CHAPTER 57
"HIGH-PACE BATTLE: THE UNSTOPPABLE FORCE VS THE IMMOVABLE OBJECT"
The whistle blew, and the ball was tossed into the air, its ascent marking the start of the much-anticiipated match. As the ball reached its peak, Victoria tapped the ball to Fisayo, who swiftly passed it to Feranmi as she sprinted towards the hoop for an early fast break. Just as Feranmi leaped to score the first points, Shalon expertly blocked the shot, with Mercy grabbing the rebound and passing it to Tosin
Victoria, having halted Tosin's advance, stood like an immovable wall between Tosin and the basket, her defensive prowess on full display. "The game has only just begun. Shouldn't you be taking it easy, Tosin?" she taunted, a sinister grin spread across her face
Tosin, her determination undiminished, responded with a confident smirk, "Heh, right back at you, Victoria!"
"Tosin is going one on one against Victoria!" Spectator 1 said
"Go for it, girl!" Spectator 2 chimed in
As the spectators buzzed with excitement, Eshe analyzed the situation on the court, recognizing the unusual strategy employed by the Queens. "That's a significant space in the paint," she observed, her mind quickly dissecting the purpose of this Isolation play, "Isolation, huh? Isolation is a situation where one offensive player is separated from his/her teammates and matched one-on-one against a defender. This strategy aims to exploit a mismatch or create scoring opportunities by isolating the ball handler against a weaker defender. However, isolating one offensive player against a defender like Victoria is suicidal. What are the Queens thinking?"
Back on the court, Tosin bounced rhythmically in front of Victoria,
"Oh? Do you honestly believe this technique will work against me?" Victoria taunted
Unperturbed by Victoria's taunts, Tosin continued her rhythmic ball bouncing, "Nah, we will make it work!" she declared, her confidence unwavering
Victoria's demeanor shifted, her resolve strengthening in the face of Tosin's bold assertion. As Tosin attempted to beat Victoria with her speed and finesse, the crowd held their breath. In a stunning display of skill, Tosin managed to dribble the ball between Victoria's legs, leaving her in the dust as she charged toward the basket
Eshe's eyes widened in shock, the sight of someone outside the Victorious Varsity overcoming Victoria's defense is nearly incomprehensible. Tosin leaped into the air, aiming to score the first points of the game. Victoria, however, caught up instantly, in an attempt to thwart Tosin's attack.
Mrs. Parker watched from the stands, her pride evident in her words, "Sorry, Victioria, but that's not your domain anymore"
Tosin chuckled, her anticipation of Victoria's moves evident in her tone, "I thought you might try that," executing a graceful teardrop shot, the ball sailed through the air and landed in a perfect arc, ultimately dropping into the hoop to the sound of roaring cheers from the Queens' supporters
As the Queens exchanged triumphant high-fives, Eshe couldn't help but marvel at Tosin's abilities. "I can't believe that there is someone other than the Victorious Varsity members capable of breaching Victoria's defense. Tosin, you're truly something else"
Fisayo, Victoria's teammate, couldn't deny Tosin's skill, "I can't believe she beat Victoria! She is really good!"
Victoria, her competitive spirit ignited, chuckled and acknowledged Tosin's improvement. "She's gotten stronger, which means I need to get serious too"
The fierce battle between the Queens and Rose Newton High School Female Basketball Team continued to captivate the spectators, as both teams fought tirelessly for control of the court. Fisayo, aiming to leverage Victoria's defensive strength, led the charge for Rose Newto High School. However, her advance was impeded by the unwavering Oluchi, who assumed a resolute defense stance to protect her team's territory
"Bring it on, Fisayo!" Oluchi declared, her expression a mix of determination and focus
"Hmm. Alright you asked for it," Fisayo replied
With determination etched on her face, Fisayo hurled the ball high into the paint, where Victoria soared to receive it
Eno, determined to stop Victoria, leaped alongside her in a valiant attempt to stop her attack. Despite Eno's best efforts, Victoria triumphantly slammed the ball into the hoop while backing the hoop and Eno, displaying her unparalleled strength and expertise
"All we have to do is simply pass the ball. After all, Victoria is our center," Fisayo declare, affirming Victoria's commanding presence on the court
From her vintage point on the sidelines, Eshe couldn't help but marvel at Victoria's seemingly unbeatable defense. "Whoever beats that monster other than members of the Victorious Varsity, deserves an award," she said
The Queens regained possession with Oluchi spearheading their offensive efforts. Fisayo, undeterred, stood her ground and effectively halted Oluchi's advance.
