As the sun rose on another bright morning, its warmth and light cast upon the earth, illuminating the busy paths of people heading to their workplaces and schools. The Charlie Queens' compound, though quiet, felt the gentle breeze sweeping calmly across the grounds, dust dancing in its wake. Inside the school, teachers engage in their attentive students in various classrooms
However, within the SSS 1A classroom, the basketball club members were visibly exhausted from their grueling game and subsequent events of the previous day. Tosin, having stayed up late the night before, found herself drifting off as the teacher lectured
Noticing Tosin's state, the teacher hurled a whiteboard marker cover at her, abruptly waking her. "Stand up," he ordered
Tosin obeyed, the fatigue evident on her face. "I'm sorry sir," she apologized. "I'm just tired, but I'm fine now"
"Alright, you may sit," the teacher relented, allowing Tosin to return to her seat with a thankful nod. "But if you fall asleep again, you'll come and stand beside me"
As the teacher continued his lesson, the students listened attentively, striving to absorb the information. Yet, a mere five minutes later, Tosin's exhaustion overtook her once more, as she dozed off in her seat
"Tosin!" the teacher called out, causing her to jolt awake. "Come and stand beside me, now!"
Tosin knew she had crossed the line; her sleepiness disrupted the classroom's atmosphere. She obeyed her teacher's command, dragging herself to the front of the class, hoping to stay awake and avoid further trouble. The day had only just begun, but the weight of her exhaustion loomed heavily.
As the school day came to a close, students gathered their belongings and made their way home, ready to unwind after a day of learning. Meanwhile, the Chalie Queens Academy Basketball club members had other plans. They changed into their training kits and assembled at the school's basketball gymnasium, where Mrs. Lawal awaited their arrival
"Girls, good job in yesterday's game," Mrs. Lawal commended her team. "You were all amazing." She had initially planned to share the insights she had gained from studying their opponents the night before. However, upon noticing the exhaustion etched on their faces, she decided to postpone the tactical discussion until the following day
"Today, you'll just jog around the school premises three times," Mrs. Lawal instructed, prioritizing their well-being over intense training. "After that, you can go home and get some rest. Don't overexert yourself. You need to recover. Alright, dismiss"
The Queens set off on their three-lap jog around the school premises. As they completed their task, the team members dispersed, heading home to find solace in the comfort of their own beds.
As Tosin made her way through the familiar streets of her neighborhood, her thoughts drifted to John and his well-being. She recalled his mention of feeling sick the previous day, and a wave of concern washed over her. Tosin considered paying him a visit but quickly realized that her own exhaustion was overwhelming. Instead, she decided she decided to check in on him through a phone call once she got home
Upon entering the house, Tosin greeted her mother Sade with a warm smile. "Good evening, Mum"
"Good evening, sweetie," Sade replied, enveloping her daughter in a comforting hug. "How was school today?"
"School was fine," Toxin said, "but I'm so tired. I need to rest"
Sensing her daughter's exhaustion, Sade nodded in understanding. "Alright honey. Go freshen up, and I will make something for you to eat"
"Alright, Mum," Tosin agreed, grateful for her mother's support. She made her way straight to her room, the allure of her comfortable bed growing stronger with each step
The moment Tosin entered her room, she felt the weight of the day pressing down on her. She collapsed onto her neatly made bed, fully intending to gather enough energy to call John. Hower, the soft embrace of her mattress and the quiet stillness of the room proved too powerful, and she drifted off to sleep in her school uniform and shoes. The stresses of the day melted away as she surrendered to a deep slumber, her worries about John temporarily put on hold as she took the time to recharge and recover
Sade entered Tosin's room, carrying a tray laden with a plate of noodles and eggs, along with a glass and bottle of chilled water. However, she found Tosin already fast asleep, her fatigue evident. With a mother's tender touch, Sade gently removed Tosin's shoes and covered her with a warm blanket before quietly walking away, leaving the food covered on Tosin's table
Several hours later, Tosin awoke from her restorative nap, her energy fully replenished. Discovering the now-cold food that her mother left, Tosin ate quickly before reaching for her phone to call John and check on his health. To her growing frustration, John didn't answer her calls. After dialing his number 15 times, Tosin tried once more, only to find that his phone had been switched off
The following day, Tosin rose up early for school, her mind still lingering on the unanswered questions surrounding John's well-being. As she made her way to Charlie Queens Academy, a strange woman approached her
"You're Tosin, right?" the stranger inquired
"Yes," Tosin replied cautiously, "How may I help you?"
