This was it. This was the big game that would change everything. This was the game that could either score Hudson a scholarship or make college coaches lose faith in him. It was the championship game in the final basketball tournament of Hudson’s highschool career. Since the varsity teams from both schools were mostly upperclassmen, college basketball coaches had come out to look for people to recruit for their teams. In fact, Hudson’s coach had pulled him aside after practice last week to tell him that not only would Coach Myers from his dream college, UCLA, would be going to the championship game, but he was going to specifically watch him after reading a letter from his coach and seeing videos of Hudson play in previous games. After the initial shock, Hudson had hugged his coach, something he’d never done before.

   Now here he was, getting ready in the locker room of Oakley High, with the coach of the basketball team from his dream college in the very same building, here to watch him. It didn’t even seem real. The only thing there to remind Hudson that this wasn’t some heavenly paradise was the lingering stench of sweat coming from what seemed to be every single locker in the room combined with the room itself. The lockers all had chipped blue paint, and some even had dents in them, most likely from guys horsing around whenever they got the chance. In fact, as Hudson sat on a particularly uncomfortable metal bench tying his shoes, he was pretty sure he’d seen a couple roaches scurry across the floor.

   Emotions swirled around in Hudson’s head, consuming him. Excitement, determination, anxiety. This was really happening. This was really going to happen. Today he was going to be on the court not to play his best for his team or his coach, but to secure his future. He had to do well. He’d worked so hard to get here. He couldn’t mess up now, not when this was his only shot at UCLA.

   As he waited on that bench, the past came to visit. Hudson had grown up in a small, poor neighborhood. All the houses seemed to be run down and old. The advantage though was that everyone knew each other. That’s how Hudson had gotten into basketball in the first place. He’d made friends with Daniel, who’d lived down the street.

   In Daniel’s  driveway, there was this old basketball hoop. The backboard was no longer the classic white that it had once been. It was now brown, with paint chipping off, all from the not so gentle brush of time. The net was starting to break, and it was always a gamble as to whether or not it would still be there the next day. No matter what, the hoop remained intact, net or no net.

  One hot, sticky summer afternoon when they were both eight, Daniel came to Hudson and asked if he wanted to play some one-on-one basketball. Hudson happily obliged. He’d seen basketball on the tv before, but he’d never actually played since he never had a hoop. 

  He followed Daniel down to his driveway, swatting away mosquitoes as they walked. Daniel chattered on about how the game was played, although Hudson already knew, but he was happy to listen to Daniel talk about it. It reminded him of the times his dad would enthusiastically point and explain the game while they watched basketball on the couch with his mom. He missed it. Now, his dad was more quiet and stuck in another world. Hudson knew that he still loved him, but he understood how hard it was for his dad when Hudson’s mom had died. It was difficult for him too. He missed how his mom would read him bedtime stories and give him kisses goodnight. He missed how she and his dad would celebrate any time their favorite team won a game. He missed her and the happy version of his dad.

  He and Daniel played all afternoon, right up until the sky burst into flames and the sun went down. They ran around the driveway, tasting the salt of the sweat dripping from their upper lips. They played as some of the other kids came to watch and cheered them on. They fought so hard to score as many points as they could. In the end, Daniel won because he’d had more experience, but Hudson found a new passion for basketball.

   After that, he and Daniel would play basketball together every chance they got. Eventually other kids started to join them. They made their own teams, and the parents sometimes dropped by to watch them play. It took a while, but eventually Hudson’s dad even went to watch. He saw how much Hudson loved the sport and decided to contact an old friend that was both a recreational basketball coach as well as a coach at the high school. 

   That was how Hudson’s basketball career started. With endless practice, he became one of the best on his team, and by the time he got to high school, he was just below the cut for the varsity team his freshman year. However, the next, he’d made it. He started on the bench but soon rose to the top. It was hard work that got him there, not the coach’s kindness as some of the other players liked to say. 

   Now here he was, at the championship game with the coach of the UCLA basketball team, there to watch. He’d made it. Everything had paid off. Hudson wiped his face with his hands, his eyes watery. If only his mom could see him now. Who knows, maybe she was watching over him, smiling down on him from the heavens. Hudson really hoped so.

   “Hey dude, are you ready for the game?” Jason, one of Hudson’s teammates, walked over. “I heard that Coach Myers is here to watch you, that's awesome,” Jason gave Hudson a firm but friendly pat on the back. Hudson smiled, “Yeah dude, it really is.” Jason looked at him for a moment with a small grin on his face, memories of their years playing together dancing in his eyes. “I’m really proud of you bud. You’re gonna do great.” Hudson gave him a nod, “Thanks, I really appreciate it.”
  A whistle blew. Coach was ready for the pre-game huddle. The rest of the guys stopped what they were doing and walked over. Hudson and Jason followed. 

   “Alright team,” Coach began, “This is it. This is the big game. We win this, and we’re the champions of the season. We’ve worked hard. I’ll be proud of you no matter how this goes; just play as hard as you can. Oh and don’t forget to have some fun while you’re at it. I’m looking at you seniors,” he added with a wink. Laughs echoed around the room, including Hudson’s. Coach looked down at his watch. “Alright, it’s time to get out there.”

As Hudson and Jason walked out, Jason turned to Hudson reaching his hand out. “Come on, let’s do this.” Hudson nodded, grabbing his hand, “Let’s do this.” With some pats on the back, and excitement overpowering the anxiety, Hudson went out to start the most important game of his life.