21 AAU Tournament Semi-Finals: LSB Vs RGR

*Sound Effects*

**Language**

'Thoughts'

"Dialogue"

Just like the previous week, the semi-finals of the tournament took place at the same venue. When I arrived early, I noticed that the middle court, which had been open before, was now equipped with bleachers for spectators to watch the two games scheduled for later.

I stuck to my usual pre-game routine, which involved a workout to calm my nerves. Thankfully, the jitters weren't as overwhelming as it had been in the first round, but they were still there. I used the warm-up to focus my mind on the upcoming game. I laced up my Jordan sneakers and put on my headphones, immersing myself in my music.

As time passed, my teammates started to arrive, and the gym began to fill up with spectators. It seemed like there were more people in attendance compared to the previous game, but I stayed focused and continued with my routine.

With just a few minutes left before the jump ball, Coach gathered the team for some words of inspiration and to go over the first play, which was designed for me.

The announcers called out the rosters for both teams, and today we were facing the 3rd seed Rio Grande Rattlers, a team of tall, athletic players, all easily over 6 feet. However, I didn't let their size intimidate me; I was used to facing such opponents.

With the crowd eagerly waiting, the referee's whistle signaled the players to take the court. Our team headed out, exchanging words of motivation and giving each other friendly slaps on the back. We wore our customary plain black jerseys.

The opposing team's jerseys featured a rattlesnake design. I extended my hand to the opposing point guard as a gesture of sportsmanship, but he ignored it. I sighed inwardly, thinking, 'There goes my attempt at being nice,' and turned away, focusing on the impending jump ball.

Xavier, our center, was up against their center, who matched his height. They both waited in anticipation as the ball was tossed into the air. Xavier managed to get a fingertip on it and directed it in my direction. I grabbed the ball without much trouble and began to make my way down the court.

I wanted to make a statement early on, so I dribbled up the court with a casual between-the-legs move. As I approached, we executed the play that Coach had drawn up for us. The floor was initially well-spaced, but Elijah set a screen for me as he moved over. I used the screen to gain separation, noticing that the defender tried to go over the screen quickly. I blew past him without giving him or his teammate time to switch. I sprinted toward the basket, and as I reached just beyond the free-throw line, the opposing center stepped up to defend. I faked a pass to Xavier, causing the center to bite on the fake and turn around, thinking I'd pass it. However, I pulled the ball back and finished with an easy layup off the right side of the glass.

The crowd reacted with a mix of admiration and surprise, and with that move, we drew first blood in the game.

As I hustled back down the court, I couldn't resist a light taunt, saying, "Too slow" to the point guard who had ignored my earlier handshake. I wasn't one to initiate trash talk, but his actions had given me the green light to respond.

Back on defense, I could hear some arguments brewing among the opposing team, but they quickly focused on inbounding the ball. The point guard took possession and initiated a play for their team, calling for a screen in an attempt to free up their shooting guard. Unfortunately for them, their shooting guard couldn't find the open look he wanted and ended up missing the shot by a wide margin.

I raced back up the court, scanning my teammates for options. I noticed Elijah breaking away from his defender, creating an open lane to the basket. Without hesitation, I lofted a perfect lob near the hoop, allowing Elijah to execute a powerful one-handed dunk. The crowd erupted in response to the incredible pass and thunderous dunk.

On the defensive end, we continued to extend our lead, but the enemy center made a valiant effort to keep his team in the game, scoring two baskets and bringing the score to 10-4. As the first quarter approached its halfway mark, our team's chemistry began to shine. I was able to orchestrate our plays effectively, while Marcus showcased his perimeter skills, sinking several open shots when the defenders were drawn away from him.

I, too, capitalized on the attention I was receiving from my driving and passing by taking open shots when the defender sagged off me, mistakenly thinking I was only a pass-first point guard. The game continued to be one-sided, and the first quarter concluded with a score of 22-10. The opposing team's inner turmoil seemed to escalate, leading to more arguments that hindered their performance.

Entering the second quarter, it appeared that the opposing team had regrouped and looked more organized. However, we maintained our intensity and refused to let up. Although they managed to trade buckets with us, they couldn't significantly narrow our lead.

By halftime, we were leading with a score of 38-25, showcasing our dominant performance. As I took my seat, I couldn't help but feel a sense of exhaustion, even though I had trained extensively and felt like I could play the entire game without subbing out. However, I understood the importance of thinking long-term, so after listening to Coach's advice, I decided to rest for a few minutes on the bench as we entered the second half to recharge my energy. Dylan would take over my position at point guard and try to maintain our momentum.

As the second half began, the Rattlers made a change by substituting their point guard who had been clashing with his teammates. This substitution had a positive impact on their team dynamics, and they started to make a comeback. With 8 minutes remaining in the game, I was subbed back in, and the score was now a tighter 53-47. I was determined to extend our lead and kill their momentum.