With a cryptic message, the stranger said, "Girl, I've got my eyes on you," before walking away, leaving Tosin bewildered and uneasy. The strange woman's appearance – black sunglasses, black jacket, yellow top underneath the jacket, tight jeans trousers, and black heels – along with her foreign accent, struck Tosin as peculiar and only added to her confusion
Despite, the strange encounter, Tosin continued her journey to school. Within 20 minutes, she arrived at Charlie Queens Academy, her mind racing with thoughts about the mysterious woman and her connection, if any, to her life
As the last day of the week drew closer, the excitement of the impending weekend was palpable among the students of Charlie Queens Academy. With less than 24 hours until two days of freedom, students eagerly awaited the sound of the dismissal alarm. Tradition dictated that schools close earlier on this day, allowing everyone to indulge in a work-free weekend
Finally, at 1pm, the school alarm resonated throughout the halls of Charlie Queens Academy, signaling the end of the classes and the beginning of a much-anticipated break. Students wasted no time in gathering their belongings and rushing home, their minds already filled with visions of relaxation and fun
In contrast, the members of the basketball club were not focused on leisure but rather on the intense training session they knew awaited them under the guidance of Mrs. Lawal. Due to the fact they couldn't train the day before because of fatigue and the looming playoffs semifinal match against the Rose Mary High School, scheduled for Saturday at noon, the team understood the importance of this training. They braced themselves for the challenging, yet invaluable coaching they would receive from Mrs. Lawal
Changing into their training kits, the Queens made their way to the school's basketball gym. They found Mrs. Lawal already waiting for them, her unwavering commitment to the team's success apparent in her posture and expression. Determined to rise to the challenge and prove their dedication, the Queens prepared for the grueling but essential practice that lay ahead
"Good afternoon, girls," Mrs. Lawal greeted the team as they gathered around her
"Good afternoon, ma," the Queens responded in unison, their voices echoing through the gymnasium
"How are you girls doing? I hope you've gotten enough rest," Mrs. Lawal inquired, her concern for their well-being evident in her tone
"We're better now, ma," Tosin spoke up
"Alright, that's what I want to hear. Let's move on to today's business," Mrs. Lawal began, picking up her white device and switching it on. "Our game against Rose Mary High School is scheduled for tomorrow at noon. I want you all to expect a much tougher opponent than last time."
Tosin, having analyzed their previous match against Rose Mary High School, chimed in, "Yeah, because last time, we played most of the game against them without Aisa, their ace, who only came into the game at some point in the final quarter. This time, she'll be available from the beginning. Also, their team has probably made a lot of improvements, right, coach?