"Now, what's your next move, Queens?" Fisayo questioned, putting on a defiant smirk
On the bench, Mrs. Lawal, deep in thought, metoiculously analysed their game plan, acknowledging Victoria's nearly impregnable defense while recognizing the substle vulnerability hidden within
"Victoria is a wall. She's just too good. It's almost impossible to beat her defense. However, remember the old adage – even the strongest walls have cracks," Mrs. Lawal mused her voice, steady and assured. "Victoria has a little weakness. Though, her weakness may appear insignificant because, not every team can exploit it. You need a certain factor to make it work"
Back on the court, Oluchi launched the ball into the paint, aiming high above Eno's reach.
Fisayo, amused by the apparently ill-conceived passs, let out a cackle of derision, "Who was that pass for?" she said
However, Tosin, ever vigilant, recognized the opportunity and sprang into action, her unmatched athleticism and speed propelling her forward. She leaped gracefully into the air, her head rising high above the hoop as Isioma stared in awe and admiration of the remarkable display of raw talent
Determined not to be bested, Victoria jumped to stop Tosin's attack. Tosin, anticipating Victoria's move, allowed a small, satisfied smile to grace her lips. "I knew you might try that," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the din of the crowd.
With impaccable timing, Tosin passed the ball to Eno, who forcefully slammed it into the hoop for an exhilarating alley-oop slam dunk. The spectators roared their approval, their thunderous applause nearly drowning out the sound of Tosin and Eno's passionate high-fives as they celebrated their successful team work and unwavering determination
"We have the luxury of passing the ball as high as we please because our power forward and Captain, Tosin is the highest female jumper in the entire country!" Oluchi retorted as a response to Fisayo's earlier mockery of her pass
Mrs. Lawal let out a small smile, "Victoria's body is huge. She's tall, her arms and legs are long too. However, even the almighty Victoria has to jump to block Tosin's shots, both long range and short range," she explained, her eyes never leaving the court, "When Victoria jumps, her next move is delayed until she lands. That's the one chick in her armor – the lone vulnerability in her defense that we uncovered after enduring three painful defeats. It seems those losses were not in vain after all,"
The intense match between the Queens and Rose Newton High School reached a fever pitch as Fisayo took charge, deftly passing the ball to Uzeoma. With lightning-fast precision, Uzeoma unleashed a three-pointer, prompting Teni to snap in frustration. The ball soared through the air, ultimately finding its home in the hoop as the crowd erupted in a cacophony of cheers
"Her release is insanely quick! How an I supposed to defend against that?" Teni thought to herself, eyeing Uzeoma as she jogged back
The Queens resumed play, their determination to regain control unwavering. However, Rose Newton High School's steadfast defenders continued to hinder their progress. Refusing to back down, Teni called out for the ball, her resolve palpable
"I will get those points back!" Teni thought, her eyes fixed on Uzeoma
"Oluchi!" Teni called out, "pass the ball to me!"
Oluchi responded, tossing the ball to Teni, who wasted no time in attempting a three-pointer. The ball sailed through the air only to be met by Victora's formidable block, prompting Teni's frustration to bubble to the surface
"Not on my watch," Victoria asserted, her presence looming large over the court
The ball changed hands, finding its way to Feranmi, who launched a fast break attack. With seemingly effortless grace, she wove past her defenders before sending the ball back to Uzeoma. In a stunning display of skill, Uzeoma executed another three-pointer, eliciting a thunderous wave of applause from the crowd
As play resumed, Oluchi led the Queens' attack, only to be halted by Feranmi's relentless defense
"It seems that's all you got, Queens. I really hope to see your next move, if you have any. But from here on out, the score gap will only widen" Feranmi taunted
"Tsk," Oluchi clicked her tongue
Undeterred, Oluchi passed the ball to Teni. Teni's subsequent three-pointer was blocked by Isioma, leading Feranmi to grab the rebound and initiate another fast break attack. Tosin, however, swiftly intercepted Feranmi's advance
"Over here!" Victoria called, her voice ringing out above the chaos
Feranmi reacted instantly, tossing the ball high into the air, creating an alley-oop opportunity for Victoria. Victoria soared towards the airborne ball. Undaunted, Tosin leaped to meet her, their rivalry evident in their determination
At thar moment, Tosin's words about men reverberated through Victoria's mind, fueling her anger as she glared at her opponent
