Welcome back to my journey, this week there are 3 games and the doctor said i should be able to play limited minutes in the Sunday game!
We have games on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
(At school on Monday)
Arnie: How ya feel Cap?
Marco: better than ever
(Tuesday on the bus ride to the game)
Saywer: We gotta keep this team afloat until Cap gets back boys!
Gayle High has 3 top 50 players but has been playing terribly. Sawyer has leveled up into an elite three-point shooter, becoming Kingston's go-to star, with Arnie and Marco out still.
(The game begins)
Fiest Quarter:
Gayle High shows flashes of their potential, utilizing their top 50 talent to get easy baskets with efficient ball movement. However, their poor season record shows in their undisciplined defense. Sawyer exploits this immediately, hitting three three-pointers in rapid succession with perfect form and confidence. His elite shooting forces Gayle High to respect the perimeter, opening up driving lanes for his teammates. Kingston plays with discipline and purpose, matching Gayle High's talent with execution.
Kingston High: 21 (Sawyer has 9 pts)
Gayle High: 19 (The 3 top 50 players have 8 points)
Second Quarter (Halftime)
Gayle High’s stars try to take over, showcasing impressive athleticism with powerful dunks and quick drives. Kingston High's defense struggles to contain this individual talent, but their "team friendly" offense keeps them in the game. Sawyer continues his elite shooting display, adding two more three-pointers and converting an And-1 opportunity. The score remains tight, highlighting the classic matchup of individual talent versus team cohesion.
Kingston High: 40 (Sawyer has 18 pts)
Gayle High: 42 (The 3 top 50 players have 28 points)
Third Quarter:
Gayle High comes out strong in the third quarter, going on a quick 8-0 run and extending their lead. Their top players finally play cohesively, running the floor and dominating the boards. Sawyer has a difficult stretch, facing tough defense, but he manages to facilitate the offense, finding open teammates under the basket. Kingston battles to keep the game within reach, understanding the importance of staying close heading into the final quarter.
Kingston High: 56 (Sawyer has 21 pts, 6 ast)
Gayle High: 66 (The 3 top 50 players have 41 points)
Fourth Quarter (Final Score!?)
Gayle High holds a 76-73 lead with only 4.2 seconds remaining. They have two of their top-50 players shadowing Sawyer, denying him the ball. Kingston’s backup guard barely manages to inbound the ball to Sawyer near mid-court. Sawyer takes two frantic dribbles, step-backs behind the arc with three defenders flying at him, and lofts a high-arching shot just as the buzzer sounds. SWISH. The gym explodes. Sawyer has done it again, scoring 15 points in the final quarter alone to force overtime.
Kingston High: 76 (Sawyer has 36 points)
Gayle High: 76 (The 3 top 50 players have 44 points)
Overtime (5 minutes)
The emotional high of the buzzer-beater evaporates almost instantly. Without you and Arnie to rotate in, Kingston’s starters are completely gassed. Gayle High’s three top-50 players—who have been "terrible" all season—finally show why they are ranked so high. They are fresh, athletic, and ruthless.
5:00 - 3:00:
Gayle opens the period with a 9-0 run. They exploit Kingston’s tired legs, scoring on three consecutive transition dunks and a corner three. Sawyer tries to answer, but his shots are hitting the front of the rim; his legs have nothing left.
3:00 - 1:00:
The "super team friendly" offense breaks down. Passes are lazy and easily intercepted by Gayle’s elite wings. Kingston doesn't score their first basket of OT until there is only 1:15 left on the clock. Meanwhile, Gayle continues to pour it on, playing with the swagger they’ve lacked all year.
1:00 - 0:00:
Gayle High’s star point guard hits a dagger three-pointer to push the lead to 13. Kingston misses two desperation threes in the final seconds. The miracle comeback is overshadowed by a dominant overtime period from the more talented squad.
Final Score (OT):
Kingston High: 80
Gayle High: 93
Sawyer has 36 points (0 in OT)
The 3 top 50 players combined for a whopping 60 points in the game
We fall to 6-5 and Gayle High 4-8
(On Thursday i am on the bus to the game)
Coach Gelmer: your only allowed 8 minutes all game got it
Marco: make it 10 and a deal
Coach Gelmer: 10 thats it
(The game against 5-7 Annotto Bay starts)
Kingston High (6-5) faces the 5-7 Annotto Bay. Marco is finally back in the lineup, but on a strict 10-minute time limit, meaning he will sit out the entire first half while his teammates handle the load. annotto Bay have a chip on their shoulder since they were ranked so low last week.
First Quarter:
Annotto Bay comes out with extreme aggression. They feel disrespected by their low ranking and play with a "chip on their shoulder" intensity. They dive for loose balls and play a physical, high-pressure man defense. Sawyer, still riding the high of his elite shooting lately, tries to keep Kingston afloat, but Annotto Bay's physicality disrupts his rhythm.
Kingston High: 14 (Sawyer has 5 pts)
Annotto Bay: 22
Second Quarter (Halftime)
The deficit grows. Annotto Bay’s energy is relentless. Without you to anchor the paint or facilitate the offense, Kingston struggles with turnovers. Annotto Bay hits three consecutive transition triples, fueled by their emotional edge. You are visibly frustrated on the bench, but your medical restriction holds firm. By halftime, Kingston is in a significant hole.
