Sudden Fiction Basketball

Author's Note: This is a piece I wrote in about 20 minutes, just getting my ideas onto a paper during a class in LA. We were talking about Sudden Fiction, and we had to use "spring", "bank" and "Oh, I should have told you".

It was 6:30 pm, early Spring, and the whole city of Atlanta was piling in to the Georgia Dome. They were all here to witness one thing; the Championship game between Minnesota and Kansas. The March Madness tournament had been great, and after all 126 games, these two teams were left, being carried by their two all-star point guards Ben McLemore and Andre Hollins. Everyone was settling in with their popcorn and Mt. Dew, and the tip went up.

Kansas controlled the ball first, and dumped it down to Jeff Withey. Jayhawks were on the board quickly, with the lead 2-0. The game was back in forth all game until the 5:00 mark in the first half. The score was 22-21 Jayhawks, before McLemore took over. He kept taking three by three, drilling every one. When Minnesota jumped in the air to block the shot, he would drive to the basket and lay the lay-up in, and the n the free throw followed.  Meanwhile, on the other end of the court, Minnesota went cold. Threes were half-way down the basket, but came out. They had turnovers, charges, every way possible to give up the ball. After the atrocious play by the Gophers and the outstanding play by McLemore and the Jayhawks, the halftime score stood at 43-25.

It all seemed over for Minnesota, as most people in the crowd looked so bored that they would rather watch paint dry than watch this blowout. As the teams head back onto the court, the crowds cheered loudly for the leading Jayhawks, but go silent for the Golden Gophers. The Gophers demeanor looked diminished, and the whole world wondered if they had any fight left in them. By the looks of it, this was going to be one of the lopsided championship games of all time. Boy were we wrong. Minnesota came firing out of the gate, scoring left and right. Stealing the ensuing inbounds, trapping in the corners, all leading to easy baskets. 7:00 ago it looked as if Kansas was already holding up the trophy, but now it's a good old classic college basketball dog fight.

With 180 seconds left in the game, the score was tied at 60. Minnesota had the ball, taking as much time off the shot clock as they could. With 7 seconds left on the shot clock, Andre Hollins calls for a screen. Trevor Mbakwe comes up, and picks McLemore to the ground. Hollins is left wide open for the three, and puts it right on the money, Minnesota up 63-60. Kansas quickly gets it up court, and scores the alley-oop to Jeff Withey. 63-62.

Now with 67 seconds, every second counts. Hollins takes a full 27 seconds before the offense gets into gear. He is isolated with Ben McLemore at the top of the key, and pulls up. He hits it off of back iron and Kevin Young from the Jayhawks pulls down the rebound.

Bill Self, the coach of the Jayhawks, wants to talk it over with his team. "Do you guys remember the play we added in last week during the team meeting?"

 McLemore chirps over on the side of the huddle, "I was sick that day."

"Oh… you're right. I should have told you. Well here's the play…"

The ref taps on Bill Self's shoulder. "Coach, I need your players out on the court."

Bill Self nods. "Okay, we are just going to have to run the isolation play. Everyone get off on the right side. Withey and McLemore run the two man game on the left side of the court. Jayhawks on three. 123… Jayhawks!"

 So the players walk out onto the court, and Kevin Young throws it into McLemore. He dribbles around up top for 25 seconds, then goes to work. He rolls over to the side with Withey, and passes it down low. Withey sizes up Mbawke, looking for an open shot. He sees that Hollins had dropped down to help, so he passes it back to McLemore for the open jumper. Hollins tries to get back quickly, but he's not quick enough. McLemore puts up the shot, but it hits rim and goes off. Mbakwe gets the rebound, but the whistle blows. Hollins has fouled the three point shooter McLemore.

Minnesota calls a timeout to ice the shooter, and it's a matter of moments before the players head out onto the court. Minnesota now has no timeouts left, so they must get the rebound and go. There are 4.3 seconds left on the clock, and Ben sinks the first two free throws. With all the pressure, he bricks the third one, and Mbakwe gets the rebound.

Minnesota must hurry and put up a desperation shot. He gets it out to Andre Hollins on the right wing and he flies up the court. With .3 seconds left, he lofts it up from half. For a moment all seems to go slow mo. It seems as if the ball will never get there. As if straight from a movie, the ball kisses the backboard, and tumbles down through the net. Hollins had banked in the game winner! Everyone in yelllow jerseys started storming the court with excitement and joy! Minnesota was going home a winner! Unbelievable, Unbelievable!!!