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Re: "A Look in My Eyes" - Journey Of 5'4" Guard Michael Kane
On the same day...
"At guard, 5 foot 9, Michael Kane!" I jumped off the bench and walked through the line of our team reserves high fiving them each.
My mind started to refresh on how Yasogami played as I saw them again meeting up with us on the floor. Andrew Mark was their starting point guard, he lived down the street from me and I use to see him at the YMCA playing ball sometimes. He couldn't make a shot if his life was on the line but he still was able to get by in basketball because his speed and ball handling.
• • •
"He can't guard me." I said after nailing my ninth point in the first quarter.
"Technical foul, unsportsmanship like conduct on Polk." Announced the official.
I cut myself off from starting an argument about the call but then I calmed myself down and shook it off. We were dominating this quarter and I didn't want to risk being benched because coach sure was always quick to put me on the seats.
--
"Setup Knight Roll" I roared as I trotted up the court.
Immediately a double team swung out towards me before I could make a move. This was one of the first times I recalled being double teamed so much in a single game.
"I'M OPEN!" Doug boomed as he made a clear cut baseline unguarded. I failed to make the pass and ended up giving it up to Troy who headed up the wing and made the quick pass to Doug who still remained open.
"Mike look at the f*cking floor, damn." Troy said while transitioning back. "This isn't just a regular game."
"I can't see over the help! He's like 6'4!" He paced by me unresponsive towards my statement.
--
"Michael I'm subbing." Said Stanford coming from behind me.
I rushed off the court along with all the starters as the buzzer rang signaling the substitution on the floor. We were up by beyond 25 points in the fourth quarter with my leading with a total of 20 points. I knew I was done for tonight... It all made sense overall but I sure hated being benched on good nights like these.
• • •
I arrived back at home at around 9:00 after the game. We ended up winning the game 68-36 and were officially moving on to the super sectionals. The PA announcer ruled that I was elected as the player of the game based on mobile results from the crowd attendance. I had 20 points, 4 assists, 3 steals, and had a great shooting outing going 8-13.
I still felt I had a sketchy game because I was missing a lot of opportunities and open teammates.
I checked my phone before opening my car door. From the lock screen it displayed one missed call and voicemail. I proceeded unlocking the phone and played the voicemail, saying it was from Markel.
I paced around with disappointment, not sad but just upset that this was happening to me. Markel had gotten out of jail apparently and he was after me...I know what your b*itch a** told the f*cking police now you going to pay for that sh*t and I swear. Watch your back you lil lying b*tch.
Last edited by beast10; 12-03-2013, 06:31 PM.Comment
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Re: "A Look in My Eyes" - Journey Of 5'4" Guard Michael Kane
Well that escalated quicklyComment
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Re: "A Look in My Eyes" - Journey Of 5'4" Guard Michael Kane
February 13th, 2015
"And a huge game all ends with a victory going to Polk." Announced the PA.
We probably just played the biggest game against Grandview the history of Polk will ever see and I was bound to go down as a negative factor at the end of the day despite scoring twenty two.
• • •
"That was a crazy a** game y'all." Stanford said speaking about our win. "State semifinals next though."
"Hell yeah. That was crazy as hell, feels like it's all a dream." Said Troy who seated himself in the back of the bus.
Coach eavesdropped between the two's conversation, "It's all reality you guys, all of it leading to the path of the state championship we're on our way to. We're Polk basketball and with that comes winning."
I remained silent. I felt and knew I was responsible for making the game such a hassle. All my mistakes racked up as I tried to be the hero of the game and I failed on every extent. I believed I played so bad that coach would probably send me back on the bench next game and start Stanford this time. Sure we won the game and all but it was in a total of four overtimes but before all of that we were down by 12 and 15 as it seems and I continued and continued to be benched making the stupid mistakes I made. And when I was on that bench I bellowed knowing that our season was bound to be over because of how terrible we played.
"Hey, good game Michael." Anton stood besides my seat before plumping down on the one directly across from me.
"No I played f*cking horrible. I nearly costed us the game like ten times." I said in a disgrace of myself.