"Incredible Hulk Dunk!" Victoria shouted, her words laden with pent up rage. She slammed the ball into the hoop with unimaginable force, sending Tosin's defense reeling and ultimately destroying the hoop in the process. The arena fell into stunned silence as the players and spectators alike grappled with the sheer power on display
"What's good about men? Men are nothing but selfish, arrogant, heartless, and stupid," Victoria seethed, her words laced with bitterness. "They care only for themselves and are capable of the most heinous acts without a second thought. They are worse than the devil himself and the world would be better off without them"
"Damn, I'm glad I'm not her opponent," Fisayo admitted, eyeing Victoria warily
From the sidelines, Eshe observed the scene with a mix of awe and curiosity. "Victoria's strength is monstrous," she thought to herself, "Tosin was pretty confident about going up against Victoria, does she have a plan? I wonder the Queens are thinking"
Tosin, shaken but undeterred, reflected on Victoria's display of power and the venom behind her words, "She's incredibly strong, but why does she harbor such hatred for men? What did they do to her?" she wondered, "Whatever it is, I hope she can one find it in her heart to forgive and see that not all men are as she thought"
As both teams retreated to their benches during the technical timeout for hoop repairs, the tension in the arena remained thick, charged with anticipation for the game's inevitable continuation
In the Rose Newton High School Female Basketball Team bench, Coach Bankole reviewed their strategy, his voice drowned out by the cacophony of the cheering crowd. Meanwhile, Victoria's thoughts drifted away from the game, fixated on the bittersweet memory of her ex-boyfriend, John. The memory transported her back to a pivotal moment in their tumultuous relationship
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Flashback
It was a sweltering Saturday afternoon when Victoria arrived at John's house. Her boyfriend appeared troubled, and she couldn't help but ask, "Hey, babe. You sounded worried on the phone. Is everything alright?" she patted his back gently, trying to comfort him
John, his eyes filled with intense fear and deep sadness, wailed, "Ah! Jesu! I am finished! What have I gotten myself into? Hmmmm! Why me?" His was palpable, and Victoria couldn't help but feel concerned
"Babe, please talk to me. You're scaring me," she pleaded, her worry mounting with each passing moment
John's heart was heavy as he continued to wail, struggling to find the words to express his distress
"Please tell me what the problem is," Victoria pressed on, her patience waning
"Victoria," John finally spoke, his voicr trembling
"Yes, Babe?" she answered, her voice filled with concern
"You're the only one I ever slept with," John said, his tone hesitant
"Yes? So? What happened?" Victoria asked, her confusion mounting
"Ah! I am finished!" John wailed, his despair reaching its peak
"You're not finished! At least tell me what the problem is," Victoria countered, her frustration evident
"I am HIV positive!" John revealed, his words hanging in the air like a heavy fog
"You're what?" Victoria asked, trying to fight back her laughter,
"I said I have HIV! Ah! Jesu! I am finished!" John repeated, his voice tinged with desperation
Victoria remained quiet for a moment, reflecting on John's revelation before finally speaking up
"You're HIV positive. So what? Is it a new thing?" Victoria asked, her tone becoming colder
"Huh? What did you just say?" John couldn't believe his ears, taken aback by Victoria's seemingly callous response
"Look, people are living with it. Some people have lived up to 70 years with the virus. It's no big deal!" Victoria said, her tone dismissive
"Ah! I can't believe I left a good woman for you!" John exclaimed, his regrets evident
"Ayeah, sorry for your loss," Victoria said, her voice laced with sarcasm
"You know what? Leave my house!" John ordered, his anger bubbling to the surface
"Babe, it…" Victoria tried to protest but John cut her off with a resounding "Leave!"
"It's okay, I will leave," Victoria said, her voice tinged with satisfaction
Victoria grabbed her bag and left the house, laughing out loud as she walked away ensuring that John heard her every step of the way
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Back to the present
Back to the team's bench, Chika's voice snapped Victoria out of her reverie.
"Victoria! Victoria!" Chika tapped her teammate gently on the shoulder
Victoria refocused on the game at hand. "Yes? What is it?"
"The game is resuming. Were you listening to the Coach's instruction?" Chika asked, her concern evident
"Sorry, no I wasn't listening," Victoria said, her mind still partly lost in the memory of John
As Victoria took her position on the court, she whispered a chilling vow under her breath: "They must pay! All men must pay!"