Kingston High: 31 (Sawyer has 12 pts)
Annotto Bay: 48
Third Quarter:
You remain on the bench for the third, as the coaching staff wants to save your 10 minutes for the final push. Sawyer finds his stroke and hits three long-range bombs to stop the bleeding, but Annotto Bay answers every basket with a gritty, hard-earned score of their own. They are playing like their season is on the line.
Kingston High: 52 (Sawyer has 24 pts)
Annotto Bay: 66
Fourth Quarter (Final Score/He’s Back)
You finally check in at the start of the 4th quarter. The energy in the gym shifts instantly. Despite being out for weeks, you are a 6'6", 220lb force of nature.
10:00 - 5:00:
You dominate the interior. You grab 6 rebounds and score 12 points in five minutes, including a poster dunk that sends the Annotto Bay bench into a stunned silence. You draw double teams, which frees up Sawyer for two more wide-open threes. The lead shrinks to 4 points.
5:00 - 1:00:
You are gassed but refuse to come out. You block a shot, sprint the floor, and finish an and-one layup. Annotto Bay’s "chip on their shoulder" starts to look like panic. You’ve turned the game into a highlight reel.
1:00 - 0:00:
With 15 seconds left and Kingston down by 1 (79-80), you catch the ball at the top of the key. You drive, draw the entire defense, and kick it to Sawyer. He misses! But you sky over everyone for the offensive rebound and put it back in with 0.8 seconds left. Annotto Bay's final heave misses.
Final Score:
Kingston High: 81
Annotto Bay: 80
In 10 minutes I have 22 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 4 blocks
Kingston High moves to 7-5 and Annotto Bay to 5-8
Next up we have our tradition Sunday game against the worst team in Jamaica Mandeville High who are 2-14
(On Sunday we arrive and the ball tips off)
Coach Gelmer said i could try playing my regular minutes tonight since its a bad team
Arnie: Get it BOYS!!
Coach Bill: Marco your PG tonight
First Quarter:
You immediately establish control. Mandeville High, despite their poor record, tries to double-team you, but your size and skill are too much for them. You score 14 points in the quarter on various post moves and powerful drives. Sawyer, now comfortable as the secondary scorer, hits a three-pointer. Kingston's defense is disciplined, allowing you to build an early, commanding lead.
Kingston High: 26 (I have 14 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast)
Mandeville High: 10
Second Quarter (Halftime)
You continue your dominant play in the second quarter. Mandeville switches to a zone defense to try and contain you, but you use your vision to find open teammates easily. You contribute 6 assists in the quarter, and your teammates—playing with newfound confidence from the presence of their star player—knock down shots. By halftime, the game is a blowout, and you sit the final two minutes of the half to rest.
Kingston High: 50 (I have 20 pts, 8 reb, 8 ast, 3 blk)
Mandeville High: 24
Third Quarter:
With the game comfortably in hand, the coaches manage your minutes. You only play a few minutes to start the third, adding a few more rebounds and points. Sawyer becomes the primary offensive engine for the rest of the quarter, hitting two more threes as Kingston maintains its large lead. The team plays smart basketball, moving the ball and executing the game plan effectively.
Kingston High: 68 (You: 24 pts, 10 reb, 9 ast)
Mandeville High: 38
Fourth Quarter (Final Score)
You sit out the entire fourth quarter, cheering on your teammates from the bench. Sawyer leads the line, finishing with a strong 25 points on the night. The reserves play well, holding their own against Mandeville's starters. The game ends in an easy, confidence-boosting win for Kingston High.
Final Score:
Kingston High: 85
Mandeville High: 50
I have 24 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks
So far in my career i have 2 collegiate offers, Arkansas Pine-Bluff and Mississippi Valley State.
Next week we have 4 games and i will be able to fully play in all 4
If you read this far, Thank You and Merry Christmas!!
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Jamaican High School Power Rankings:
1 Kingston Prep (13-2)
2 Cambridge Prep (12-0)
3 Mandeville Prep (11-4)
4 Frankfield Prep (12-2)
5 Santa Cruz High (11-5)
6 Montego Bay (9-6)
7 Alexandria high (11-6)
8 Junction (8-6)
9 Cambridge High (8-6)
10 Portmore High (8-4)
11 Morant Bay (9-5)
12 May Pen Prep (8-4)
13 Frankfield High (10-6)
14 Bamboo High (8-7)
15 Claremont High (8-6)
16 Port Antonio (8-8)
17 Falmouth High (8-5)
18 Gayle High (6-8)
19 Kingston High (8-5)
20 Annotto Bay (7-8)
21 Duncans Prep (7-3)
22 Richmond Prep (6-10)
23 Cascade High (7-8)
24 Cave Valley (7-8)
25 Cedar Valley (6-9)
26 Lacovia Prep (6-8)
27 Newport High (6-8)
28 Buff Bay (6-8)
29 Ewarton Prep (8-5)
30 Santa Cruz Prep (7-3)
31 Point Hill (8-6)
32 Long Bay (7-7)
33 Cascade Prep (5-8)
34 Hope Bay (5-7)
35 Anchovy Prep (4-9)
36 Malvern (3-8)
37 Lacovia High (4-9)
38 Lucea High (4-8)
39 Coleyville High (3-11)
40 Mandeville High (2-15)
(TOP 16 MAKE PLAYOFFS)