Passing Fancy

From: The Book of Mario

Yep, another basketball story…

Entering our final year of high school, many members of our Aloy’s group chose to play basketball. Being our final season, we were out for more fun, rather than playing seriously.

Well Sam and I were, anyway.

During the team selection process, everybody had to play a game. Teachers and designated Team Captains then chose who would be suitable members, bearing on their skill.

Somewhere in the middle of the game, I led a two on one fast break, down the right hand side of the court.

The defender stood still, just above the key.

I dribbled even faster towards him.

I jumped into him, spun and attempted a behind-the-back pass to my teammate, who was on the left side.

I was called for a travel.

The ball had lodged itself between my passing arm and my curvaceous profile.

 
Tipped Off

From: The Book of Willie

In retrospect, the compulsory sporting program in our school did more than eat up half our weekend and two afternoons. It made us get off our asses and participate in extracurricular activities, which we would otherwise never do. It kept us active, competitive and entertained.

Many in the Aloy’s group chose to play basketball as their Summer sport. There are lots of stories associated with our basketball capers. But this particular one is perhaps the most revered.

After a loose ball call, the Aloy’s team retreated to the bench for a timeout. 20 seconds passed and the players were back on the court. A jump ball was then called to resume play.

The ball was thrown.

The ball is tipped towards Willie.

Willie catches it, and moves towards the ring.

He takes the shot.

It goes in.

His teammates get angry at him.

He realizes that he had just scored on his own basket.

 
Licensed to Laugh

From: The Book of Ivan

One of the immediate problems the Aloy’s group faced after leaving high school was the age gap. All group members were only separated by one year. But it was the one year that did count. The social line between adults and minors was drawn across the group. But it did not matter. We were always shrewd enough to get around it.

But there’s always an exception.

One night, during the limbo period between the end of high school and start of university, Ivan, Willie and Justin made their way into Bar Ace. Upon entering the premises, the three men were asked to show proof of their age.

Ivan, lost – “I’m sorry, I don’t have my License on me.”

Bouncer, kindly – “That’s fine mate. How old are ya?”

Ivan, even more lost – “Err…”

(Pause)

Ivan, light bulb on his head - “18.”

Bouncer, unconvinced – “Sorry mate.”

What’s in a name?

From: The Book of Sam

University presented to our group many new opportunities that would seemingly enhance our chances of ‘getting some’. Being a group of guys, from a guys school, we were easily misled into thinking that the prime time for such action would happen at Asian Dance parties. This was probably due to the fact that Sung Hi Lee advocated ninety percent of these.

*Yum*

One of the more memorable Asian Dance parties was held in One World Sport, early in our first semester of University. By this stage our group had a fair idea of what to expect from the girls that went to these parties. Yet surprisingly, not many had dared do anything about it.

This was all about to change.

As I was dancing to Montell Jordan’s ‘This is how we do it’ my eyes began scanning the club. I immediately noticed a girl who was dancing with her friends.

She was so cute.

Two or three more songs passed, though my eyes never left their circle. What made me even more intrigued was the fact that her group was completely female.

Sam, yelling in my ear - “What are you looking at?”

Me, yelling in his ear and pointing – “She’s not bad, eh?”

Sam, checking her out – “Yeh, I like the one in the white better.”

I looked at the group and saw who Sam was eyeing.

Diagnosis – Delicious.

Me, yelling in his ear again – “Go chat her up!”

Sam, confident – “Ok…”

I watched Sam weave through several dancing circles, and straight to the girl in white. I couldn’t make out what he was saying, but I felt a sense of happiness and pride. I’d never seen him go for a random spade. I thought to myself that this could get interesting.

Hmmm…

Weird. Within 30 seconds he was heading back to our circle. It was hard to read his thoughts.

Me, confused – “What happened? What did she say?”

Sam – “Well I asked her for her name…”

Me, excited – “And…?”

Sam, disheartened – “She said she didn’t have one.”