We needed a win today. If we were going to win this season, it had to be against Voigt, the only other team in the league that hadn’t won. After today, we only had three games left—back-to-back away games against Rolling Hills and Lockport and the rematch against Millwood.
Yeah, we needed a win today.
“The second half of our season starts now,” Coach Acevedo said in the pregame huddle. “We’re putting that last game behind us. Rip, Maya, Keith, Alex, and Jason—you’re our starting five.” He motioned to the stage. “I know everyone’s parents are here this morning, so everyone will get plenty of action today. When we’re out there, we’re playing defense and rebounding the basketball. Don’t worry about the score.”
Don’t worry?
I was worried about the score. I wanted everyone else to worry about the score, too.
Today was our shot at a W.
* * *
On the first possession of the game, I dribbled down the left side and passed to Keith. He took a shot from the foul line extended.
Brick.
But Jason was standing under the hoop and caught the ball as if it was a pass. He put it right up and sank the layup.
“Our first lead of the season!” Red jumped onto his seat. “Our first lead! Our first lead!”
But our first lead didn’t last very long. Voigt scored the next three baskets and went ahead, 6–2.
Still, we kept the game close. Midway through the quarter, I snuck up behind their big man, stripped him of the ball, and fed Maya for a breakaway. Then in the last minute, Alex drained a jumper from the elbow.
After one, Voigt led 9–8.
At the half, they led 18–15.
“That was the best we’ve played all season,” Coach Acevedo said at halftime. “Rip, way to keep the ball moving. Maya and Keith, great hustle as usual. Alex, Mehdi, Mikey, Emily—way to be ready off the bench. Let’s keep this going!”
To start the second half, the starting five were back on the court, and we continued to play like a team. Keith and I ran a textbook give-and-go play, Maya and Jason ran a picture-perfect pick-and-roll play, and on one possession, all five of us touched the ball before we scored.
Heading into the final minutes of the third, it was a one-point game.
That’s when things fell apart.
Voigt went on a 10–0 run and opened up an eleven-point lead. We matched them basket-for-basket the rest of the way, but we could never manage to get within ten until Leslie scored her first points of the season with forty-four seconds left.
By then, it was too late.
We lost our fifth straight, 32–24.
* * *
Following the postgame handshake, Coach Acevedo led us onto the stage.
“Thank you for coming this morning,” he said to the parents. “It was super exciting having you here. You even got to see us hold our first lead of the season.”
“For like a minute,” I muttered.
“A minute’s better than nothing, Rip.” Coach Acevedo clapped. “We’re making progress. I’m super proud of each and every player on Clifton United.”
“Me, too,” Red said.
All the parents laughed. Some applauded.
“Can anyone tell me what I said in the huddle after our first game?” Coach Acevedo asked. He nodded to Red.
“‘We’re capable of holding our own in this league.’” Red hopped. “‘We will put together four good quarters, and we will win this season. I guarantee it.’” He shook his fists next to his eyes. “I mean, I didn’t say I guarantee it. You said I guarantee it, Coach Acevedo.” He covered his face.
“That’s exactly what I said, Red.” Coach Acevedo drew a circle in the air. “I guaranteed we’d win this season, and I’m not wavering. I’m saying it again right here in front of all the parents. We will win this season. I guarantee it.”
Guarantee?