Rebound: A 2nd Chance

Chapter 42 - Everyone Got What They Wanted

Ricky felt confident again after having scored that bucket 'The kid is good but I have too much of an advantage. I can do this.'

Ricky was guarding Jason with just a bit of space between them. He had one arm to the side and the other up and ready to contest a shot should Jason try to shoot the three.

Jason started off in triple threat position. He stared down Ricky before jabbing to the right. Ricky twitched a little bit but he managed to keep himself from falling for the fake.

Jason jabbed to the right again. Before his jab was even done he knew that Ricky wasn't going to react to it so he turned it into an actual drive to the basket.

Ricky had thought that it was just going to be another jab step. His initial plan was to wait out the fakes from the triple threat and force Jason to start dribbling again.

He didn't expect Jason to drive off of the jab step. He started chasing after Jason. Ricky was a better athlete than Jason. His speed let him close the distance that Jason created.

After he caught up with Jason he started shuffling his feet as he maintained contact. Jason gave Ricky a quick bump before stepping back with a quick dribble through the legs.

The bump combined with the stepback created enough space for Jason to safely get a jump shot off.

Ricky saw Jason starting his shot and jumped forward with everything he had as a last-ditch effort to defend.

Unfortunately for him as he was flying through the air he saw Jason driving around him and towards the basket 'It was a head-fake!'

By the time Ricky landed back on the court Jason was already close to the paint. He knew that there was no way for him to catch up.

All he could do was turn around and watch as Jason effortlessly laid the ball into the basket. Jason turned around and looked back at Ricky.

He held up his hands and showed the score with his fingers "2-1 Ricky. Shit is almost done." The crowd was still making noise and cheering from when Jason got Ricky into the air with his fake.

Ricky stared at Jason as he passed him the ball 'What the hell? This doesn't make sense. His stepback wasn't even that fast. I should have had enough time to recover.'

Ricky started to dribble right away. He didn't bother to use triple threat knowing that Jason wouldn't fall for it.

Jason was being physical from the start. He pressed against Ricky and didn't give him any space to operate.

Normally playing tight defense like this is dangerous because although it creates pressure for the offensive player it also leaves the defender more vulnerable to dribble moves and drives.

However for Jason this problem was almost nonexistent. His defensive IQ and defensive instincts that have been honed through years of experience gave him the confidence to play this brand of smothering defense.

Jason's body pressed against Ricky as he tried to shield the ball with his body. He turned over his right shoulder and started driving to the paint.

He was hoping to get the same results as last time. He tried his best to push passed Jason as he drove toward the paint. Jason shuffled his feet and maintained contact as he defended Ricky.

Jason's focus was locked in on Ricky 'His long strides got me last time because I didn't know the rhythm of his Euro-step but it won't work against me again. I'll shut him down this time!'

Ricky picked up his dribble and started his Euro-step. He was confident in this signature move of his that utilized his best attributes. His long arms and legs.

Ricky took his first step to the right and as he was about to take his second step to the left he was surprised to see that Jason was already there waiting to intercept him.

Jason reached out and ripped the ball away from Ricky. Ricky saw everything as it unfolded but he was helpless to stop it. His body was already in motion and it was too late to react.

Jason ran after the ball after it was ripped free from Ricky. By the time he managed to get control of the ball Ricky was able to get into a defensive stance as he approached Jason.

Jason smiled as he looked at Ricky "Looks like this is the last possession Ricky. I hope you're ready." Ricky clapped his hands before spreading his arms open "Bring it dog."

Jason started rhythm dribbling. Left, right, left, right, then he did a crossover to the left as he started driving.

Ricky tried to meet Jason at the spot he was moving to but before they made contact with each other Jason changed directions with a behind-the-back dribble.

Ricky's hips and feet were already turned to the left. So when he saw Jason change direction he had to lean his body that way in order to try and follow him.

It was hard but Ricky managed to force his body to the right. He took a step toward Jason expecting to be able to lean on him and regain his balance.

Just as his foot landed on the floor Jason dribbled through his legs and stepped back. Without Jason there to act as a stopper Ricky's body fell over. Leaving him on all four like a dog.

Inside his head Ricky knew 'It's over.' He didn't even bother turning around. He just heard the sound of the ball going through the net.

After Jason's through the legs stepback he locked his vision onto the basket and let the mid-range jumper fly.

When Jason started his dribbling the whole team became quiet in anticipation. They started making a bit of noise when Jason started to get Ricky leaning.

But it wasn't until Ricky fell to the floor and got on his hands and legs like a dog that they exploded into a frenzy. The whole gym was shaking from their noise.

The whole team ran onto the court cheering and yelling. They gathered around Jason and started dapping him up, ruffling his hair, giving him bro hugs, and pouring their water bottles on top of him.

Samantha all smiles as she watched Jason getting swarmed by all these high schoolers.

Ricky embarrassedly stood up and watched as his team celebrated Jason. They started chanting "YB! YB! YB! YB!"

Jason was overwhelmed by their reaction at first but he started smiling after a few seconds. Thankfully after a few minutes of craziness they all calmed down.

After Jason got acquainted with the whole team and added them as friends. Even Ricky wanted to join in. It looked like he held no bad feelings toward Jason and had nothing but respect for him.

Afterwards Jason told them that he still had to go to practice. He said his goodbyes and left the gym with Samantha.

Samantha was grinning as she looked at Jason's disheveled appearance. Jason looked at her and he couldn't help but chuckle "What?"

Samantha laughed as she responded "Now I know why you wanted to come here. You just wanted to show off."

Jason helplessly shook his head "Trust me. I had no idea that this would happen. I just came to talk to Tyreek about doing the show."

Samantha giggled before giving Jason a light bump with her shoulder "Whatever you say Jason. Or should I say Young Buckets? Hahaha."

Jason blushed after hearing Samantha call him that "Stop it. That nicknames so embarrassing." Samantha stuck her tongue out

"You didn't seem to think so when it was everyone else calling you that. Besides, I think it matches you pretty well."

The two of them made it to the bus stop. After about five minutes the bus showed up and the two of them got on. The two of them were making their way back to their school.

Jason had gotten used to taking naps in the car whenever his parents drove. That coupled with the fact that he was kind of tired from the one on one against Ricky lead to him falling asleep on the bus.

Samantha noticed Jason falling asleep. She kept sneaking glances at him until she finally confirmed that he was actually sleeping.

She looked at his peaceful resting face and smiled. She got an idea as she pulled her phone out of her pocket.

She leaned her head toward Jason and took a picture. She took a couple of different shots. She took a picture with her holding up a peace sign.

She took another one where she pretended to be asleep and one where she was acting goofy. She hesitated at first but then she took a picture where she was resting her head on Jason's shoulder.

After she was done she looked at all the pictures that she had taken and she was smiling from ear to ear 'This just might be the best day of my life. These pics are so going into my scrapbook.'

As the bus was driving they hit a pothole. The entire bus shook a bit causing Jason's head to fall to the side and lean on Samantha's shoulder.

Her entire face became red hot. She had to stop herself from squealing in joy 'I stand corrected. Today is officially the best day of my life.'