Rebound: A 2nd Chance

Chapter 41 - Too Much Sauce

Ricky was surprised by how tight Jason's defense was 'I can't get any space!' He was a good bit faster than Jason in terms of speed but it was like Jason could read all of his moves.

Ricky couldn't get Jason to fall for any of his moves. And worst yet his advantage in athleticism didn't seem to help as Jason was able to beat Ricky to his spots.

Ricky was sweating now 'This kid is like smoke on a bbq you can't get rid of him!' Not only could he not get passed Jason. It seemed like he had figured out his rhythm.

Jason was now the one pressuring Ricky with his defense. Ricky had to turn and his body to shield the ball from Jason.

Ricky tried posting Jason up since he was turned toward him but because of his thin frame and Jason getting down low to defend him Ricky couldn't back him down.

'Fuck it!' Ricky decided to just try and force his way to the rim and use his size advantage to it's fullest. He turned over his right shoulder as he began to slash his way to the paint.

Jason attached to Ricky's hip as they both made their way to the rim. Along the way Jason would bump Ricky. Making it hard for him to get in rhythm.

'Damn it! Almost there!' As the two approached the basket Jason's concentration was at its highest 'He has four inches on me and he has that eagle-like wingspan.

I won't be able to do much once he has the ball in the air. I have to get him before he can properly gather for the shot.'

Jason ignored everything else that was going on. The only thing that existed at this moment was Ricky and the ball.

'Almos. Almost... Now!' Jason was focused on every single small detail about Ricky. As soon as he picked up his dribble and started getting ready for the shot Jason jumped into action.

Ricky picked up his dribble and was about to tuck the ball into his body to protect it from Jason before laying it into the basket at the last second.

But Jason was able to stab his hand through the air and rip the ball free as Ricky was in the process of bringing the ball towards his body.

Ricky was caught off guard. He wanted to stop and turn towards the ball as soon as it left his hand but his momentum carried him for another step.

Jason on the other hand had been able to predict that the ball would be ripped free from Ricky's possession. He was a step ahead in running towards it.

Jason got to the ball first. He kept his eyes on Ricky who was just a foot away as he brought the ball back out to the perimeter.

Ricky was breathing hard with sweat trickling down his face as he stared at Jason in disbelief 'That was a hell of a possession. Shit was intense.

Tyreek wasn't kidding. This kid do clamp down on you on D. Does that mean Tyreek was telling the truth about his offense too?'

Jason smiled as he sized up Ricky 'Good sized wingspan, good lateral movement but he seems to lack explosiveness.

He has good size but he also seems to be lacking in the strength department because of his thin frame.'

After a second of thinking Jason had come up with a plan of attack. Ricky was guarding Jason with a little bit of space.

'This should be enough space for me to react if he starts attacking the basket. And it's just close enough where I can contest his shot if he tries to shoot.'

Jason started rhythm dribbling. Left, right, left, right, then he dashed to the right at his top speed.

Ricky laughed in his head 'You're too slow.' He had no problem keeping up with Jason. The two of them made contact.

As Ricky stayed attached to Jason as he made his way right Jason switched directions with a behind the back dribble.

Ricky was a little surprised by how smooth Jason's handle was but it wasn't enough to create any space.

Ricky turned his hips and began moving to the left in order to stay with Jason. But it was a fake!

Jason wasn't going left. He did a double behind the back dribble. Bringing the ball back to his right hand.

Ricky was caught off guard 'What!' He tried to force his body to turn back. He had to use more power in order to compensate for his body's bad positioning.

But it was too late. Jason took advantage of the space created. He drove passed Ricky while he was turned to the side.

By the time Ricky had managed to recover Jason was a few feet away from him. Ricky exploded forward as he began chasing Jason from the back.

As Ricky was closing in on Jason he couldn't get that play out of his head 'How did he get me? His handles aren't fast and he isn't an explosive athlete. I just don't get it.'

Jason was almost at the rim but Ricky wasn't nervous as he had caught up and was now only two steps behind 'I can block it.

