Wacko Lions: A Short Story
It all came down to this. The score was tied 103-103 with 10 seconds left on the clock. The shot will make or break our storied season that has the whole state buzzing. From going 4-22 the season before to now being 25-1 and the 2nd ranked team in the state this is a season to remember.This is the story of the Wacko Lions.
The year is 2005 and everything seemed normal. Eastlake won the Indiana state championship sweeping every team that stepped in front of them. That year while they went 26-0 and had the top scorer in the state, Tyrese Walker averaging 34 ppg. The Wacko lions went 4-22 the most wins that we had in 3 long seasons under Coach Knight. It was my senior season and even though being the all-time leading scorer in school history doesn’t change the fact without others contributing a team can’t win. Like the old saying goes, …show more content…
there’s no I in team. Plus playing in a league where only 1 team has dominated is very difficult. Something changed though, because rumor around school is that Eastlake’s 6 foot 9 center Michael Williams has transferred to Wacko due to his mom’s job transfer and arguments with coach over playing time. Wacko from then on had their hopes up higher than the sky.
The whole entire school was on our backs from the 1st day. Constant reminders during lunch, class and even during morning announcements.”Gooding morning, soon to be state champions Wacko high! Please stand for the pledge of allegiance.” Even at tryouts more than 100 people tried out compared to the 13 that tried out last year. So many people wanted to get a part of the potentially historic season. Tryouts went for almost 2 weeks which included Saturdays.After the 2 weeks that seemed to go quickly 36 athletes made up the newly improved Wacko Lions basketball team. Before I knew it the 1st practice of the season was under way.
“This year is going to be different. Everyone knows how vital Michael is going to be to this team. But don’t press into the hype. We still have to focus on basketball. Enough said let's get to work. Has anyone seen Michael?” Coach said as everyone began going to their teams.
Everyone stood in awe wondering if he was going to show up or not. Or if Michael had suddenly quit the basketball team meaning that all hopes were lost. As everyone began to look and question why they were even playing the door suddenly popped wide open. All talking paused and it got so quiet if a pin dropped everyone would hear it. It was like watching a famous person walk in a building.
“Mic where have you been?” Coach asked patiently awaiting an answer.
“I..I was in the library,” he said unconfidently. Almost like he had something to hide.
“Ok, well next time tell one of your teammates or the coaches where you’re going to be. Alright put your shoes on and let's get started.”
You would think that we had gotten the most dominant player in all of Indiana but we didn’t yet. Michael needed a great deal of improvement let's face it at Eastlake I could tell they didn’t focus on improving, but just winning. He had no jump shot whatsoever,could barely rebound and his free throw shot was below par. So bad that if Shaq came in and challenge Michael to a free throw contest he would win. Since, I’m the point guard it’s my job to help my teammates get better.While Mic was shooting after practice I went over and struck a conversation.
“Hey, I see you’re the big shot around school,” just joking around with him.
“Yeah, this is a lot different than my other school. What’s your name?” he asked as if he didn’t know who I was.
“Drew Cunningham...all-time leading scorer for Wacko high.” waiting for him to be say not for
long.
“That’s nice, well I’m Michael and nice talking to you.” he said while packing his stuff up to head home.
Before he could leave the door I had to ask him. Right at the door I ran up and to him and asked if he wanted to workout with me after practices to work on his game. He looked around to make sure nobody was looking and said yeah only if I would tutor him after school. Which I had to think about for a minute because I didn’t know if I would be able to. So I eventually said yeah because I didn’t want to miss out on an opportunity to get a state championship.
The year is 2005 and everything seemed normal. Eastlake won the Indiana state championship sweeping every team that stepped in front of them. That year while they went 26-0 and had the top scorer in the state, Tyrese Walker averaging 34 ppg. The Wacko lions went 4-22 the most wins that we had in 3 long seasons under Coach Knight. It was my senior season and even though being the all-time leading scorer in school history doesn’t change the fact without others contributing a team can’t win. Like the old saying goes, …show more content…
there’s no I in team. Plus playing in a league where only 1 team has dominated is very difficult. Something changed though, because rumor around school is that Eastlake’s 6 foot 9 center Michael Williams has transferred to Wacko due to his mom’s job transfer and arguments with coach over playing time. Wacko from then on had their hopes up higher than the sky.
The whole entire school was on our backs from the 1st day. Constant reminders during lunch, class and even during morning announcements.”Gooding morning, soon to be state champions Wacko high! Please stand for the pledge of allegiance.” Even at tryouts more than 100 people tried out compared to the 13 that tried out last year. So many people wanted to get a part of the potentially historic season. Tryouts went for almost 2 weeks which included Saturdays.After the 2 weeks that seemed to go quickly 36 athletes made up the newly improved Wacko Lions basketball team. Before I knew it the 1st practice of the season was under way.
“This year is going to be different. Everyone knows how vital Michael is going to be to this team. But don’t press into the hype. We still have to focus on basketball. Enough said let's get to work. Has anyone seen Michael?” Coach said as everyone began going to their teams.
Everyone stood in awe wondering if he was going to show up or not. Or if Michael had suddenly quit the basketball team meaning that all hopes were lost. As everyone began to look and question why they were even playing the door suddenly popped wide open. All talking paused and it got so quiet if a pin dropped everyone would hear it. It was like watching a famous person walk in a building.
“Mic where have you been?” Coach asked patiently awaiting an answer.
“I..I was in the library,” he said unconfidently. Almost like he had something to hide.
“Ok, well next time tell one of your teammates or the coaches where you’re going to be. Alright put your shoes on and let's get started.”
You would think that we had gotten the most dominant player in all of Indiana but we didn’t yet. Michael needed a great deal of improvement let's face it at Eastlake I could tell they didn’t focus on improving, but just winning. He had no jump shot whatsoever,could barely rebound and his free throw shot was below par. So bad that if Shaq came in and challenge Michael to a free throw contest he would win. Since, I’m the point guard it’s my job to help my teammates get better.While Mic was shooting after practice I went over and struck a conversation.
“Hey, I see you’re the big shot around school,” just joking around with him.
“Yeah, this is a lot different than my other school. What’s your name?” he asked as if he didn’t know who I was.
“Drew Cunningham...all-time leading scorer for Wacko high.” waiting for him to be say not for
long.
“That’s nice, well I’m Michael and nice talking to you.” he said while packing his stuff up to head home.
Before he could leave the door I had to ask him. Right at the door I ran up and to him and asked if he wanted to workout with me after practices to work on his game. He looked around to make sure nobody was looking and said yeah only if I would tutor him after school. Which I had to think about for a minute because I didn’t know if I would be able to. So I eventually said yeah because I didn’t want to miss out on an opportunity to get a state championship.