Chapter 18
The day has finally come. After over a year of working out; after the first go around, the day of redemption has finally come.
The feeling has, certainly, been clear. Nothing was going to stop him. The practice and the improvement was showing and the difference between him now and him back then could be seen by everyone. The resolve that he had after the first time he tried out was going to get him clear into the next level. He had even showed up to the locker room before everyone else. He isn't nervous like he was a year prior. He is as confident as ever. He is going to make this team.
Of course, having someone on your side doesn't hurt.
"Freddie, this is it, mi amigo!" Gibby exclaims as he and Freddie stand outside of the locker room while the other prospective team members file into the locker room in preparation.
Freddie, with eyes closed, said nothing.
"Aren't you psyched!?" Gibby asks again as he smacks Freddie on his shoulder.
Freddie, again, chooses to remain silent.
"Are you okay dude?" Gibby asks growing more concerned.
Freddie opens his eyes and levels a stare at Gibby "I am ready. That is what I am."
It really was a marvel that he felt so ready. He wanted to thank his training, or his personal mental fortitude. However, he had some extra motivation, to help him be ready.
The night before, Freddie had returned to his dorm room from an ice bath after another intense gym session with Gibby. It was beginning to feel better each time. The first time was horrid. The ice cubes felt like the ones that would be in the drinks at T-bo's Shop; he thought he'd never regain the feeling in his body.
He was about to turn in and go to sleep, but then he heard his phone chime. He looked to check his messages; looking forward to Ellen's nerdy message of the day. Ever since that fight at the frat house, which was known for a time as: The Freak at the Greek, they had gotten a bit closer. They'd even gone on a couple of dates,
He saw that it was a girl, but not the one he was thinking of.
Sup Nub
Sam…. Things had gotten better after the failure that during the summer, and he felt good about their frenemy like relationship. But there is one of those times where Sam will be Sam.
Hello, demon
Ready for tomorrow?
Of Course!
He even scoffed to himself in the dorm room. Weird how much he changed. He figured that confidence could do that to a person.
You better be, Fredders.
I didn't teach you to be
pwning in practice for nothing,
you are MY apprentice! So
you better make the team.
Freddie's eyebrows rose in shock. That was as supportive as Sam had ever been of him and his goal of making the basketball team. He was about to reply when he received another message from Sam.
That way you can fail after
you make the team :)
Usually this would have angered Freddie. Or, at least, have annoyed him enough to keep him awake. However, after the summer he'd just experienced it only elicited one feeling from him. Determination. He supposed that there was maybe something else that could be gleaned from the message if he looked hard enough. However, he had a big day tomorrow.
So he simply smiled as he typed back
Yea, I got this. ;)
He now carries that same determination with him. Not just the determination to prove Sam wrong, and anyone else that doubts him, but also, the determination to not let down the people who have helped him: Rudy, Gibby, and even Sam herself..
With their hopes on his shoulders, Freddie Benson hears the call for the prospects to line up. He walks out towards the practice courts.
Freddie Benson is cool- forget cool; he is iice freaking cold. He feels like he can out practice and outsmart the competition that is in front of him to make the team. He has a better understanding of what the coaches want from him. Can you do your duties as a walk-on? CAn you be smart enough to give the coaches the effort and discipline that they want? Most importantly, are you able to go beyond that and take your game to the next level; a level that is befitting a Division I program? Freddie knows that he has what it takes to be those things; to give those things. He knows he can walk onto this team.
Freddie is used to being a guy that was in the background helping. He didn't really mind being that at all. However, he doesn't want to be just this walk-on. He wants to rise, and he senses the opportunity. Since the team is thin at the Shooting Guard position; having just the top Freshman coming in, he knows that there is a chance to get some time off the bench. To be in the game. To be the guy.
Rudy is in the stands watching once again, as Freddie was looking towards him he gave the thumbs up and Freddie responded with a quick nod and back to finish stretching.
Towards the court, tryouts started with the same layup drills. The ball was placed in his hands once again. It felt different from the last time he did this. He has more fluid movement while dribbling towards the basket. He dribbles with his right goes to the left side of the basket. Plants his left foot and releases the ball. It bounces off the backboard to the rim and...
