Chapter 97: Boy's Locker Room
Tuesday, January 3rd, Evening
Game time was quickly approaching and the boys were already in the locker room. Slowly, the banter would turn to the game and turn serious. Uniforms were being changed.
Jackin took a seat in front of his locker and looked around. In half a breath, he kicked off his shoes and started getting his stuff out for the game. Looking around he felt out of place. He was one of the younger players and didn't seem to fit in.
"What's on your mind, Jack?" Wade, one of his closest friends, said, as he took his place next to him at his locker.
"Wondering if I'm going to play tonight," Jackin said, as he changed into his uniform shorts.
"I don't see why not, you practiced well during what practices we had," Wade said.
Jackin nodded, "Thanks," he said and pulled on his jersey. He looked down at his number 35, a respectable number, but not one associated with prime time.
Wade smiled; he was in his jersey now. Wade was number 40. "You'll get on the court tonight," he said.
"Of course, he will, we're playing Masonbourgh, everyone will get minutes tonight," Keir, another lifelong friend, said, from the other side of Jackin.
"Of course," Wade echoed.
"More importantly, Jack, did you talk to her?" Keir asked.
"I started to make my approach," Jackin said.
"In other words, no," Keir said, "You better move in or someone will get there before you."
"Well I sort of got blocked," Jackin said.
Wade shook his head, "Sounds like an excuse to me," he said.
Keir laughed, "Jack, excuses are like assholes, everyone has one and they all stink," he said.
"Great insight Mister Hammel," Coach Brenton Frost said as he walked past.
"Thanks, Coach," Keir said.
"You can also include your play on the court with what stinks," The Coach said.
"Ye Coach," Keir said.
"If I were you, Mister Hammel, I would focus on the basketball and not someone's posterior," The Coach said.
"Yes Coach," Keir said.
"Now finish getting ready," The Coach said.
"Yes Coach," Keir said.
Jackin shook his head as The Coach returned to his office. Keir sighed.
"Keep it down, Keir," Wade said.
"Whatever, he's not going to stop me from helping Jack get to the promised land," Keir said.
"Not funny, Keir," Jackin said.
"Neither is being denied," Keir said.
"He has a point," Wade said.
Jackin rolled his eyes, "Yeah, well I'm going to try," he said.
Wade shook his head, "Yoda?" he said, looking at Keir.
"Yeah, Yoda," Keir said.
"Yoda?" Jackin asked.
"Do or do not, there is no try," Keir said.
"Well, I'll get to it," Jackin said.
"You better," Keir said, "Or I might move in."
"You better not," Jackin said.
"So, nut up or shut up," Keir said.
"Just because its rhymes don't make that a good catchphrase," Jackin said.
Wade laughed, but before he or Jackin could respond, the door to the Coach's Office opened and the coach walked out. The Coach looked them all over. He slammed down the clipboard he carried on a nearby surface.
"I'm sorry if I interrupted the gossip, but we have a basketball game to play tonight," The Coach said, "Is that right?"
"Yes, Coach!" The basketball team answered.
"Good! Now this is Masonbourgh, and I'm not expecting them to be tough opponents, but I don't want Y'all to play down to them," The Coach said, "Also I really hate to lose to Masonbourgh. What I want to see from the first player on the team to the last player off the bench is everyone's best effort. For those who are wondering, I'll know if you are giving your best effort."
The twelve young men of the basketball team nodded. The Coach looked at his assistant coach and then looked back at the team, "Alright, let's get out there and warm up!" The Coach said.
The team got up and left the locker room. Coach Frost followed behind as they came out to the gym. Jackin looked around as he ran out, and the hometown crowd was cheering them on.
Jackin took his spot to work on his pre-game warm-ups. Looking around he saw the cheerleaders were out and getting ready. He kept his eye on them studying this one girl when Keir whacked him on the back of the head.
"Wake up, Jack, almost your turn," Keir said.
"Thanks," Jackin said.
"Anyways, Jack, the basketballs are the only balls you should be worried about right now," Keir said.
"Really now?" Jackin asked, "How do you come off saying that?"
"We're on the basketball court now," Keir said.
"You're starting to sound like Coach," Jackin said.
"Well Coach is right," Keir said and took his turn at the drill.
Jackin nodded and took his spot for the next drill. Wade shook his head.
"Are you going to talk to her?" he asked.
Jackin nodded, "Yes, I am," he said.
"You better," Wade said.
They started the next drill. When they finished, The Coach blew the whistle and called them back into the locker room, and time for last-minute preparations for the game.