"But we won and you scored like twenty five..., bashing yourself like that will only make things worst next game."
"Coach isn't even going to PLAY me next game." I said adding extra emphasis on the words.
Then the conversation died as I sat in the seat alone flashbacking on every single mistake I made. I threw my duffle bag in the isle as I began recalling on each of my turnovers.
"Damn, the f*ck is wrong with you." Troy emphasized as he threw my bag back in my seat.
I ignored the voices directed to me and put my headphones on and tried to brainwash myself of the game. Sure I liked winning but not when all the ones around me were the reason for it and I was just that sorry point guard people from the crowd gave the face-palm to.
Will probably do editing to this tomorrow making it go more in depth but I got lazy. Lol my bad.Last edited by beast10; 12-02-2013, 10:40 PM.Comment
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Re: "A Look in My Eyes" - Journey Of 5'4" Guard Michael Kane
Grandview Bears at Polk Knights Feb 13, 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH OT SCORE Grandview (9-7) 18 21 17 15 38 109 Polk (16-1) 11 19 14 27 41 112 Grandview Bears STARTERS MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Alberto Adan (So.) 48 11-23 3-6 10-10 7 8 3 0 9 35 Kendrick Gene (So.) 46 5-11 2-3 0-0 2 6 3 0 7 12 Thurman Burt (Fr.) 41 8-12 2-2 0-0 5 3 1 0 1 18 Waldo Demetrius (Fr.) 37 10-22 0-0 8-9 7 2 0 0 0 28 Oliver Carlos (Sr.) 43 3-5 1-2 2-2 9 4 3 0 2 9 BENCH MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Maurice Sergio (So.) 12 1-1 0-0 0-0 6 0 0 1 2 2 Johnson Freddy (Jr.) 4 0-0 0-0 0-0 2 0 0 0 0 0 Darwin Refugio (Sr.) 4 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 Kim Aubrey (Jr.) 3 1-2 0-0 1-1 0 0 0 0 0 3 Cletus Russ (So.) 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Gullermo Kirk (Sr.) 2 1-1 0-0 0-0 1 1 0 0 0 2 Gary Marion (Jr.) 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 0 0 0 0 0 TEAM TOTALS 40-77 8-13 21-24 41 24 11 1 21 109 Polk Knights STARTERS MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Michael Kane (So.) 25 7-21 3-11 5-5 1 3 3 0 3 22 Troy Monroe (Sr.) 44 23-32 1-4 1-1 2 7 3 0 5 48 Gustavo Forrest (Fr.) 41 3-7 2-5 3-4 11 0 1 1 1 11 Doug Micah (Sr.) 34 3-5 0-0 0-0 3 2 2 0 1 6 Augustus Rolando (Sr.) 41 3-8 0-0 4-4 6 1 3 0 1 10 BENCH MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A REB AST STL BLK TO PTS Stanford Cleveland (Sr.) 14 2-4 0-0 0-0 0 7 1 0 0 4 Ted Ted (Jr.) 13 1-2 0-0 2-4 2 0 0 1 1 4 Van Branden (Sr.) 10 0-0 0-0 0-0 3 0 0 0 0 0 Romeo Jamel (Jr.) 10 1-1 1-1 0-0 1 2 0 0 0 3 Mohammad Jamey (Jr.) 8 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Anton Malcom (So.) 5 0-2 0-0 0-0 1 1 0 0 1 0 Odis Ahmad (Sr.) 2 0-0 0-0 4-4 0 0 0 0 0 4 TEAM TOTALS 43-84 7-21 19-22 30 23 13 2 13 112
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Re: "A Look in My Eyes" - Journey Of 5'4" Guard Michael Kane
February 14th, 2015
"Michael." A familiar voice said from a distance. I turned around to see to quickly realize it was Markel. I thought of turning back around and taking off on a sprint but I changed my mind and stood there.
"What do you want man." I said as the fear built up in me.
"You, you lied to the police and told them I sent burglars to your house. I had to serve a f*cking month because yo lying a**.