Returning to the court, I exchanged a high-five with Dylan who headed to the bench. Getting on the court I received an inbounds pass from Xay to start the play. As I advanced down the court, I noticed the new point guard's determined expression, eager to prevent us from scoring and potentially taking the lead. Seeing his enthusiasm, I decided to exploit his eagerness to get a stop by using fakes.

Dribbling the ball lower to the ground, I swiped away his attempted steal with my off hand. I then faked to the right, and he bit on the fake, shifting his hips. Seizing this opportunity, I hesitated for a moment, and as he didn't freeze up, I continued forward slightly to sell the drive before pulling back sharply. I went up for an uncontested fadeaway shot as he flew past me due to his momentum.

I watched as the ball soared through the air before gracefully swishing through the net. The crowd erupted in cheers, energized by the ankle-breaking move and the well-executed shot. Momentum swiftly swung in our favor with me on the court. The opposing team had no choice but to take my plays seriously, knowing I could pass, drive, and shoot effectively.

They attempted to double-team me when coming off screens to prevent a pass and hope for a steal. However, I skillfully analyzed the defense, maneuvering between the defenders and breaking into the paint. As Xavier's defender left him to double-team me, he found himself wide open on the way to the paint. I delivered a bounce pass to him in stride, and he effortlessly threw down a two-handed dunk, with the defenders unable to recover in time.

At this point, I sensed a palpable shift in the opponents' energy; they appeared deflated. I knew, in that moment, that the game was already over.

For the remainder of the game, we maintained our lead and cruised to victory, with the final score ending at 85-62.

Despite the seemingly anticlimactic victory, it didn't dampen our enthusiasm as we hurried back to the bench, thrilled about advancing to the finals. To mark the occasion, we decided to celebrate by going out to eat at a pizza place.

Unlike previous times, I didn't keep close track of my own points, as my focus had been entirely on the game. However, Coach diligently recorded everyone's performances and shared them with us as we enjoyed our meal.

"Dylan, even with limited playing time off the bench, managed to contribute with 4 points and 4 assists," Coach remarked.

"Elijah, you put up an impressive 15 points, along with 5 rebounds and 1 assist," he announced, earning a round of applause from everyone, and Elijah beamed with pride.

"Xavier, you secured 8 points, pulled down 11 boards, and dished out 2 assists," Coach continued, prompting a warm smile from Xavier and nods of approval from his teammates.

"Marcus, you contributed 9 points, grabbed 2 rebounds, and had 1 assist," he acknowledged. Marcus grinned in response, feeling the recognition of his efforts from both Coach and his teammates.

"Isaiah, you delivered an impressive 18 points, while also contributing 2 rebounds and 3 assists," Coach announced. The team's reactions were diverse, ranging from enthusiastic clapping to playfully nudging Isaiah's shoulder, with everyone acknowledging his outstanding performance.

"Last but certainly not least, Javi..." Coach's voice rose with excitement, "With an incredible 31 points, 1 rebound, and a remarkable 14 assists!" The entire team erupted in cheers, with some teammates giving me friendly nudges and others playfully ruffling my hair in celebration of my outstanding contribution.

Shortly after we reviewed the stats, the pizza arrived, and everyone eagerly dug in. I kept it simple with my choice, opting for pepperoni and plain cheese pizza since I wasn't a fan of black olives and other toppings. As we enjoyed our meal, I couldn't help but express my thoughts, saying, "Am I the only one who expected a bit more from the Rattlers?"

The rest of the team nodded in agreement, with Elijah chiming in, "Yeah, I thought they'd put up more of a fight than the last team," he acknowledged.

Coach joined the conversation, adding, "It's not that they were bad, but they lacked good synergy. Their egos clashed, which prevented them from showcasing their full potential." He continued, "That's why it's crucial to have a well-balanced team, not just relying on big names, because a team that looks impressive on paper can actually perform worse in reality." Everyone at the table nodded in understanding, recognizing the wisdom in Coach's words.

As we neared the end of our meal, Coach reminded us, "Don't forget, there's no tournament next week; the finals will be held in two weeks."

Each of us nodded in acknowledgment, keeping that important detail in mind.

As the day drew to a close, everyone was picked up, and I made my way back home with Coach. Upon arriving at my familiar apartment, I bid farewell to Coach before heading upstairs. I couldn't contain my excitement as I shared the details of the game with my mom. She was always there to support me, and her words of pride and encouragement meant the world to me.

After our conversation, I retreated to my room, where I took a refreshing shower. To pass the time before heading off to sleep, I indulged in some gaming. With each moment, I grew more eager for the next day, filled with anticipation and ready to face the upcoming finals.

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A/N: I hope you've been enjoying the AAU arc thus far! We're nearing the conclusion of this arc within the next few chapters, and there's an exciting new one on the horizon, where the true adventure will begin! Please feel free to share your thoughts and if you'd like to show your support, I would greatly appreciate it if you could leave a review or vote with some stones. Your feedback and engagement mean a lot to me!