REACH FOR THE HOOPS

Chapter 1 - The Unbelievable School Finals.

"Hey Jude!" ... a voice said followed by a light knock on the window slides.

"Ahhh, not this time Dan, I'm taking a nap!" Jude replied using the pillow to cover his head.

"Ahhh, you need to Stand up, the Basketball game is starting in fifteen minutes, let's go book a seat, It's the NET HOOPERS game!" Dan Said.

"What, the Net Hoopers game?" Jude said jerking up and stepping down from the bed.

"Now you got this!" Dan laughed.

"I'll be ready in two..." Jude said running into the bathroom.

****

Jude and Dan hopped on their bicycles Paddling towards the 'DON CHARLTON' stadium.

They got there in few minutes, sweats drooling on their faces as a result the rate of speed they used in paddling the Bicycle coupling with the hot afternoon sun.

The Stadium is almost filled up.

"Looks like the Whole City Are ready to watch this match!" Dan said, marveled at the amount of people that turned up for the match!

"Why won't they? The city's biggest high school team is playing and remember, they're rivals, big time rivals at that!". Jude said, locking the Neck of his cycle.

They strolled together, heading towards the entry door, they met the security man.

" Where's your ticket?" The Middle aged man asked.

"Here it is." Dan Brought his out and showed the man.

Jude felt goosebumps on his skin as he felt nothing in his pocket.

"goddammit!" he cursed silently.

"What's that, dude?" Dan asked.

"I've forgotten the ticket, ahh let me rush down to get it, secure a seat at a clear view, Dan." Jude said, Running back towards his bicycle.

.....thud'

Jude collided with a girl coming towards the Entry gate, accompanied by other two girls and they didn't take it easy on him.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Jude said quickly trying to Pull her up.

"Hey get your wretched hands off me, fool!

you're blind?" the Girl yelled.

"That was a mistake, I'm sorry." Jude tried to explain.

"You should be careful, lad, stop being a dumb ass!" one of the girls behind said, rolling her eyes.

A security intervened and settled the dispute.

Jude got on his bicycle and paddle down the street to get his ticket back.

****

'The Crowd in the DON CHARLTON stadium today is much more that the regular crowd, seems like today's match is going to be a great One, a special one at that!' __ the first commentator said.

'Hearing the chants from the Fans of the two teams alone is giving a hot atmosphere!' __ the second commentator said.

1: 'Hellooo everybody, welcome to today's basketball match, it's one of the best match played by a high school basketball competition.'__

2: 'yeah, you're right'..

1: ' Its gonna be a Wonderful final, almost all the Citizen is here, this sure gonna be a hot moment!'

The bus for Net Hoopers team drove into the environment and the crowd went wild!

1: ' Ohhh, the feeling is sensational, the crowd has gone wild on arrival of the Number one Best high school basketball team in New york.'

2: ' This will be a wonderful match to watch and look who we've got here, Taylor Reuben!'.

the crowd went more wild when Taylor Reuben stepped out of the Bus, many were holding top jersey with his name and Number at the back, waving it in the skies.

1: ' The 'Red Bulls' Fans are somehow little quiet today, is it because Their team is yet to arrive, let's see what will happen after the Team's arrival.'

***

"Here's the Pass sir." Jude said showing the ticket to the security who let him in at once.

He looked throughout the crowd, searching for Dan.

"Hey Jude, I'm here." Dan said, waved his hands in the air to signal.

Jude walked towards where Dan was sitting and Sit beside him.

"Sorry for the stress dude." Dan said with a smirk.

"Hey, don't give the hypocritical sorry, you literally caused this!" Jude glared.

"How? you are the one who forgot the Ticket." Dan defended himself.

"Nah, you shouldn't have put me in haste" Jude said giving him a light punch.

****

[Red Bull Basketball Team]

The team are ready, ready to take off but there's a problem, Where is Jade?

The team Coach rushed in the locker room.

Beads of sweat formed on his head, his footsteps faster and strange.

The team got worried and stood up as he approached them.

"What happened coach Cole?"

"Where's Jade?"

questions rolled out towards the frustrated young man, not knowing which one to answer first, what is happening at hand is So hard to place down before the players.

He Swallowed hard, finding it difficult to break the Tragic news.

"You have to calm down, guys, there's a little problem".

He said and everywhere went dead silent.

Different thought runs through the young Teen's mind.

" Jade is in hospital!" he broke it and everywhere was tensed for a moment!

that's their key player!

"How, what happened?" A guy managed to asked.

he looks much older among them.

"He slipped on the bathroom tiles this morning, he was rushed to the hospital and I don't think he'll be available, his condition is critical." Coach cole said and weariness down on everyone in the Team.

The game is a big game against the Net Hoopers, they're the number one team in The whole of new York's high school basketball teams.

"What do we do now coach? we have no option, we have to play this final, winning this will be a stepping to the limelight for the Red Bulls Team, there are many out there for us, and Jade is the main key for all the attraction." Nicole, the eldest and the Centre player said, almost tearing down.

"I'm really devastated right now as well but we have to pull up and show it out there, we need this game." Coach Cole said trying to put the players up together.

"We all know, Jade's a real time hot shooter, we really need him in this game!" Jeremy, the Smallest of the team said, breaking down.

"We don't have choice, we need to play, let's head out." Coach Cole said and they obeyed.