The Charlie Queens Academy Female Basketball Team, the Queens, huddled on their side of the court as Mrs. Lawal addressed them, seeking to assess their performance in the earliest part of the first quarter against Victoria
"Alright, guys, how was the first few moments of the first quarter against?" Mrs. Lawal inquired, her voice a blend of concern and determination
"It was horrible! I couldn't score a single long-range shot! It's a shame!" Teni lamented, frustration palpable in her voice
"At least we can now score against Victoria's ironclad defense, thanks to Tosin's impressive jumps," Mayowa chimed in, offering a silver lining to their struggle
"That's true," Mrs. Lawal acknowledged, a hint of relief in her tone
"Yes, but they have an arsenal of extremely skilled long-range shooters. If we can't our shots from a distance, we'll be at a severe disadvantage. As exceptional as Tosin is with her long-ramg shooting, we can't solely rely on her. We need everyone to contribute to the scoreboard!" Teni asserted, her concer for the team's overall performance unwavering
"You have a valid point," Eno concurred, recognizing the gravity of their situation
"Ahem, in that case, I will take care of the long-range shots for the rest of the first quarter. I will draw their defense out and create opportunities for us," Oluchi declared, her confidence reaching new heights
"Are you sure you can handle it?" Teni questioned, uncertainty lingered in her voice
"Who do you think you are talking to?" Oluchi retorted, her self-assurance unshakable
Sensing the rising tension between her teammates, Tosin intervened to diffuse the situation and promote unity among the Queens.
"We must have faith in one another and believe in our collective abilities. If Oluchi claims she can handle it, let's trust her, support her, and give her our full confidence," she said, her leadership and wisdom shining through
"Precisely. Tosin is right. Alright, girls, it's time to unleashed your full potential and show them what we are made of!" Mrs. Lawal exclaimed, emboldening her players with unanswered faith in their progress
"YEAH!" The Queens roared in unison
As the hoop repairs was completed, both teams returned to the court amidst a palpable, frenzied energy. The crowd's cheers reached a deafening crescendo, threatening to bring down the building
Victoria approached Tosin with a sly grin calling out, "Hey, Loser."
Tosin turned to face Victoriia, bracing herself for the inevitable confrontation
"I have some advice for you," Victoria began, "Firstly, stop defending men. It's disgraceful and irritating! Secondly, regarding what happened last year, I'm not sorry. You should be grateful I separated you from that idiot. I merely saved you!"
With that, Victoria spun on her heel and walked away, leaving Tosin to process her words
As Victoria retreated, Oluchi spoke up, unable to hide her disbelief. "She doesn't feel sorry for snatching John from you?"
Tosin, taking a deep breath, offered a measured response, "Apparently, she harbors an intense grudge against men for reasons unknown. I hope she eventually finds peace."
The game resumed with the Queens in possession. Oluchi led the charge but was quickly halted by Fisayo's defensive maneuvers
"I'm still waiting for your next move, Queens!" Fisayo taunted, attempting to intimidate Oluchi
Oluchi, unfazed by Fisayo's provocations, reflected on Victoria's grudge. "I can't say she's entirely wrong, though. After all, I used to despise basketball a few years ago. Yet, look at me now, relishing the very sport I once detested. Hating something is a painful feeling. I hope she finds peace too, Tosin. It's difficult to imagine Victoria changing her views even if we win. However, losing her won't change a thing! Wouldn't you agree, Tosin?" she thought to herself
With that, Oluchi leaped into the air, executing a three-pointer jump shot in what felt like slow motion
Fisayo, close enough to react, attempted a block. "Do you honestly think I will let you score three?" she jeered
"Hah!" Oluchi chuckled. "This shot isn't meant for your weak, lousy defense. It's meant for her – the best female defender in Nigeria!"
The ball sailed over Fisayo's attempted block, forming an abnormal arc like a rainbow. Victoria. Leaped to stop the shot, but the ball passed over her hand and swished through the net, eliciting gasps from the crowd and provoking a cacophony of cheers from the Queens' supporters
The Queens exchanged high fives, their spirits lifted by Oluchi's incredible shot.
"Wow, Oluchi! That was amazing!" Teni gushed, unable to hide her admiration. "Scoring a three-pointer against Victoria's defense? Unbelievable!"
Oluchi, reveling in her accomplishment, simply replied, "Again, who do you think you are talking to?"
The Queens on thw bench erupted into passionate celebrations over the spectacular shot
"That was a rainbow shot!" Mercy exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. "In basketball, the rainbow shot is a shot that arcs high and travels a considerable distance before hitting the basket. Often used as a highlight reel play or game – winning buzzer-beater, it's the hallmark of players known for their long-range shooting prowess. We managed to score some points against Victoria today, and it's still only the first quarter! I'm beginning to believe that we might actually win!"