"I didn't lie because when they came in and the alarm went off they said something like Markel said there was no alarm system. So nah I'm not even lying, the f*ck are you talking about. And besides you bout the only dude named Markel in this whole township AND you even told me about hitting licks and stuff."
Markel scratched his into hair and raised his eyebrows, "Look here, I would bust a cap in you but I'm smarter than that. But you don' f*cked up part of my life and I'm not letting you out this easy . . . I'm gonna make a deal with you, I know damn well you play AAU so you get me on the team and tell the coach nothing but positive about me, or else you will be dealt with."
That's it, I asked myself. "Ok I'll try to email him today then."
"Alright cool and remember what I said too. I'm not playing around..." He walked back down the sidewalk and disappeared from my sight.
This deal was more beneficial to me than him because if he's as good as he seems, I've got another 3 months with a great player on my team. But what if the coach checked his record or something? Would he lose trust in me because I lied saying he was such a good person?
I checked my Twitter after a while and saw a few tweets involving me in them.
Spoiler
Then I sent in the email to our AAU staff to fulfill Markel's deal.
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Hello coach this is Michael Kane. I have a friend who'd like to also try out on the 28th. Not only is he a great player but he is also a good teammate so I'm thinking he could help us mount more wins onto the schedule.
Just wanted to let you know ahead of time, thanks.Last edited by beast10; 12-03-2013, 11:31 PM.Comment
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Re: "A Look in My Eyes" - Journey Of 5'4" Guard Michael Kane
February 16th, 2015
"— One step away from our final destination we've been working towards all season. We go out there and we do exactly what we're here for. Nothing silly, Today we're all about winning, not a ball is life mixtape. We've got the believers on this team and I don't want any let ups today just a full 100% given effort from each one of you individuals. And those of you who are sitting here nervous, I've got a quote for you said by Robert Anthony... You can have anything you want if you are willing to give up the belief that you can't have it. We are not doubt the best team if the state of Ohio but in order to succeed to our max potential we've gotta KNOW we're the best."
Today was bound to be the biggest game of my career so far. The game to get us to the state championship all relied on this game against Middleton...
"Michael, you had a little let up last game and we've discussed it but I want to tell you today I'm not looking to see any of that bullsh*t you were doing against Grandview, if I do you're out. So just keep cool and don't settle on that three pointer unless it's a corner three. Let the game come to you and don't force too much, keep in mind this is the semi-finals." Coach said while he walked along the sidelines of the Value City Arena floor.
"Yeah coach, I've got it. I spend a lot of time last night thinking about that game and I realized a lot of the mistakes I made. Today will be different coach." I hustled to the backcourt as the tip-off timer ticked at eight seconds.
• • •
"State, state, state!" Cheered the fans as we leaped and galloped around the court celebrating the 78-67 victory over Middleton. Me and Troy were unstoppable combining for a total of 52 points just by ourselves.
I started towards the locker rooms to meet up with the team but I was called over by Troy who stood with media reporters so I jogged to the side of the court and gave them my attention.
"We are joined here with guards Troy Monroe and Michael Kane after their win that will advance them to the Ohio state championship. How does it feel?"
"Well it's an amazing feeling. My season has been dedicated towards all motivation to get better and to finally earn the starting position and to be here standing with you all talking about this is amazing." I said trying to retrieve my normal adrenaline.
"Yeah it is great. I always was told to end on a high note so this is an expectation for me before I leave off for college." Said Troy.
"Michael how does it feel to achieve this alongside another top prospect in Troy Monroe?"
"He's a great teammate and I enjoyed playing with him this year and we're going to finish strong at the state finals in a few days. I can guarantee you that."
"Thanks for your time Michael."
"No problem." I pointed at the crowd as I strolled to the locker room with Troy.
"You got skill Mike. Its been a great season playing with you."
"Same, man. Do the same thing you do here at Kentucky next season."
"You already know."
---
We busted into the locker room doors and received a round of applause. "We did it yall! We going to state!" Stanford exclaimed.
It sure did feel good to be appreciated by the team finally. I walked to my locker which said "Amir Williams" above it.
"Good game Mike, you probably gonna have all the colleges after you now. I never seen a sophomore get buckets like you." Said Augustus as he took his basketball shoes off.