Swish
Freddie barely got it in but it went through. It was an ugly goal, but the ugly ones count all the same.
As he goes through the lay-up drills, Rudy's words resound in his head. "Don't worry about an inside game just yet, it's about a few other things for a player that you want to be."
He hears the whistle and is told to line up for shooting drills. "The type of player that you can get on this team for is a shooter, a guy who can make jump shots from most parts of the floor, including from the three point line." It's his time to shine.
He hears Rudy's voice in his head again, "The important thing is to show good form, make sure you keep that form in different parts of the court, whether it is for three in the corner of the court, or a simple mid range jumper. Consistency is key."
Unlike Sam, Rudy was a needed voice, he knew his basketball as much as anyone and with that voice, Freddie felt the confidence rising with every well made three. From the corner to the middle, and back to the corner again, whether it was mid range or three point range, Freddie ended up making at least one three from almost every part of the court during the drill.
Up next were a few passing drills followed by sprints. Since those were more condition based than skill based, Freddie excelled in these particular drills.
Now came the final and most important part of tryouts. A series of pick up games to seven points. The games would only be split up by a little break after each game.
He hasn't had muc experience (mainly because there wasn't many pickup games in Seattle to begin with.), but due to the few games that he did participate in, he felt more and more prepared for them. Contrary to last year he just knew more. He knows how the team is supposed to move. He knows what he is supposed to be looking for; whether that be the open man or the open lane. Most importantly, he knows that if he doesn't have the ball he's supposed to be trying to be the open man.
"You're gonna make this team as a role player. Be willing to get in there and mix it up. If we need you to lock down a guy you put the clamps on his ass. If we need some points, get in there get open and light the other team up. You're not the most important player. But the game grinds to a halt without you doing your role."
From the first tip-off, Freddie was everywhere. Screens were abound and he made sure that his opponent was on the other end of them. Movement around them was swift but he was quicker, and as he felt the opponent was not keeping up he would reach the other side of these man made walls well before his defender. He was wide open and waiting for a pass from one of the walk-ons, caught the ball, and shot it.
The ball was all net.
Again, swoosh,
again, swoosh, and again,
swoosh.
The sound of the bottom of the net is turning to his favorite type of music.
His defense is solid, mainly because he is facing kids that are doing too much, and trying too hard. It's easy for Freddie to take advantage. He keeps his guys in front of him and at least has a hand up as the opposing player is shooting. His double team is in need of work, but it isn't too huge of a problem.
Lorenzo Romar is in his office watching film and evaluating the returning team members. As he is looking through a file, he receives a text from one of his assistants.
Come down to the practice
courts, you would like to see
this.
In curiosity, he goes out to the courts. He comes into the new year looking for a backup shooting guard that can be a reliable option. He needs that because his current starting shooting guard is a top freshman and with the one and done system in place the odds of keeping him are very low. So it was quite the welcome sight to see a kid out there with the toughness to fight through screen who also has the finesse to nail a step back jumper. The same kid had the crafty wit to be able to find the open spot on the court while having the bull headed stubbornness to take a charge from a guy about five inches taller and 30 lbs heavier than he is.
They call tryouts to a close and tell them that they will be notified with results in two days.
The next day Head Coach Romar and his assistants are looking over the tape of the tryouts.
"So, you guys were there. What do you think?" the coach asks.
"Well," one assistant, Terry bridges, begins, "We have a solid bunch. Really, it's a shame that out of the 15 that showed up to try out we can only take two."
"That's why they pay us so well, no?" Jokes the other assistant, Mike Richardson.
The three coaches share a laugh, "Well, one guy that sticks out a bit is that big center. James Maddison. He really clogs up the lane on defense and can really clear the boards." coach bridges assess.
"He's a bit raw though. His offense needs work. His post game is vastly underdeveloped." Coach Romar remarks while rewinding the tape.
"True but the potential is there and he wouldn't be thrown into the fire right away anyway." coach bridges replies
"Hmmm…" coach Romar nods, "What about the shooting guard? We need to fill that backup spot."
