Basketball continues to go well.
You know, that sport is my favorite but that hasn't always been the case. Go back like five years and I didn't even have a favorite at the time; didn't really watch any sports and my only real experience with them was during P.E. class. I had the most fun playing flag football, all that running around felt particularly good when the rest of the day was spent sitting behind a desk. And like I mentioned before, I had low stamina but I was pretty fit so a catch and a quick sprint was usually all it took to score and therefore make me one of the better players, better than average atleast because of my good height. In comparison, that athleticism helped on the court but basketball requires more skill which was something I didn't have so although it was fun, I never put it into my mind that I would be impressing anyone. But now I was actually skilled.
I don't really know what got me into basketball, I mean I could have picked anything for my goal to get that skill and for the scholarship. Maybe it was the one P.E. class that I needed in high school where we would spend a good bit of time hooping. Perhaps it's because we didn't play flag football anymore which made me realize just how slow actual football is with all the whistles and pauses between downs. Could be a bit of both or something else entirely. In the end, I started picking up on the game of basketball and even watching highlights of interesting plays and then full game highlights. In no time at all, I'd became a fan. And now, with the gamer on my side, I've become an aspiring player.
One with good prospects too. It's safe to say that I'm good at basketball now, really good. Others have complimented me so I guess there must be some truth to it. After hours of team practice, individual practice, tape sessions, and just getting feedback from the coaches, I've come really far in a short period of time. Exactly 3 and half months of practice which was not a lot after considering my teammates who have been playing it seriously for years.
It's reached the point where as long as the defender doesn't interfere with the ball or make me rush a shot, then it's guaranteed to score. And even then, Game changer skill can mitigate improper form. On my side, my stamina could play a role because although it recovers faster than other people, I can still run out and at that point my performance would drop.
Luckily for me, high school basketball games don't last long enough for that and the breaks between quarters allow me to recover what I lose. Likewise, my ability allows me to get around the human margin of error. Put the best shooter at the line and have them shoot fifty times, odds are that they'll miss some of them. Be it an unconscious shift in their muscles or something on the psychological end, that shooter is unlikely to make all fifty shots. Me however? With gamer's mind and body and a high level skill? I could make those shots in-game as long as none of the previously mentioned scenarios comes to be. I still couldn't actually do it but I will be able to do it in future. Yup, completely unfair but that's the hand I've been dealt so I make the most of it.
Rather than focus on scoring more, which I could easily do, I turned to other aspects of the game. Why alienate my teammates being a ball hog when I can instead show some range? I train up my handles, passing ability, setting up plays, and playing off the ball. I also put some emphasis on guarding because scoring while preventing the other guy from scoring is how you win games. This decision to be well rounded means I've had to spend extra hours practicing but it's all worth it. Other prospects have spent years playing on teams, going to camps, and building relationships with coaches while I'm just getting started. I'm that nobody so far and to overcome that I need to show that I'm a great player with even greater potential.
That's paid off. Coach started giving me more time on the court, and I made sure to play solid, smart basketball. No unnecessary flash, just good, fundamental team play. I wanted to be part of the main squad, not some hotshot who caused drama. And it worked—now everyone knows my name, and even the upperclassmen respect my game. Andrew and Jackson, especially, have been great. They helped me settle in, showed me the ropes, and made sure I felt like part of the crew. Coach noticed too, which is why I'm starting in today's exhibition match against a rival school.
Today's the day. There's a real crowd—parents, students, even cheerleaders from both schools. I spot my dad in the stands, which surprises me. I'd only mentioned the game offhand last night, not expecting him to show up. But there he is, waving, and I feel a surge of determination. Alex is here too, sitting with Haley. She waves, and I grin, waving back.
"That must be your girlfriend, lucky bastard," Andrew says, coming up behind me and slapping my back a little too hard. His single ass is jealous.
"Don't get distracted, boys!" Jackson calls out, rallying us for the huddle. We do our team handshake, and Coach gives us his usual one-liner of motivation. But this time, he singles me out.
"Lucas, don't lose focus even if it's overwhelming for the first time. You're a great player."
I nod, feeling the pressure but also the excitement. What Coach doesn't know is that I have Gamer's Mind, and I'm ready. I close my eyes and meditate for thirty seconds, letting the noise fade away. Meditation's been stuck at level 20 forever, but it still works wonders. I know this skill is something magical because this has never happened where a skill doesn't level up just after level 20 even after I did everything- books, audiobooks and even tried it under waterfall (I means shower).
Anyways coming back to our opponents. The other team is good—they reached the semifinals of the California youth basketball competition last year. They've got height, muscle, and a 6'7" guy who looks like he was built in a lab. He had unusually long limbs. But I'm not worried.
The whistle blows. We win the tip-off, and I get the ball. The crowd noise fades as I cross half-court. My defender is quick, but I fake left, step back, and drain a three-pointer. Swish. The crowd erupts. I jog back, feeling the energy.
Next possession, Jackson grabs a rebound and outlets to me. Their defense is tighter, but I use a quick crossover, step behind the arc, and launch another three. Nothing but net.
The opposing coach is already shouting, and their players know who to watch. The 6'7" giant switches onto me, arms spread wide. He's intimidating, but I'm not fazed. He is annoying but I use my Game Changer skill, driving right, then spinning back left, launching a floater from an impossible angle. It should not have gotten in if didn't use my skill. The ball arcs high and drops in. The crowd gasps.
Andrew slaps my hand as we run back. "Dude, you're on fire!"
The other team tries to double-team me, but I use it to my advantage. I drive, draw the defenders, then whip a no-look pass to Jackson, who lays it in. Next time down, I hit Andrew on a backdoor cut for an easy two. The chemistry is real.
Midway through the second quarter, the 6'7" guy tries to block me at the rim. I rise up, switch hands in mid-air, and finish with a reverse layup. He looks stunned. The crowd is going wild. I even hear my dad shout, "That's my son!" and, from the other side, Alex's voice: "That's my boyfriend!"
The second half, I keep pushing. I hit another three, then another. The other team is demoralized. I catch a lob from Jackson and, for the first time in a real game, dunk over the tallest guy on their team. The gym explodes. I land, adrenaline pumping, and catch Andrew's eye—he's grinning like a madman.
Now their morale was broken and they were just trying to defend with everything, not wanting to widen the gap that much but we still managed to score. By the final buzzer, the score is 71-29. I finish with 37 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds. I annihilated them. The team mobs me, and Coach just shakes his head, smiling.
After the game, my dad finds me. "Lucas, that was incredible! I'm so proud of you."
Alex runs up, throwing her arms around me. "You were amazing!."
Even Haley gives me a thumbs-up. "Not bad, superstar."
Andrew and Jackson slap me on the back, and the whole team heads to the locker room, buzzing with excitement. Debbie, now in her cheer uniform, gives me a high five. "Didn't know , you were that good Lucas!"
I just grin, soaking it all in.
Basketball definitely continues to go well for me.
__________________________
Power stones please.
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