long causing the opponents defense to collapse onto her. Meanwhile, Kath would just stare at her and would not penetrate, thinking Cathy could still jump up for a shot. End results for this scenario are often times turnovers. They were lucky Juvy was in the zone. Her three-pointers were keeping the opponent's lead manageable.
"I'm starting a new five next quarter." Jill took a chalk and began writing the names of those who will start the third quarter.
To everyone's surprise, Alex was starting the quarter off. On the other hand, Cathy was seeing the bench for the first time.
As Jill started to map out the plays, Cathy stood up and began to speak.
"Coach you have to be kidding me. You're fielding in an ice cold rookie?" The MVP found the move a little bit offensive.
"Do you think I'm kidding? I've had enough of your turnovers. You haven't been running my plays effectively." Jill replied pointing the chalk at her so called star.
"But she's the MVP coach. You can't just take her out of the line up." Kath cut in, feeling utterly pissed being taken of the line up as well.
"Watch me." Jill replied glaring at her players.
Alex took the exchange as a challenge. She looked calm and cool, holding on to the band on her elbow.
"Watch me burn their asses off honey. And it's all for you." Alex thought to herself, smiling.
----
"Why are they like that? Why didn't they field Alex in? I mean… Alex could have shot a few to lower that damn deficit." Summer exclaimed standing up while she raised her arms.
Jodie pulled her down and hugged her by the waist.
"We still have a few more minutes to go. No biggie. I'm sure she'll play." Jodie mumbled in Summer's shoulder, while the rest of the girls nodded in agreement.
"You alright? You seem quiet…" Beth asked turning to Bianca who sipped her drink.
The other girl nodded and leaned in to peck her lips. They smile and turned when the buzzer sounded.
"Third quarter girls. Let's cheer." Marissa chirped hoping to see her blonde girlfriend play.
The crowd stood up and clapped their hands to encourage their team.
Coming out of the dugout, Cathy let the other players stay while Alex and the coaching staff started to walk off.
"Don't pass her the ball…" Cathy whispered, receiving a nod from the rest of the team except her girlfriend.
The girls walked off, leaving Cathy and Juvy to argue.
"Why would you ask that from them? This is a team. We're supposed to help each other." Juvy asked angrily.
"I don't care if we lose now. Just as long as Alex Cohen shimmers away from the limelight. She's all hype."
"She's not!" Juvy defended.
"She is. And We'll show them why. Don't pass her the ball. Or else…" Cathy warned walking off to court.
"Just because… HMPH!" Juvy said to herself feeling completely helpless.
ANNOUNCER: Alright folks. This is the half you've been waiting for. The moment of truth! The Sparks need to make some runs this quarter or the Comets will certainly bury them to the grave. What's this? This is not our starting line-up. Where's Catherine Dunn?" This is a surprise… Ladies and gentlemen, we're about to see the prized rookie, Alex Cohen. You heard me folks. ALEX COHEN!
Marissa stood up and yelled out Alex's name when she saw her in the middle of the court. Alex turned and gave her a wink. Marissa sat down praying Alex would not hurt herself. Worried and at the same time proud, Marissa yelled out again.
"GOOOOOO SPARKSSSS!"
----
Five minutes have gone by and the Sparks were still down by 20. Alex barely touched the ball, much to her frustration. Marissa could see her facial expressions and was beginning to worry.
"What are you doing? PASS HER THE GOD DAMN BALL!" Summer yelled out causing some of the Spark's players to turn to her.
"Sorry…" Summer turned around and blushed.
Cathy was of course satisfied with the results. She grinned and watched Alex Cohen frustrate herself.
Alex rubbed the back of her head as a play commenced for the Sparks.
"I won't be able to help if they refuse to let me…" Alex whispered to herself.
She looked at Juvy who was beginning to signal a new play. An idea formed in her head. She ran towards their point guard, absolutely stunning the team and the rest of the crowd.
ANNOUNCER: Juvy Yap is now signaling a play. But wait. WHAT IS ALEX COHEN DOING? She just… STOLE THE BALL FROM HER TEAM MATE!
Everybody's mouth was agape when Alex took the ball from Juvy. She scanned for and opening and found one. Penetrating amidst the Comet's frontline, laying up using her left hand.
SWISH!
ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen. Alex Cohen has just scored her first two points for her rookie season by a… Steal from Juvy Yap. Her TEAM MATE!
The crowd yelled, making Alex smile. She saw Marissa, Summer and Bianca stand up, yelling out her name. Alex felt really good.
-----
The buzzer sounded, and the Sparks were now trailing by 10 points at the end of the third quarter. Alex scored 15 of her points by intercepting passes of her team mates and off Juvy. Something, Jill found pretty odd. Cathy wasn't fielded in the entire third quarter, making her fume in anger. Alex slowly bringing the team back wasn't helping either.
The fourth quarter buzzer sounded and the players made their way to the court. Cathy was still not fielded much to her annoyance. Juvy called in the other four players on center court before the final quarter started.
"We have to trust each other if we're going to win this. You have to trust Alex too…" Juvy pleaded to other three players around her.
She wanted to win. It was always Juvy's priority.
"Why should we trust the newbie?" One of them replied giving Alex a stern look.
Alex game face showed, utterly serious and ready for war. Her eyes were on fire, making Juvy grin.
"God she's sooooo hot!" She thought to herself biting her lip.
"Because you can." Alex simply replied before turning around.
"Give me two solid picks on the three point line. I'll make sure it's worth it." Alex added looking over her shoulder then walked away.
"You heard the new girl. Let's give her solid picks." The center Luisa said, clapping her hands.
And so was the play. Two picks near the three point line. It was simple. Well, Alex Cohen made it simple.
----
"They're passing her the ball COOP! They're passing her the ball!" Summer giggled raising her hands in the air.
Marissa stood up and watched Alex drain one three pointer after another. The two picks they have set were doing wonders. In a three minute span, a swish ravaged the net. Alex Cohen just gave the Sparks a two point lead. The crowd roared and cheered.
ANNOUNCER: Well you folks at home are missing a lot by just watching on your TV screens. CALL OUT THE BOYS AND GIRLS because ALEX COHEN just made this match BALL GAME!
----
Three minutes left on the final quarter and the Sparks had a 15-point cushion thanks to Alex and Juvy.
By the time the Comets realized it would be an Alex Cohen show, the defense focused on stopping the blonde shooter. Little did they think, Alex was also a natural point guard, passing the ball to her team mates right on time. It caused more problems. Juvy was still hot from the field, and Luisa was dunking her way over the rest of the Comets frontline. At this rate, the Sparks weren't going to lose.
Cathy watched as Alex weaved her way inside and laying up the ball. She felt anger flush through her system as Alex scored her 28th point. Surpassing Cathy's current season high. She shot daggers on the girl, angrily rubbing her knee as Juvy gave the blonde a pat on the back for a nice assist. Much to her complete annoyance, the rest of the team seemed mesmerized by Alex Cohen. She wasn't only a talented player, she was also a team player. A team player? It was something Catherine Dunn had to work on.
The final buzzer sounded. The Sparks win by 15 points. Alex smiled and was given a hug by the players and the coaching staff. She was mobbed by reporters, asking for and interview. All she could do was smile. But then, Alex Cohen remembered someone. Amidst the crowd she scanned for someone's face. She smiled big when she met her green eyes.
Marissa Cooper.