With my height and wingspan combined with my bounce I just need to jump with him and I'll block his shot.'

Ricky kept his eyes on Jason. Trying to time his jump with Jason's so that he could block the layup. But Jason's next move took him by surprise again.

Jason jumped and moved the ball into his right hand in preparation for the layup. Ricky jumped as soon as he saw Jason jump. His right hand extended forward in order to block the shot.

But while they were in the air Jason tucked the ball back towards his body and held it below his torso.

This move ruined Ricky's attempt to block the shot. His hand was already halfway through swinging down while Jason still had the ball.

Right before Jason landed back on the floor he tossed the ball up and towards the net using just the flick of his wrist.

Jason managed to successfully avoid getting blocked. The ball hit the backboard before rolling on the rim. After it went halfway around the rim the ball finally sinking through the net.

Jason landed awkwardly as he moved his arms in an attempt to stay balanced. Luckily he managed to catch himself without falling.

'Damn! I almost fell on my ass again. I'm really not used to doing these acrobatic finishes. I need to practice these some more.'

Jason looked up just in time to see the ball as it fell through the net. He turned to Ricky with a smile "I guess the scores 1-0"

Ricky stared at Jason with his mouth in a O shape. He was in awe after that play 'This kid is no joke. He's got lockdown D and his handles combined with his crafty finishing around the rim make him a dangerous scorer.

The craziest part is that he's doing all this without being a crazy athlete. He doesn't have any bounce, he's not crazy strong, and his speed isn't even that fast. How does he do it?'

Before Ricky could say anything the whole gym erupted into a crazy atmosphere. Everyone was yelling and swinging their jerseys in their hands as they went wild for Jason's highlight play.

One person even ran on to the court and towards Ricky as he recorded a video with his phone. He put his arm around Ricky before laughing.

"Say hi to the internet bro. How you feeling? You okay or do you need a ride to the police station? Because from what I saw you just got assaulted bruh! Hahaha.

You don almost got yo ankles snatched by Jackie Chan's great great grandson! Homeboy cooked you up son. Little dude hit you with the double clutch scoop layup!"

Ricky pushed him away "Man if you don't get yo bootleg dolla store phone out of my face. It was only one point. We playing to three so get yo musty ass off the court."

Samantha was on the side watching. She was surprised "I knew that he was good but I didn't think he was so good that he could go against a high schooler."

Tyreek laughed after hearing what Samantha had to say "To be fair Ricky is still just a freshman. But your boyfriend over there really is something special. "

Hash laughed as he added "Damn right he's special. At first I thought you was just gassing him up Tyreek. But you was keepin it a hunnid. Young Buckets is no joke."

Samantha blushed as she responded "He's actually not my boyfriend." Under her breath she whispered "At least not yet."

Back on the court Ricky was seeing Jason in a whole new light. When he first took Hash up on the offer for the one on one he never in his wildest dreams thought it would play out like this.

He was a little embarrassed to be beaten by a 12-year-old kid in front of the whole team but he had to get them out of his head 'It was only one point. You just need to get to three first.'

Jason tossed the ball to Ricky "Your ball man." Ricky started off at a hundred percent this time around.

He no longer saw Jason as just some little kid 'I should have taken this more seriously from the start. Tyreek never gasses people up for no reason.'

Ricky was shielding the ball from Jason with his body again. He faked turning over to the left and instead spun to the right.

However Jason didn't fall for the fake. He anticipated the spin to the right and met Ricky at his spot.

Ricky tried to ignore Jason as he forced his way to the basket. Jason took a couple bumps from Ricky as he stayed with him on the way to the paint.

Right before they got into the paint Ricky hit Jason with the Euro-step. Ricky was a lanky kid. Meaning that his legs were long just like his arms.

Jason tried his best to angle himself as best as he could to contest the shot but Ricky's Euro-step managed to create enough space for him to get his shot off.

It was Ricky's turn to smile this time. He turned to Jason as the ball swished through the net "Scores 1-1 dog. Let's see what else you got."