"I know it's a weird thing to say about a walk-on, but the Benson kid has potential to fill that role, and even more. He was here last year and you could say more than forgettable, but this year, besides layups of course he surprised me." Coach Richardson explains.
"Level with me here, Mike, what's his ceiling." coach bridges asks
"Well, right now defensively there's definitely room for improvement. But offensively, I'd say he's almost as consistent as J. J. Redick. He has solid abilities to shoot from multiple places in the three point arc." Richardson replies.
"but can he keep it up?" Bridges questions, in turn, "He seems like a tough kid right now against players who want to get into the game, but can he keep it up against high powered Division I players night to night?"
Richardson nods in agreement to the point, "I can certainly understand the concern, believe me, but, I heard of him from some of the Faculty as well, and he may be one of the smartest kids in the school, and knowing that will help the team big time in our G.P.A and seeing him improve like this. He has a lot more upside than he had last year," Richardson turns his attention to Coach Romar, " Think about this coach. What if he becomes J.J. somewhere else? What if, he becomes better, and we don't take him?"
Coach Bridges can only nod in agreement, "He has a great point, Remember when that Stephen Curry kid went to Davidson? We all thought he was too undersized to make it, and now he is a sensation and a lock to be a draft pick. I don't know where it will take us, but we should look into him just a bit more."
"Plus," Richardson remarks, "We need a second 2 guard and he was certainly the best one out there." Bridges nods as well.
"Well, gentlemen... " Coach Romar nods his head, "it seems we have a decision. Go ahead and make the call."
Two days after the tryouts Freddie was promptly freaking out and pacing a hole in his floor. Gibby saved him and decided to treat him to lunch. Whether it was to congratulate or console would be determined later that day.
"Well, how do ya think ya did?" Gibby asks Freddie as they sat at a table in the Husky Den waiting for their food.
"Well there was a lot less laughing and head shaking." Freddie shrugs, while staring at his phone in his hands. "So I think it went ok."
"So what happens now?" Gibby asks
"Well they say that they'll call me to let me know if I made it. So we're playing the waiting game." Freddie says never taking his eyes off of his phone which he'd set on the table.
Suddenly Freddie's phone rang and he looked at the screen and saw the number that was saved in his simply as "Coach". Freddie stared at the phone, subconsciously deciding if he should just let it ring. I mean, it's not like practices start the next day so he could totally let it go to voicemail. With a sigh Freddie relinquishes that idea. That's cowardice and tha won't do if he is to make the team. With a deep breath he reaches for his phone.
Gibby could only watch as Freddie answered the phone call that would basically determine the rest of his friend's college life.
Freddie hung up the phone and leveled a stare at Gibby.
"Well Gib, I wanna thank you. At some points you were the only person that believed in me. You've been my classmate since middle school. Youve been my friends since high school. You've been my personal trainer for almost two years now." Gibby smiled as he knew where this was going to end, "Now I'm happy to call you my teammate as well"
Gibby ripped off his shirt and launched himself to the table top. "Ladies and gentlemen!" Gibby exclaims, "It is my honor to present to you; the newest member of the University of Washington Husky collegiate basketball team. Fredward Cornelius Benson!"
"Gibby! My middle name is not Cornelius!" Freddie's protests were drowned out by the uproarious applause and numerous congratulation around the restaurant.
He didn't have the heart to really be all that annoyed at the new name that he'd been ascribed. He has finally completed step one on his path to becoming something that he could be happy with.
Freddie Benson, is now on the University of Washington Men's basketball team.
Later that day, Coach Lo calls Jerome come down to his office. Jerome figures that it's about the new additions to the team. Being team captain means that he has the honor of officially introducing the new guys to the people already on the team. It's one of those things that most captains don't like to do. However, for Jerome it was more than just a waste of time introducing a few guys who probably wouldn't even play on the team all that much, he was getting a fresh start. Training Camp was coming and hopes were high. Gibson is coming into his own as a power forward and that Benson guy is finally out of his hair for good.
He walks into the office and greets Coach Lo', "Are those the new walk-ons for the team?"
