DeviantArt (WebArchive)

“2 minutes left on the clock. The other team is ahead by 2 points. One free throw, and we’re state champs. There’s plenty of game left, let’s do this!” Kaylee thought to herself. She was the star of the Noris High School girls basketball team, and this was going to be the first state championship in the schools history since 1994. It was a big deal.

A minute ticked by on the clock. Still no free throw. Then 30 seconds. Then 15. Kaylee, panicking now (along with the rest of the team and the spectators) started making moves to line herself up for the final hope- a last minute free throw. As the clock ticked rapidly toward zero, Kaylee narrowed her eyes and shot. The ball landed on the rim- looked good enough- but somehow rode the rim and missed the basket, right as the buzzer went off. “Shit…” Kaylee said audibly, though almost more to herself. Shouts of disapproval mixed with the cheers of the opposite team, the Grange District High School, long time rivals with Noris.

Now, if everyone here was reasonable, they would acknowledge defeat and that it was just a game, show sportsmanship, and head their separate ways until next year- but, this is America, and people’s obsession with sports is a little more complex than that.

As the Grange High fans and players swarmed on the gym floor, Kaylee looked at the disappointed, almost angry glares of her teammates. They started walking toward her, and he knew they’d slam her with harsh words. She prepared herself as best as she could...