"Thanks bro, you ever end up getting any scholarships?"
"Nah. I just talked with some JUCO coaches but I don't even know if I want to continue to ball, it's not as fun any more."
"Basketball, not fun, huh?" I disagreed but in a joking way.
Augustus laughed and continued changing as I did the same.
Man, the 4A state championship... I can't believe I'm living this life.
Twitter FeedSpoilerLast edited by beast10; 12-03-2013, 09:52 PM.Comment
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Re: "A Look in My Eyes" - Journey Of 5'4" Guard Michael Kane
February 17th, 2015
"And the clock is ticking down score currently 50-48, Michael Kane with the basketball in hand, appears he's going to take the final shot to win the game. He receives a pick, flies past, stepback, it'll count! Oh and it's off, Pine Valley are the Class 4A State Cha—"
"Nooo, huh, what?" I woke up and realized it was only a dream yet I remained devastated for a few more minutes. Today was the big day, the state championship.
• • •
I went through the lunch line grabbing each of what was offered. I glanced at the chicken sandwich that always ended up looking like last week's leftovers. Looks like I'm not eating today...
"Big game today Michael." Said the janitor who stood near the line checkout.
"And a big win is coming to Polk Mr. Levingston." I said as I passed by.
---
I set my tray onto the lunch table, "So today gonna be y'all last game."
"Yeah... You better keep Polk basketball alive. It's really all up to you, everybody graduating this year." Cleveland said.
"They still got JV but... then again, they suck. I'm gonna miss this place, man." Augustus added.
"Yeah imma represent well. But somebody gotta throw a party if we win this game today. And I mean a huge party." I said with a smirk.
"Hell yeah, you already know. Troy had one last year and it was packed." Cleveland interjected.
"We definitely winning then." I snickered.
• • •
Once we all gathered around the game plan board coach began the pregame speech in a booming heroic type of voice, "And this is it. The biggest game of our entire season. Opponents, Pine Valley, they're no joke, they were undefeated almost the entire season and they did it without ease. Their forward can bang down low but can even step out on the perimeter. This game is gonna all be about communication, I can tell that now, if we fail at that aspect we're going to really crumble. We're gonna make mistakes and I understand that, that's just the way it is, but each time it occurs we just need to go right back and recover.
We have to fight for everything we get out here tonight, they are a great defensive team and I guarantee you they won't give us anything easy. One slip up and they'll be on the other end making the fast break play.
Today we give it our all and we'll return home with the trophy in hand. We're not settling for anything less. Because that less is failure and complete failure is unacceptable in Polk so gentlemen let's get out there and win this game."
I laced up my sneakers, I choose my breast cancer awareness Hyberdunks to represent my mom today. That made this day even more important than it already was and I didn't want disappoint.
"You ready for this?" Anton said with slap on my back.
"Can't none of them out there guard me. I never been this determined in my life." I urged in a calm tone, ready to get the game started.
"Let's go then!" He said fist pumping me.
---
I sat down with the rest of the starters and waited for my name to be called in the introductions. Thoughts motioned in my mind, I was ready for this.Comment
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Re: "A Look in My Eyes" - Journey Of 5'4" Guard Michael Kane
Here we goComment
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Re: "A Look in My Eyes" - Journey Of 5'4" Guard Michael Kane
This is awesome and I'm now following. Great Story.Comment
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Re: "A Look in My Eyes" - Journey Of 5'4" Guard Michael Kane
You got me pumped with that last post!Comment
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Re: "A Look in My Eyes" - Journey Of 5'4" Guard Michael Kane
When is that update coming? I can't wait for it lol.
BTW is Michael as lucky with the ladies as Braeden is? LolComment
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Re: "A Look in My Eyes" - Journey Of 5'4" Guard Michael Kane
The same day...
"Doug shoot the ****ing ball man! You have a wide open layup!" I exploded on Doug in the act of transitioning back to defense. I not only wanted to win this game, but I also wanted to have a good statline to display and nobody on the team was making it easy for me in the early stages on the game.
