Step In The Arena
Posted: 15 Sep 2023, 20:16
you're welcomedjp73 wrote: ↑15 Sep 2023, 20:36This is it.
"It's really over," I think to myself, watching the confetti fall from the arena ceiling.
I look over to the bench that has cleared out before glancing towards the center of the court to watch Duke celebrate heading to the Final Four.
It was a back and forth game most of the way. We came in knowing beating them would be a real uphill battle, but we had been hot, picking up three straight convincing wins over good teams. They just had too much.
I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to see my opposition for the game, Bobby Hurley, standing behind me. I give him the customary hand shake and we exchange a few post game pleasantries.
“You doing another season?” he asked, leaning in as he cupped his hand over his mouth.
“I don't know, man. We'll see what happens. Draft is in a few month, got to think on it all. I'll catch up with you later, okay? Congratulations, good luck going forward man.”
“Hell of a game man, hell of a season.”
I give a quick nod and then I make my way towards the locker room, shaking hands with the opposing team along the way, but not really stopping to speak with anyone. Once I pass our bench, I see Malik waving me over.
"Bro," he shakes his head, "I thought we was getting another championship."
We had played together at Tolentine and won a championship together. When we both signed with St. John's, we talked about how many championships we would win together. After a NIT Championship as freshmen, we had set our sights on the big one only to fall short against the team that had beaten us in the second round last year.
I leaned in for a hug, holding it longer than I'd planned as all the emotions poured out on his shoulders.
For?Soapy wrote: ↑15 Sep 2023, 21:22you're welcomedjp73 wrote: ↑15 Sep 2023, 20:36This is it.
"It's really over," I think to myself, watching the confetti fall from the arena ceiling.
I look over to the bench that has cleared out before glancing towards the center of the court to watch Duke celebrate heading to the Final Four.
It was a back and forth game most of the way. We came in knowing beating them would be a real uphill battle, but we had been hot, picking up three straight convincing wins over good teams. They just had too much.
I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to see my opposition for the game, Bobby Hurley, standing behind me. I give him the customary hand shake and we exchange a few post game pleasantries.
“You doing another season?” he asked, leaning in as he cupped his hand over his mouth.
“I don't know, man. We'll see what happens. Draft is in a few month, got to think on it all. I'll catch up with you later, okay? Congratulations, good luck going forward man.”
“Hell of a game man, hell of a season.”
I give a quick nod and then I make my way towards the locker room, shaking hands with the opposing team along the way, but not really stopping to speak with anyone. Once I pass our bench, I see Malik waving me over.
"Bro," he shakes his head, "I thought we was getting another championship."
We had played together at Tolentine and won a championship together. When we both signed with St. John's, we talked about how many championships we would win together. After a NIT Championship as freshmen, we had set our sights on the big one only to fall short against the team that had beaten us in the second round last year.
I leaned in for a hug, holding it longer than I'd planned as all the emotions poured out on his shoulders.