The locker room was deathly quiet, as if a sound would emphasize the fact that they had lost. Even Oscar quietly unlaced his shoes with a sullen look and no insults.

Derrick prided himself on his endurance, a testament to his diligence in cardio, but even he was feeling absolutely exhausted with the limited number of substitutes they had to rotate during the game. No doubt Leon was feeling it the most though, as he had played almost the whole game without complaint or really slowing down.

Coach Alex walked in just then. "It smells like loser in here."

Derrick looked up in shock, thinking he was joking. There was no humor on the coach's face.

"Not because of how you guys played," Alex added when everyone just stared at him in shock, "but because of how you're acting. Feeling pity for yourself already. I didn't know this was a camp for little kids who still believe in fairytales."

Leo was the first to find his voice. "Now hold on a se-"

Coach Alex held up a hand and Leo quieted. He continued in a softer voice."You guys want to win and I understand how losing would make you feel mad and dejected. Trust me, I do. But the response to that feeling is not to feel pity and hope that you don't experience a loss again." He was ramped back up and Derrick saw flashes of the passion he had shown arguing with the referee. "The proper response is to make it not happen again! Think back to what went wrong in the game, and also what went right. Contemplate on how you can make less things go wrong and more things go right. Losing is fundamental, but it only serves a purpose when you learn from it."

The players listened to him in hushed reverence. Derrick figured that most of them had the privilege of being good players, so they were excused from a lot of tongue-lashings since they were the best players on their teams back home. Here though, everyone was capable of being the best on some team in the country.

Coach Alex folded his arms. "Now, I'm going to add a contribution to what I think went wrong. Before I do, let me point out that I didn't dislike how we played today in the least. We fought out way back against tough competitors and forced them to finish strong if they wanted to win. Rather, I think we can be even better. And that starts with you, Oscar." He turned to Oscar who was completely caught off-guard. "I've seen you play, Oscar...not just on video or YouTube, but in person. You're usually the loudest on the court, barking orders on defense and offense, while doing your best to get under the opponents' skin when you can." Oscar's face twisted into a defensive scowl as he realized where this was going.

"Where was that today?"

"We only have seven players coach, I can't risk two techs and an ejection." Oscar seemed to be fighting to keep a respectful tone.

Coach Alex shook his head. "The referees have been instructed to be loose with the whistle, so that the game is fast-paced and entertaining for fans in person and viewing on YouTube. That's why much fifty-fifty fouls weren't called," anger momentarily visited Coach Alex's face, "outside of the terrible one they called on Derrick. You won't get a technical for normal trash talk, at the least." Coach Alex gave his words a second to sink in then continued. "If that's the reason for trash talk, what's the reason for being quiet toward your teammates."

"I don't know," Oscar said, looking away.

"Well, you'd better know by the time the next game rolls around. The team needs a vocal leader,  and you're the only one that's natural for." Coach Alex responded.

Derrick noticed Leo shifting uncomfortably next to him at that.

Coach Alex didn't have to say much after that, it was clear his point had been made. Derrick recalled that coaches weren't supposed to interfere too much, but it was clear Coach Alex's passion for the game wouldn't allow him to be a borderline spectator. 

As Coach Alex left, Derrick hurried after him. "Coach!" he called.

Coach Alex turned, residual annoyance evident in his glance. His face softened as he noticed the look on Derrick's face though, a sudden curiosity taking its place. "Yes?"

"What do you think I need to work on the most?" Derrick asked, hoping Coach Alex wasn't tired of bending the rules and gave him a vague answer.

Coach Alex paused for a moment, looking around before replying. "Your confidence and defense."

Derrick raised an eyebrow. "Confidence?" 

Coach Alex nodded. "Not in your playmaking ability, but in your presence as a scoring threat. When you show that you can consistently put the ball in the basket, your game will evolve tremendously. After all, there's more to playmaking than passing the ball and hoping the other guy puts the ball in the basket."

Before Derrick could respond Coach Alex was gone, leaving him to ponder his words. Back home, Derrick didn't need to worry about scoring himself much, but here - even though he had greater weapons at his disposal, he would need to do more than rack up assists if he needed to rack up wins as well.

Coach Alex's advice hit home. 

Derrick marched back into the locker room and made a bee-line for the showers. Judging by the smell it was long overdue.

He studied the room once he had changed into fresh, cologne scented clothes. Although the players were still quiet and focused on their own thing for the most part, there was a different element to their silence. Derrick could see the determination in their eyes which was a huge difference from before.

They were now thinking about what needed to be done.

The only one who seemed completely unaffected by Coach Alex's speech was Kyle, who was busy scrolling through his phone while smacking on a chocolate bar with the deadpan expression he usually wore.

Derrick was starting to wonder if his indifferent attitude would pose a problem for the team's chemistry but it was much too early to tell. 

Derrick found Declan waiting outside the locker room with a big grin on his face. "Yo," he greeted. "Good playing out there."

"We lost," Derrick pointed out with a shrug.

