#rivervale_lodge

"Oh, thank you, Dagmar" Sylvi mutters, then calls out "Shake it off!" Which starts another chant and routine.

'I.. " May blushes "That's because you set it up ..."but she's rallied a bit and gets back in the game

Lucia has been cheering too, and says chants "It's all right,, it's okay, they're gonna pump our gas some day"

Sylvi laughs and joins in on that one!

May laughs at that and yes, feels better. Boggans, they have gifts for reading crowds of people

Lucia winks "In case you forgot I was here"

"You rock," Sylvi says.

Sam finds herself getting the ball passed to her again and she sees Gonzalez is closer. She can either pass, or try for the shot herself again

A clap on May's shoulder, and back to work. She passes when Gonzalez is open!

And Gonzalez does a beautiful lay up despite her small size! "In your face! You come after my friends, we kick your ass! That's how we play it!"

"Sportsmanship" the ref warns

Gonzalez says "I mean welcome to our school" She forces a smile

A snort and a grin.

"She's heading for the basket
She's running down the floor
She is the mightly Gonzalez
And she's heading for a score!"

WHoot!

Gonzales gets the ball again, thens ays "Sorry sam, she neeeds this more" And lobs it towards May

"Take it down (stomp, stomp)
Put it up (stomp, stomp)
Shoot it in (stomp, stomp)
Let's WIN!"

May lobs the ball in desperation... it is NOT a pretty shot!

But it does go in!

Huge cheers from the cheerleaders!

"She's heading for the basket
She's running down the floor
She is the mighty May
And she's heading for a score!"

And Sam gets the ball again... and thecoach says "run it down"

She dribbles down - but she goes to take the shot from the 3-point zone!

the clock! Argh, wasting time isn't nearly as fun as...yeah, she can't help it!

SHOOOT!

The cheerleaders have been counting down the clock....

Takes the shot and... it lands in the other players hands... an enemy player

ANd she races past, and takes her own desperation shot

A scream. "Defense! Defense! Defense!"

It's not eloquent or clever, but it is heartfelt.

And the three point on the other side makes it!

They're tied!

With only five seconds left, the ball bounces, Gonzales snatches it, and hurls it towards Dagmar 'Sam, try again!"

"She's heading for the basket
She's running down the floor
She is the mighty SAM
And she's heading for a score!"

"Gonzales, no..." She catches, and looks for someone open...

"Not time!" her coach yells "SHOOT!" Only one second!

Jaymes yells ""THUNDER!"

"THUNDER!" Sylvi echoes.

Feet stomping. "THUNDER!"

And... she shoots.

Like a practice shot in the driveway - rolling off her blunt fingertips, a gentle, slow arc UP, and UP....

Then, gaining speed as it descends - hitting the hoop and spinning once around the rim before it falls in.

And the gym goes nuts as the first real game for the girls basketball team had more ups and downs than an escalator shifting gears

Shimmery pompoms wave frantically amid the cacophony of voices.

Honest to gosh, some of the cheerleaders probably wonder if this is what being high is like. Mean while, the basketball team , the home one, is probably stunned in a good way

Sam stands stock still, uncertain what to do next.

Sylvi knocks out a couple of high V jumps in celebration.

Sam gets playfully punchedi n the side by Gonzalez "You did it you did it why did you wait? YOu scared the SHIT out of me... good job!"

May says 'Way to send her mixed messages, Gonzalez" then a smile "Saved our bacon, Sam"

"We gotta shake the hands of the other team" Another player says