On the court, Tosin couldn't help but praise Oluchi. "I see you've mastered quite an impressive shot there," she said, her admiration evident
Oluchi offered an explanation, her dedication shining through her words. "Last year, when we lost to Rose Newton High School, my desperate high-arced buzzer-beater missed, but it somehow managed to beat Victoria's defense. I realized it might be my secret weapon. So while you were training with Mrs. Parker, I would do extra training after we finished our daily sessions before heading home. During those additional hours, I practiced high-arced shots over and over again. I couldn't land a single shot in the first few months of training. At some point, I started to lose heart, but the thought of you coming back stronger kept me going. The first time my high-arced shot swished through the hoop in training, I was overwhelmed with joy. So, I kept practicing until my accuracy improved significantly. Now, I can score 9 out of every 10 high-arced shots. I'm glad I didn't give up. Tosin, I'll call this THE RAINBOW SHOT THAT SUDDENLY DROPPED FROM AN ANGEL IN HEAVEN"
Tosin couldn't help but laugh, "Isn't that name a bit long?"
"Nope, it's perfect!" Oluchi said with conviction
Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the court, Fisayo's frustration was evident.
"They've picked up another annoying technique. Tsk." She snapped
Victoria caalled out to her teammates as she pulled her hair back, her words carrying a sense of acknowledgement. "I've already taken notes of Tosin's skills."
Victoria's words shocked her teammates. It was the last thing they were expecting her to say
Victoria continued, "Tosin is an excellent player. I'm actually having fun here. However, I can't overlook her actions of always defending men. But still, this is the first time I'm having fun playing against a team that doesn't have a single member of the Victorious Varsity in it. They've already scored a few points against me. They came prepared. They might even win today. So, erase the idea of the Queens being weak from your memories because this team is strong! Let's have some fun!" she smiled
With that, Victoria jogged up the court, her determination evident as she prepared to attack. Her teammates were taken aback by her words. "Victoria smiled while playing basketball? That's a rare sight!" Feranmi pointed out
"Yeah, it means we can't take the Queen lightly if we hope to win today." Isioma agreed
With 18 seconds left in the first quarter, Rose Newton High School Team resumed play, Fisayo, their captain and point guard led the charge but her advance was halted by Oluch''s strong defense
"You wanted our next move? Here it is. We re going to win this game!" Oluchi declared, her voice filled with confidence.
Fisayo, acknowledging the Queens' strength, retorted, "I admit, you are good. But we won't lose!"
Shalom, her gaze locked on the ball in Fisayo's possession, recognized that time was running out. "With few minutes left in the first quarter, we still trail by 5 points. Fisayo is trying to kill time and then go for a buzzer beater to end the quarter with a maximum of 8 points lead. We can't let that happen. We must steal the ball right here, right now!" she thought, her determination unwavering
In a swift maneuver, Shalom knocked the ball from Fisayo's grasp and initiated a breakaway alongside Tosin, Teni, and Oluchi. The four Queens advance with unstoppable momentum, launching a 4-way fastbreak attack with no one to beat
"Shit! Hurry back!" Uzeoma yelled, panic beginning to creep in
"How are they so fast?" Feranmi thought, her expression overwhelmed with fear
Just then Victoria instantly caught up, attempting to stop the 4-way fastbreak attack
"What will she do next? Pass it to her teammates or go for it herself? Putting myself in her shoes, I'd pass to Tosin," Victoria thought to herself
Shalom noticed Victoria glancing at Tosin and grinned. "It looks like you're wary of our Captain. The Queens isn't just about Tosin," she said
Shalom then veered away from Tosin's path
"I see. Then stopping you is easy," Victoria responded, quickly adjusting her defense
Meanwhile behind Victoria, Tosin leaped into the air. Shalom smiled and tossed the ball towards Tosin in an alley-oop attempt.
"Allow me to borrow your words, Tosin. I thought you might try that," Victoria said, leaping to block Tosin's attack, seemingly unfazed by the Queens' strategy
Tosin lets out a short chuckle, "Hah! I thought you might try that," she said, before sending a pass towards Teni, who was positioned behind the arc
"Sweet," Teni muttered, catching the ball and unleashing a three-pointer jump shot. The ball soared through the air and swished through the net as the buzzer signaled the end of the first quarter. With the score at 26-24, the Queens trailed by 2 points. Tosin swung her hands, encouraging the fans to cheer louder as both teams retreated to their respective benches