"Yes, they are" Coach hands the paper to Jerome, "The calls went out earlier today. They know where to go and what to do. All that's left is for them to meet the rest of the team." Coach Lo' began to turn back to the film that he was watching of last season's first round exit from the conference tournament.
Jerome looks down to the list to see a name that has, for some reason, become the vary bane of his existence.
BENSON, FREDWARD
Jerome's eyes stretch wide for a quick second, then a chuckle escapes his lips. "Coach, did Rudy put you up to this? I know it's not April's fools day but this" He waves the paper around. "Is a bad joke."
Coach Lo' pauses the film once again and turns around and raises his eyebrow in interest. "What do you mean? That is the list of new players that I would like for you to introduce to the team. Why would you think that it would be a prank?"
"I look at this list and see, a one Fredward Benson's name on the list." Jerome waves the paper around indignantly, "At the TOP of the list!"
"Well, the list is in alphabetical order," Coach Romar explains evenly, "Even so, he was most impressive during tryouts. We have some things to work on, but he was clearly the most impressive among a group of walk-ons."
"What?" Jerome is incredulous. The Benson he remembers was a bumbling fool; not worthy of carrying Jerome's jockstrap let alone sharing the court with him. "Wait wait wait. You're telling me that Benson, the same scrawny kid from last year who couldn't. Make. a layup; the kid that just started playing basketball a year ago, was more impressive than a group that consists of players who'd been playing basketball for years?" Rudy, Gibson, Morgan, somebody; anybody has to be playing some kind of sick joke on him.
Coach Lo' rubs his eyes in mild frustration, "Yes, he can even backup Jay Remington, our freshman starter by the end of the season adequately."
Jerome is in disbelief, "You gotta be kidding me…" Jerome thought he was quiet.
"What is your thing against Fredward?" But he wasn't quiet enough. Coach Lo' needed the leader of his team to be open to changes.
"Benson, is a waste of time! A waste of space, he will not survive and we have just given up a spot, and an important spot of shooting guard, to this unproven nobody!"
"Jerome," Coach Lo' was getting tired of this. "When did you deal with him in the capacity you're speaking of?"
"Last year. But-" Jerome answers defiantly.
"Can people change, and improve even for 'nobodys' like Fredward?" Coach Lo' reasoned.
"Yea. But-" Jerome replies more and more sheepish.
"But what?"
Jerome sagged his shoulders, sat back in the chair, and just replied by his sighs, and nothing more. It may be his team on the court but off the courts it's the coach's team and the decision made is made with the best thoughts of the team in mind. Regardless of how wrong they may be.
"Jerome, all personnel decisions are mine to make. I made you a starter last year because I felt you were talented enough to handle the load. I made you the team captain because you seemed to have the best grasp of the team. I don't lightly give that title to anyone, least of all not sophomores. I gave Fredward a spot on this team because I feel that he has the best chance to help us along the road." Coach Romar watches Jerome's demeanor and realizes that this is a chance to help a young man in need, "Jerome, you have what it takes to be a leader, to be one of the best… but if you shut out part of your team because of some personal beef you have, you're not only hurting that kid. You're hurting the rest of your team, and you're hurting yourself."
Jerome sat there in continued silence.
"I've seen the kid today and I saw him last year. Is he a little rough around the edges? Sure. But compared to last year, rough around the edges is one hell of an improvement to make in 365 days. He's got the work ethic to succeed, and a bit of talent to go along with it." Coach Romar opens a drawer in his desk and fishes out a video and tosses it to Jerome. "That's the tryout tape. Watch it and tell me there's nothing there. He's rough, but if we can apply enough pressure we can turn him into a diamond."
"I'll show him pressure." Jerome replies, again, louder than he wanted to.
"Too much pressure can turn coal into dust." Coach Lo' says as he turns around and restarts the film he was watching, "the great leaders find the right amount of pressure. I trust that you can be a good leader. Don't prove me wrong."
Jerome nods and exits the office. His mood had never changed so quickly. He had his leadership questioned and the thorn in his side had now become a permanent fixture. Plus, Diana still wouldn't return his calls.
With all this anger and frustration there was only one way to respond. He takes out his pohne and calls Rudy.
