The rest of the matches went by without much problem. There were a couple of scuffles here and there and a harsh exchange from players. But Noah would call it a success.
His second game was slower and more methodical, and he was assigned to guard the senior point guard on the other team. It wasn't as easy as guarding Leeroy, but he enjoyed the game.
They won again, this time with a little more help from McCain and Josh. At the end of all the tryouts' matches, they all lined up to hear the final words of the coach.
"Okay, thank you all for coming," Coach Lester said. "First off, give yourselves a round of applause. You all played with good intensity, and even if you don't make the team, I hope you'll come back here to continue developing your skills."
Lester allowed them to clap while he opened his clipboard and nodded.
"The following people will join our team and play games for us if they continue to show proper dedication to the game: Noah Stromer, Simon Graham…"
Once he heard his name, Noah let out an appreciative breath. He didn't really think it was possible he wouldn't make the team, but something inside him remembered the shame he felt last year.
He wasn't the same person; he was actually a very different person.
But it still lingered there, and it made the fact that he made it even sweeter. He actually was looking forward to getting the team kit so he could show his dad.
Once the coach was done, they were all allowed to sit in the bleachers as fruity energy drinks were passed around.
Coach Lester watched all the tryouts; a part of him expected them to just leave as soon as they were told they wouldn't make the team.
The people that flunked out of tryouts never returned. Even the star of today, Noah Stromer, avoided this gym for an entire year. But he was pleased to find that they remained and were talking to the seniors.
Most of them sat around Noah too, trying to talk to him since he was the only sophomore trying out for the team—not to forget his incredible performance. Lester's hard face cracked into a small smile.
It was good to see them stay behind. If they respected the effort required, he would do his best to raise them into good players.
Cam, one of the student managers, glanced from his face to the tryouts, a cheeky smile forming on his face.
"I guess this tryout was a success, Coach?"
Lester glared at the boy a little before sighing and just nodding; it was a good day.
He looked at his watch and said, "Well, I have to leave. Make sure everyone gets their jerseys and then lock up when you're done, okay?"
"The same way I do every day? Yeah, I can do that."
Lester slapped the back of Cam's head softly and left the gym, reluctantly waving goodbye to the students that excitedly waved at him.
Cam climbed up the steps and joined Noah in the bleachers. All the freshmen were asking him different questions, which he tried to weasel around.
"What do you do to train your vert? That back scratcher was insane."
I died and came back a bit stronger.
"I mostly just train at home. Deadlifts, box jumps, simple stuff," Noah lied.
"What about your shooting?" another freshman asked. "Your shot is pretty pure, any tips?"
Steal the memories from an experienced shooter.
"I was pretty good at shooting last year too," Noah said instead, which was also true. "I was just too tired to shoot properly last year. But I trained a lot at home. I have a hoop above my garage."
"Oh please, Noah, teach me how to be goated like you," Cam joked as he entered the circle. "Jokes aside, the leap you made over the summer is incredible. Good job, man."
Noah smirked and high-fived Cam, glancing over at the main team. "What is everyone doing after this?"
"Meh, McCain will throw a party," Cam shrugged. "He'll invite new players. He has a crazy pool; I'm sure you'll love it." he said with a snigger.
McCain started walking down the bleachers and the rest of the team followed, still chatting among themselves. He raised a hand at Noah and waved him over.
Noah and Cam exchanged a look and left the group of freshmen to talk to the senior.
McCain glanced at Cam when they arrived, raising an eyebrow. "I didn't call you, Fatty," he said bluntly, making Noah flinch.
But Cam didn't even glare; he simply flipped McCain off and continued following them. "You invited Noah to your place for the party, McShit?"
"Well, I'm not inviting him to have sex, so don't get excited," McCain said with a small grin. "Pull up to my place tomorrow, lil bro. Bring like two people at most though."
"Does my little sister count as one?" Noah asked as a joke.
"If she's hot, she counts as minus one," McCain scoffed. "That means you can bring three people."
Now Noah wanted to leave her at home. He shrugged and followed them to the locker room, where they showered and Cam eventually brought their team uniforms.
The Westpoint Wolves wore dark red with a wolf head as the emblem on the chest. He stuffed just the shirt in his bag and left the shorts in his new team locker. He was about to leave when Leeroy bumped into him.
They both stared at each other, suspicion glowing through Leeroy's dark eyes and indifference in Noah's.
"I don't know what you did over the summer, but I'll make sure coach finds out," Leeroy sneered quietly.
Noah just nodded and left the locker room; he had a party to get ready for, no time to waste with idiots. First, he needed to get some clothes and ask Fara if she wanted to come.
He knew what he had planned for Leeroy.