Strong

Roller coaster games

go with the season.

Let’s build it up.

Hard practices

Jammed fingers throb

Banged knees

A loss that hurts deep

Together, we grow…

…strong.

Rivals come at us

trying take us down.

Coach yells the mantra.

“Tough D”

“Hands high”

“Cut the baseline”

“Take care of the ball.”

Together, we breathe...

...strong.

Down by seventeen.

A title on the line.

Let’s chip away.

Crash the boards

Teamwork passing

A three

Steal the ball and go

Together, we play…

...strong

On into tournaments,

a David with a stone.

Let’s raise our chin.

Look ‘em in the eye

Let them see the fire in ours

Here we come

A team that plays hard.

Together, we stand…

...strong

A W in the Book

Tonight is not for a title or trophy,

Just the last game of the season.

Tape the ankle, wear the colors,

Roll the neck, and pound the pads.

It’s time. Time for a W in the book.

Look at the faces next to you

And make an oath right now,

That you will step it up and play

Right up to the final whistle

And share a W in the book.

We have had our heartache

Plus, bruises, crutches and flags.

Yet, tonight if we play with heart

Deep from the fiber of our soul,

Forever will be a W in the book.

C’mon boys, rally round the ball.

Yell and cheer like champions.

Let the field echo with our cry

Let our spirit, unbroken, fly!

And put another W in the book.

Fireworks

Ready, set, explode.

The squad bursts into motion.
"Whatever It Takes!"
rattles the fans.
Cheers shake the roof.

The mat pops with tumbles,
hand springs and cartwheels.
The Audience watches the
flash and sparks of spirit
erupting into pyramids
with flyers shooting
high into the air.

Sounds vibrate the gym.
A calliope of tucks, tumbles and toe touches are
pinnacled with elevators, extensions
and double twists
bursting skyward.
The crowd applauds the
choreographed motion of exuberant skill that
explodes and illuminates the mat
in a spectacular display
that is a rowdy, beautiful cheer
of Fireworks!

Tough Chick

My muscles are pool noodles.

    My ankle is swollen.

I have bruises and a floor burn.

    But I will play on;

        I am a tough chick.

The ball was alien.

    My hands were dead fish.

My head unclear with trash talk.

    But I will play on;

        I am a tough chick.

Like in movies and in history,

    Like in this game and the others,

There are women who stood tall and said,

    I will play on;

        I am a tough chick.

So I will shake it off,

    And I will face all doubts.

My ankle is taped.

    Time to suck it up and go.

Pass me the ball and be ready!

    I will play on;

        I am a tough chick.


For Grace

In the Game

Stop the ball.

Hands high, shoulders low

Eyes focused like a huntress.

She defends the court.

Shuffle and run; run and shuffle

Denial is her purpose.

Ball!

Hungry, a split second to swipe

She pounces on a lose ball.

Banging against her opponent

Bone slamming wood

Skin scorching the wax.

Dish it off.

Pass to the guard

Her knee is bruised,

Burning from the slide.

Sweat trickles at her temple.

Strands of hair dance as she moves.

Pop a pass.

Swing it right and cut.

Reverse the ball back around.

Weave through and set the pick.

Zap, the ball slams her hands

Drive the lane, quick and sure.

Delicate of the glass.

Step high and power up.

Soar above the hands.

She rolls her wrist with grace.

A gentle kiss in the square.

Her eyes shine then flicker.

Stop the ball…

Set It Up

SET

Commands coach

As the guard crosses mid-court,

Arm raised, two fingers out.

Two, he yells, running the offense.

Forward cuts to the high post.

Center drops down the paint.

The ball passes left,

Reverse, swing it round.

Shuffle, step, pick is set.

Turn, bounce pass…..

IT,

However, had started on day one

When coach called all to the base line,

Running passing drills, lay-ups,

Conditioning with sprints.

Then it became the go to play,

The bread and butter routine,

Going for the bucket.

Only here, it varies with

Three on the clock, down by one.

UP

Goes the ball,

From the fingertips with patience

To the hoop with urgency;

A title on the line.

A touch on the glass,

Held breath, roll on the rim,

A cheer from the crowd.

Completes the play that took a season.