"What's up, Rome?" Rudy asks, sounding as if he's just waking up.
"I need to hit the gym." Jerome hangs up, not waiting on a response.
Rudy can only sigh and grab his gym bag. This oughta be good.
The next day, Freddie makes his way to the gym. He didn't plan to do too much heavy working out this week as he figured he'd get plenty of work in the coming years. As much as he wanted to rub his success in the face of his nemesis, he really has to thank her. He probably has to thank her most of all. After all, none of it would be possible without her.
He enters the gym just in time to hear the women's basketball coach call for an end to practice. Freddie decides to take a seat in the bleachers and wait for Sam to come out. He notices a few of the female players waving towards him. He awkwardly waves back and wonders if he'l ever get all the way used to that.
About fifteen minutes later Sam comes out of the locker room and spots him sitting in the bleachers.
Freddie descends the bleachers and stands in front of Sam. "What's up, Freddly?"
"I want to thank you, Sam." Freddie scratches the back of his head nervously, "I know that with this wager that we have it was not in your interest to help me with anything."
"Whatever, nub." Sam waves her hand dismissively, "I already told you, It's no fun if it ends so soon. plus , if I can turn you into something resembling a basketball player then I might have a future in coaching." Freddie is about to reply when Sam cuts him off, "I'm, basically, Greg Popovich."
Sam suddenly realizes what's actually being said, "Wait? You made the team!?" Freddie nods and instinctively goes in for a hug. Sam sticks out a fists and hits him in the chest, "That's sick, dude, I really am Gregg Popovich!"
"Who?" Freddie asks in genuine confusion.
Sam simply stuck out her arm and hit him in the chest a second time. "How dare you besmirch the great name of Gregg Popovich?"
Despite the lingering sting in his chest, he only smiles in return, "Anyways, this is my last week as a regular guy on campus. I meet the team next week and practice starts shortly after that."
"So did you tell Carly? She'll probably freak out." She could only imagine the astonishment on Carly's face when she hears that Fredward Benson, of all people, was part of an athletics organization.
"I told her and Gibby already. You were the last to know." Sam felt as if she'd been smacked in the face.
"What do you mean I was the last to know?" Sam asks indignantly, "That's some gratitude you're showin' there Benson."
Freddie's quirks an eyebrow in confusion, "What are you getting so bent outta shape for? You've been busy just like I've been. Like everyone's been." Besides what right did she think she have to be first in line to anything. She's done no less than root for his failure and abject humiliation.
Sam sighs in annoyance. He has a point. She has been so busy with basketball stuff and getting settled into her new major; not to mention, her budding friendship with Diana that she hasn't really had the time to torment her favorite punching bag. She'd be lying if she were to say that she was perfectly fine with things shaking out that way. She'd be lying if she said that she didn't miss the look on his face when he'd realized that she'd gotten him, yet again. Then again, she never had a problem lying to anyone.
"Whatever," She says with an annoyed tone, "I guess that makes sense. What are we doing to celebrate?" Freddie tilts his head in confusion once again, He can't remember a time where Sam wanted to celebrate anything with him, especially a thing that was about him.
"Well," Freddie feels some amount of apprehension telling this next part as well, "Ellen and I are going out to celebrate." Why should he want to spend his time with someone who, for all he knows hates him, when he can spend it with someone that likes having him around.
Sam felt a weird sinking in her stomach, "Oh… Well uh… Have fun with your little… nerd friend." she turns to exit the gym, not leaving any opportunity for Freddie to respond.
As she is walking through the foyer of the gym she unleashes a scream and punches a vending machine. A bottle of sporterade falls and she grabs it and exits the gym.
Whatever. She didn't need to celebrate anything with him anyway. This was all just a prelude to her reigning victory anyways. If anything, this would allow her to focus on other more important things. New Major, New sport, New friend, she had plenty to keep her busy. She didn't need Freddie hanging around being all loser-y. She knew the rigors of the athlete's schedule and she knew that any time spent with her friends would be very limited. She'd be lying if she were to say that she wouldn't miss him just a little bit.
Then again, she never had a problem lying to anyone.
Least of all, not herself.
