Part XXXX
She dribbled the ball slowly as she scanned the court. If their team was to win this game, the seconds should be used productively.
"Come on now. Let's show them what we're really made of!" Alex yelled earning a nod from her teammates.
Cathy was right in front of her grinning from ear to ear. She just shrugged her shoulders then passed the ball to Juvy. Alex stood as the other woman made the play. She was a decoy so all she had to do was run.
One fake then another, Alex Cohen outran Catherine Dunn and was now under the basket. All eyes turned to her with this move causing Luisa to gain a free lane for a lay-up.
What a ploy folks! It looks like the Sparks got the better of the Liberties that time. Using the best player as a decoy really fixed the job. Let's see if they'll adjust.
Cathy passed the ball and was now in play once more. Once on their part of the court, she set up for a post-move. She was taller than Alex. She should be able to power her way over the Cohen star.
One shove, one elbow, she was home free to bank a shot. She found Alex on the floor and shot her an evil grin.
That's got to hurt folks. That's got to hurt. But as you can see the referees are letting the girls play. Don't throw anything on the court now.
The blonde just shook her head and whispered something to her teammate as they took the ball down the Sparks side of the court.
She knew what was going to happen.
Luisa set herself up. And two more Sparks stood firmly above three positions just below the three-point line. Juvy controlled the ball and watched the rest move.
Cathy knows this too well and ran after Alex Cohen as fast as she could. She tried to take the bodies that came screening the blonde away from her. She tried pushing hoping no call was going to be whistled on. By the time she got to the blonde, she was already up and letting out the three-point shot.
There you go folks! It's a three for Alex Cohen! And the Sparks gain the lead!
Marissa watched in the sidelines with a smile in her eyes. People were now on their feet cheering for the team. On one side of the court she saw young girls putting up a streamer.
Alex Cohen, you're my American idol!
She smiled and clapped her hands with the crowd to the tune of we will rock you. Alex Cohen has become a phenomenon and she had little publicity to do about it. After all, Summer was busy with her baby or babies. Thoughtfully, Marissa watched Alex drain another shot. Maybe someday they could adopt a child or she could carry one for Alex.
There was a sudden timeout by New York when the lead came up to 10. Those ten big points were scored by Alex Cohen for a span of 4 minutes. This was considering she just got to the floor and Catherine Dunn was doing everything she can to guard her.
"She's going to go after me after the timeout." Alex mentioned suddenly as Jill made a play.
"What do you think we should do then?" The coach asked hoping for inputs from her star.
Yes, she was the coach but she wasn't the one playing the game. Her players knew better how to solve a problem practically. She can draw plays but experience helps when things like this arise.
"Let Inna take the primary. I'll move around to take secondary. I don't think they'll expect Inna to take it strong. They would think I would take charge of the game." The blonde replied giving Miss Van Stein a pat on the back.
"You're kidding right? What about the much touted rivalry between you and Cathy?" Inna asked but loving the fact she'll be the primary option on offense.
"Rivalries don't win games. Scores do. And we all can score. We just have to be on our sweet spots." Alex replied but earned a cheeky grin from her teammate.
"I know your sweet spot." Inna retorted earning a slap at the side of the head from Jill.
"Enough with the jokes Van Stein. Now let's get a moving!"
The buzzer sounded and the game continued on. The Sparks led as much as 15 before the half and as usual, Catherine Dunn was hogging the ball to the delight of the Sparks fans.
Marissa watched and grew concerned about how the New York player would barrel her way through Alex. The blonde was good at defending. She was a witness to how Alex dismantled a much taller Luke back in college. But why was she falling down on the faller.
It was getting physical between them.
Marissa thought to herself. Suddenly she didn't feel like clapping anymore. Worry written all over her face.
----
"Did you see that?" Jodie exclaimed abruptly standing up.
Summer tried to calm her but the beating Alex was getting was beyond comprehension.
"That bitch is getting away with every flagrant foul and Alex isn't doing anything about it!"
Summer shook her head. But she was in agreement. There was nothing they could do to help their friend. They could only pray she survives without major injuries.
----
Juvy gave Alex a glance. It was only a minute before halftime and the coach decided to take them out to preserve them from fouling out. Their team was only up by five points now. Catherine had done her best to shoot, block and steal balls for New York.
She didn't really look to make assists.
"You have to keep your guard up or at least keep your distance. She's going to hurt you more." Juvy said to Alex who was watching the game attentively.
"I'll do my part, you do your part. I know what I got into. So don't worry." Alex replied without looking at her teammate.
"All right. Just be sure you have enough gas till crunch time." Juvy smiled though extremely worried.
When the going gets tough, Juvy Yap knew her ex-girlfriend would result to more physicality and it won't save Alex Cohen's body for further pain. She also knows her teammate wouldn't take that as an obstacle. The blonde was here to win. And win they shall.
Juvy clenched her fists and turned to her teammates who made the last heave before halftime.
Alex Cohen doesn't need adversity now. She needs all the support she can get.
And she shall get it.
Great game folks. Great game. After two quarters of basketball. The Sparks lead only by two. We enter halftime and we all hope you do everything before the third quarter begins. This battle is going to be head to head folks. And it might turn bloody.