Declan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, you did, but there were coaches in the stands that might've been impressed by this three-star who played almost the whole game and kept up in his role." Declan scratched his chin idly, "Besides...you got the short end of the stick on the team roulette. Maybe you should be more reali-"

His voice faded away as he noticed the look Derrick was giving him. Derrick only realized he was shooting his best friend a nasty glare when he stepped back. "Sorry. I'm still juiced up on Coach's speech, I guess." Derrick took a calming breath. "My team is fine, we'll be fine. You'll see."

"Hopefully, you're right." Declan raised an eyebrow. "Your coach gave you a speech?"

Derrick nodded. He launched into a summary of Alex's speech and when he finished Declan let out a whistle. "That's definitely outside of the coaches rulebook," he commented.

"Same thing I thought. How has your coach been?"

"Barely said a full sentence before sending us off," Declan replied. "I figure that's how most of the coaches will play it. Our team will definitely be fine though. That leader thing you were talking about? Aaron is that and then some."

"Figures," Derrick said, recalling what he had heard about the guy.

"Hey, wanna grab some grub?" Declan asked.

"Don't you play soon?" 

"In a few hours," Declan said with a dismissive wave of his hand, "a burger and fries won't hurt."

Derrick allowed himself to be dragged outside of the bustling arena. He noticed that some of the Yellowstone Wolves players were getting interviewed in a room Declan dubbed the media room. Other than that, Derrick seemed as invisible as he did on arrival to the crowd of players and reporters that spread out across the gym.

Declan carried Derrick to a food spot that was within walking distance from the arena, hyping up the restaurant based on the web reviews he had read the whole way. Derrick had to admit, the food certainly lived up to the reviews.

He had never eaten outside of Illinois so maybe his tastebuds were just fascinated by the newness, but the burger was top tier. On the other hand, Declan didn't get a burger and fries like Derrick. He seemed intent on trying out the whole menu. After witnessing having a full course meal and calling for dessert, Derrick began to worry he had forgotten he had a game this evening.

"Don't worry," Declan had said through a mouthful of alfredo pasta. "Everything will digest on the walk back."

Derrick didn't bother to point out that it was impossible. He always wondered how Declan seemed so carefree right before a game, but the moment he stepped on the court it was all business. You never needed to worry about Declan being ready to perform.

The pair made it back to the arena with thirty minutes to spare until Declan's game. Already Derrick could see the excitement in Declan's eyes without a hint of nervousness. He waved Derrick goodbye and bolted for the locker room while Derrick focused on finding a good spot in the stands to spectate from.

He noticed familiar auburn hair in the player stands section and maneuvered his way toward it. The spectator stands were already filling up and the player stands section also had a decent amount, though not as much as in the morning. 

Derrick finally reached his target and sat down. "I didn't know you were a player in the camp, too," He said wryly.

Light brown eyes turned to study him. "I heard they don't monitor the stands that much, unless you're a bigwig that blatantly stands out," Riley said.

"And you prefer to watch from this side?"

Riley nodded. "Over there the chatter is full of talking heads critiquing players when they can't even make a left-hand layup." She shook her head. "It's sickening, really."

"Isn't that what you do as a reporter too?" Derrick asked before he could consider his words.

Riley smirked. "I can make a left-hand layup over you, Derrick."

Derrick returned the smirk, relief flooding his body at her not being offended. "I'd have to see that to believe it." 

He didn't doubt Riley's words though. Though she was short, she had a lithe, athletic body that came from either working out or playing sports.

Riley's attention turned to the court and Derrick followed her gaze. The teams were coming out for their warmups, cheered on by fans of the individual players. 

Although Declan's team was a powerhouse, headlined by the dominant New Orleans native Aaron Mayers, the team they were facing could give them serious trouble. The "Average Joes" team was anything but average and Derrick had a feeling they were a lock for the playoffs already.

As the teams started to warm up, Declan stayed loose and playful, a clear contrast to the rigid nervous energy coming off from the majority. Surprisingly, Aaron Mayers humored him, playfully defending Declan as he performed some exaggerated dribble moves and chucked up shots.

A pang of jealousy shot through Derrick but he ignored it, deciding to focus on being grateful that Declan's team wasn't full of stuck-up people he wouldn't be able to have fun with.

The Coaches watched their teams from the sideline with their arms folded, giving no advice and providing no structure to the warmups.

"Who do you think will win?" Riley asked.

"Declan's team," Derrick replied immediately.

Riley chuckled. "Not bias at all, huh?"

Derrick smiled. "Of course I am, but that's because I know personally how good Declan is. His game fits Aaron Mayers' playstyle as well. Of the top-rated players here, Aaron has the best supporting cast around him, and Declan easily leads that unit."

Riley took some time to respond, intently focused on the warmups. Derrick imagined her journalist mind working, comparing the different atmospheres and differing body languages. "I don't think it'll be as easy as you make it seem," She said finally. "This team they're facing will be a real test."

Before doubt could seep into Derrick's mind at her words, Declan made eye contact with him as he was putting on his signature headband. His face morphed into a broad smile and he give Derrick a thumbs up which he returned.

"He'll be fine."