"That's right, Tosin," Mrs. Lawal continued, her expression growing more serious. "However, there is something else"
The Queens chorused, "Whaaaaaaaaaaaat?!" a hint of panic in their voices at the thought of an unknown strength within Rose Mary High School Team
"You see, they've got a player who is currently in JSS 3. While we were not active, she honed her skills and went on to become a regular on the team. She's a force to be reckoned with. In our last game, their inside was weak, but with her, their inside is so strong. Her name is Hannah, she's their center." Mrs. Lawal explained, showing the Queens a picture of Hannah on her white tab
"If it comes to a battle of the inside, then Eno would handle it, right, Eno?" Shalom suggested, smiling at her teammate
"I wouldn't underestimate Hannah if I were you," Mrs. Lawal warned, while scrolling through her device. "The real issue lies in the rebounds"
"Rebounds?" Mercy asked, curious about the coach's insight
"Yes," Mrs. Lawal continued. "In a basketball game, 60-65% of the shots are missed. This makes rebounds a key element that could change the flow of the game as well as decide the outcome. If your center is capable of getting rebounds, you won't worry about what happens if you miss a shot. Consequently, you'll make a lot of shots"
"I can get rebounds too, ma," Eno tried to convince Mrs. Lawal of her abilities
"Nope, not against Hannah," Mrs. Lawal said, knowing the challenge their opponent presented
"Why?" Oluchi asked, seeking clarification
"Her jumps are insane." Mrs. Lawal revealed, emphasizing Hannah's prowess on the court
"Her Jumps?" Tosin asked, intrigued by the description
"Yeah, her jumps," Mrs. Lawal replied, showing the Queens a clip of Hannah's impressive jumps and rebounds. "You see, there are two types of insane jumps: the airhead and the explosive jumps. Tosin's super high jumps are an example of airhead. The explosive jump however is one in which the timing doesn't really matter. The person can always get to the ball first even after jumping last"
"Wow! What a jump!" the Queens reacted to Hannah's jumping prowess in the clip, recognizing the talent they would be facing
"How about we let Tosin handle Hannah?" Shalom suggested, considering a strategic move
"No," Mrs. Lawal said firmly, knowing they needed another approach
"Why?" Shalom asked, seeking an explanation for the Coach's decision
"Because we need to Tosin to handle their ace, Aisa." Mrs. Lawal explained. That said, the only person who can stop Hannah on this team is Eno. If she can't, then we can't win. And if we can't win, we can't participate in this year's Christmas Champions Cup"
"Whaaaaaaat?!" The Queens exclaimed in shock; fear written all over their faces at the thought of missing out on the prestigious competition
"It'd be the end of the road for us." Mrs. Lawal continued, driving home the gravity of the situation. "However, Eno will be training with Tosin today. Shell try to win rebounding battles against Tosin with her insane high jumps. Today's training session will be intense. It's only past 1 pm; we will train until 9 pm. We are going to win this thing, no matter what it takes"
"RIGHT!" The Queens yelled in unison
The Queens trained with unwavering dedication, each passing hour a testament to their grit. As they focus on honing their skills and perfecting their plays, the sound of bouncing basketballs echoed throughout the gymnasium, a rhythmic symphony of efforts and perseverance
"Oh my, it's 9:12 pm," Mrs. Lawal announced, glancing at her wrist watch. "Gather around, everyone!" Her voice cut through the cacophony of practice, drawing the attention of the exhausted, yet committed players
Drenched in sweat, the Queens ceased their individual training sessions and assembled around their coach, their hearts pounding from exertion and their minds fixed on the crucial game that awaited them
"It's time to call it a day," Mrs. Lawal declared, acknowledging their hard work. "Tomorrow, we'll meet here at 12 noon to discuss our tactical plans for the game. For now, you should all go home immediately and take care of yourselves. Make sure to eat and rest. Understood?"
"Yes ma'am!" the Queens chorused
"Dismiss." Mrs. Lawal ordered
As the Queens parted ways, each headed towards their respective corners of the city, the weight of the day's training still lingered in their minds. Each member decided to retire to bed as soon as they finished their dinners, knowing that rest would be crucial for the challenges that lay ahead
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Lagos at 10:49 pm, a solitary figure was hard at work, the echoes of a bouncing ball ringing through the compound. Aisa, Rose Mary High School's ace, launched a jump shot, the ball soaring through the air before swishing through the net
"It's tomorrow, Tosin" Aisa muttered with a smile, her anticipation for their impending showdown evident in her voice
"Hey Aisa, won't you go to bed? You have a game tomorrow, right?" her father called out, concern inscribed in his voice
"I'll sleep soon, father. I just want to practice a little longer," Aisa replied, emerging from the shadows
"You better not get hurt before a big game," her father warned, hinting at the importance of rest and recovery
"I'm going up against a tough opponent; I can't help myself," Aisa admitted with a bright smile, the thought of facing Tosin driving her to push harder
"Tosin, huh? I saw her game against African Church International High School's basketball team. She was unstoppable in the final quarter" Aisa's father said, recalling watching the Queens's game against the African Church on TV
"Wasn't she?" Aisa agreed with an enthusiastic grin, her competitive spirit sparked by the knowledge of her rival's capabilities
"Though, it's too bad for them that they'll be eliminated tomorrow. Just when I was starting to like them too," Aisa's father sighed, feeling confident that Rose Mary High School would emerge victorious