---
By the end of the first quarter we trailed Pine Valley 18-22 as we quickly learned how lethal they were beyond the arc which was the opposite of how coach explained them. He told us they were an attack team but from what we went through so far it was clear that they avoided the paint at all costs and slept on the three point lines and still had a great deal of success.
Then at the same time I silently blamed it on coach who would initially call out our defense and it was always zone which made absolutely no sense whatsoever. Our team was terrible at zone defense unless the opposition forced the ball into the paint and we often got a steal in the process but besides that we got destroyed when using zone. Obviously coach hadn't gotten the memo yet.
---
"I'm open, I'm open!" I echoed from the right wing of the court. I received the ball and waited a swift second to see how my defender would react and then I launched the shot, clank, another brick to add to my totals. I was shooting terrible on the night and after a timeout following a steal and fast break by us, I was taken out of the game in a response.
I stumbled onto the bench mounted with frustration. I was no doubt the best player on this team behind Troy yet it always seemed like I played less than all the starters and was benched right after I made a single mistake.
Coach Santiago didn't notice my body language but he still walked up to me after I sat down, "Michael back off that three point shot. It's not doing you any well so no need to keep firing them up." He said as he glanced back onto the court. "I'm not going to have you on the bench for long but I need some more passing out there when I sub you back in."
"Coach I am passing but Augustus and Doug won't shoot the ball on the cuts. They're not making any sense out there."
He nodded, "Just sit tight. I'll have you back on the floor in a minute."
---
The game began to go our way in the third quarter. It was low scoring but it became enough for us to redeem ourselves and gain the lead going into the fourth. Possibly the scariest moment I of the entire game knowing that we were eight minutes away from crowning the champions.
Everything went smoothly for us but Pine Valley wasn't letting up themselves either. They kept a good contest with us and Troy's matchup gave him hell from the perimeter because of the zone coach constructed.
Eventually I knew there needed to be change in the game-plan so I hollered at coach, "This zone isn't working!"
"Set back up to man to man then . . ." He said from the sidelines. "Pay attention to the floor!" I reacted just in time to stop my their point guard who tried to zoom past me when I wasn't paying the game any attention.
---
We were now was tied at sixty four with seven seconds remaining in the final quarter. We'd just snagged the rebound from the Falcon's miss and I received the ball and threw an outlet to Troy who transitioned on the fast break quickly but he fumbled the pass and Pine Valley regained possession but were forced to throw a full court heave that wasn't any where close to the rim.
"Another overtime game..." Said Doug.
"Maybe if you would've shot the ****ing ball more often we would've been won this already." I responded frustrated with the result. I should've crafted something myself instead of doing some dumb stuff like I did.
"Chill out Mike. I saw people with better looks therefore I passed it to them."
Coach Platt noticed the argument as we moved closer towards the bench seats placed out for us. "You guys calm down. We don't need sudden team chemistry issues, especially at a moment like this."
---
Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrn nnnnnnnnnnnnn! I looked up at the scoreboard that flashed repeatedly Final Score, 75-70. I was stuck in the moment as I froze up with my current facial expression for about 5 seconds then, I skyrocketed all throughout the court with excitement of a milestone I'd remember for the rest of my life. Some of the guys cried and some cheered just like me but all in all, we'd done it, we were the 2015 4A state champs.
• • •
I sat in the locker room with a huge grin on my face as coach ranted about how pleased he was with us and our great season. I had a bad game shooting I guess but today we achieved what we believed and I'd take that over a bad game any day.
Only thing that I was thinking about was that final score still. This year had been so amazing and really showed me that hard work actually did pay off.
"We earned this yall!" Troy said while holding the trophy with pride. "This is what Polk is all about, and we the seniors of this team are hereby handing the legacy down to the future generation!"
Troy handed the trophy to me in a conclusion of the short speech, it was like being handed the keys to a Ferrari to me, Polk basketball from here on out was mine and it was up to me to continue the legacy.
Last edited by beast10; 12-05-2013, 12:12 AM.Comment
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Re: "A Look in My Eyes" - Journey Of 5'4" Guard Michael Kane
The floor is now yoursComment
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