THE GIRLS had beat Jackson State 86-64 and Syracuse 72-64 to head into the Sweet Sixteen against Duke.

"Fuck I'm nervous." Jenessa groaned, leaning her head against Nika's shoulder, her fingers playing with the tips of her brown hair that had been pulled back into a slick back ponytail. "I know, but we've got this." Nika hummed, gently rubbing her shoulder.

Jenessa's eyes met Paige's across the locker room, the two hadn't spoken since they kissed that night, in the middle of the court. The brunette flinching whenever she got close, guilt had overwhelmed her, Caitlin had no idea.

cait baby 🩷

kill em out there jj

nessa babes 🤍

thank you cc

cait baby 🩷

gotta come meet me in the final four 😉

nessa babes 🤍

yeah yeah

better be watching me!

cait baby 🩷

yk me, gabs, and kate are sitting on the couch waiting for this shit to start

nessa babes 🤍

LMAO tell them i say hi

but i gotta go, ill text u after

cait baby 🩷

good luck hun!

Geno's booming voice made the brunette shut off her phone, standing up and following as everyone huddled up. "We're here, Sweet Sixteen, but no way am I going to be happy if this is where it ends. You guys have overcome so many challenges this year, and I am so proud of you all. Let's go to the Elite Eight? Yeah?" He always had a way with words, putting them up but also igniting a fire under them.

"Yeah!" They all yelled.

Nika, KK, Paige, Jenessa and Aaliyah were the starting five. Nika had the ball, her eyes scanning the court. Jenessa tried to break free from her guard with little luck.

Nika to KK, a bounce pass heading inside the paint. Jenessa ran around the three point line, Paige setting up a screen so she had the opportunity to shoot. KK passed her the ball, the brunette jumping and watching as it flew through the net. Putting the first 2 points on the board.

By halftime, it was Uconn 23-13. The girls all jogging back into the locker room, a towel slung around Jenessa's neck while she chugged back her water. She had 8 points so far, her and Paige leading the team, however none of them had yet to make a three. "Dogged that shot at the end there P." KK teased, slightly out of breath. "Oh shut up." Paige laughed, shoving the freshman.

The team preferred to keep halftime light and airy, usually sitting around and re-energizing while Geno went over plays. "Man, my three is so off." Jenessa groaned, lying on her back on the cold floor. "Gotta get out of your head girl." Ice reassured, giving her a soft smile. "Kind of hard when there's so much shit going on in there." She huffed, pulling herself up. "The whole Paige and Caitlin thing?" Azzi asked, clearly the blonde had confided in her.

"What thing?" KK asked, Ines and Aaliyah now invested as well. "Shush." Jenessa hushed them, her eyes darting around to make sure no one else was listening. "Caitlin and I are dating, but Paige is all pissed about it and well- ugh. We kissed, like 2 weeks and a half ago." She mumbled, resting her chin on her knees.

"What!" KK yelled, making the whole team look at them. "Ladies, focus up." Geno rolled his eyes, looking back at the whiteboard. "Long story." Jenessa whispered, leaning into KK.

It was 50-43 Uconn with 1 minute left on the clock in the fourth quarter, Aaliyah had just made a shot, making Nika, Paige, Jenessa and Ashlynn run back down the court. The Duke player the brunette was guarding slipped past her, being able to make a nasty pass and her teammate Brown, an easy layup. She groaned, Aaliyah grabbing the ball and passing it to Nika until Duke called time out.

"Jenessa, you have to be on her." Geno spoke, his voice loud over the screams. "I know." She nodded, spraying water down her throat. "52 seconds left, make them count." Geno nodded, releasing them back onto the court.

The last few seconds were intense, Uconn was up but not by enough to feel safe, the girls completely locked into their opponents. Jenessa watched as Duke made a shot, missing, Aaliyah grabbed the rebound and ended up getting fouled. Geno called a time out, all of them regrouping quickly.

Paige inbounded the ball to Nika, the brunette having to chase it in the backcourt, until she got fouled. Jenessa's anxiety rose every time they had to reset, the clock diminishing slightly each time. Finally, Paige inbounded to Aaliyah, who passed back to the blonde, who then tossed it to Jenessa at the corner.

Jenessa groaned as the Duke player guarding her gripped her arm, another foul being called. "This is aggravating." Jenessa mumbled to Nika as they crossed paths, the Croatian nodding in agreement as they reset once again. Gruellingly, Paige got fouled, Uconn finally taking the line to shoot 2 free throws. Jenessa's eyes followed the ball as both went in, another time out being called.

6 seconds left, 52-45 Uconn. Jenessa got fouled, missing her first free throw. She shook her head, internally yelling at herself. The brunette made the second, racking up 19 points in total, Paige with 24.

Duke had the ball, shooting for a three but it missed, Ashlynn held the ball for the final second before the buzzer sounded out, signalling their win 53-45. "Elite Eight baby!" KK yelled, throwing herself on Jenessa.

"I know thats right!" Nika cheered, the girls were all smiles, celebrating with each other. "Alright, back to hotel for you ladies." Geno patted Paige on the back, the team leaving the locker room and out to the bus. They were in Portland, and their game against USC was on Monday, meaning they had tomorrow to rest up.

[geno's favs 😘]

KK ARNOLDDD

ik damn well we aint going straight to bed right?

ice ice baby 🧊

HELL NAH

i say we hit up a club once gramps is asleep

PB

sounds like a plan

Nika my bae

duhhh

JJ (not obx)

y'all be wildin

but im in 😛

aaliyah 🤓

OKAAAYYYY

azz 🫶

text when we're all ready?

everyone hearted this message!

Jenesssa smirked at Nika, who was sitting next to her on the bus, the two glancing at their unsuspecting coach.

DENNY'S CORNER

boring ass filler chap

my apologies