Survival Of The Fittest

(Dominiqua Ashmore: Pregame Start)

“Come on Domi!”, shouted Lovell, “Try and get past me!”

Dominiqua dribbled the basketball intensely. Her eyes shifted up and down between Lovell, her brother, and the basketball hoop. She was tall, but Lovell, despite being younger, had some height on him, and had an impressive jump. This game of theirs had been going on for at least over half an hour. Both their faces were drench in sweat.

It was now or never. As soon as she jumped, Lovell jumped with her. Dominiqua shot the ball towards the hoop, putting a little spin as it left her hands. Lovell reached up his arms to intercept, but the ball already reached over his head, and onto the rim of the hoop, where it danced around before ultimately falling through.

“Yes!”, Dominiqua shouted, “Dominiqua four, Lovell three!”

“Heh, nice job sis,” Lovell said, hands on his knees.

“Let’s take five,” Dominiqua said as she retrieved the ball.

The siblings rested on a bench by the basketball court. Dominiqua handed her brother a water bottle, which he guzzled down.

“I think you got a good chance at making the team this year,” she said.

“Really?”, Lovell asked.

“Yeah,” Dominiqua responded, “I mean, that last shot was just luck on my part, and I don’t even play basketball much.”

Lovell had wanted to try out for his middle school’s basketball team. So, during their day at the park, Lovell brought along their basketball, wanting to practice. Dominiqua was willing to help, given her love of physical activity.

((Spike Havighurst, Pregame Start))

This park and Spike have a long history. You could say that about every part of Salem, actually. There'd be a story for every corner of Salem and what Spike experienced there, but the Park was different. There are pleasant memories Spike associates with it. Balling as a small kid with his parents and other friends, BBQing in the summers, being drunk after midnight with friends. Spike could tell a lot of stories about this park.

This park has not become a place of the past for Spike, though. He still regularly passes through it, just like today where he'd be walking with Joey. It was a relaxed walk, Spike couldn't complain about the weather, Joey was happy, Spike was happy.

As he walked by the basketball court, he recognised two figures, but didn't dare to talk to them until he was close enough to confirm that they were the persons he thought them to be. And indeed, it looked like the Ashmore siblings happen to be here, too. Seemingly having played at the court and taking a break.

Spike made himself vocal, while raising his hand and heading to their direction.

"Oh, hey Domi, Lovell!"

Domi and Lovell were no strangers to him. Nor to Joey, either, after all Domi had pet sit him in the past. Besides knowing her from gym, he knew Domi from school, where she was part of the track team and swimming team. Spike was in neither of those, but briefly had considered joining either of them. Unfortunately, a week only had seven days and he couldn't afford to overload his schedule with clubs and teams.

Domi had a younger brother, named Lovell. Spike recalled him also being an athletic person like his sister. Spike smiled at the younger boy and asked joking in an encouraging tone in reference to the basketball and court.

"How's your NBA career going?"

“Hey Spike! Hello Joey!”, exclaimed Dominiqua.

Dominiqua was quite familiar with Spike. She’d see him at school much of the time, and at the gym from time to time. He had a pretty nice body, she had to admit. She was also familiar with his dog, Joey. She and her family were asked to watch him while they were gone for a weekend some time ago. Joey was a pretty fun dog to play with, and he got along just fine with Sweetie.

“Just fine, thanks,” Lovell said, in response to the NBA comment.

“We were just taking a break,” Dominiqua explained, “I totally whooped his butt.”

“You said you got lucky,” Lovell said, nudging her with his elbow.

Dominiqua took a sip of her water and cleared her throat.

“So, how’s it going?,” she asked Spike.

Spike smirked at Dominiqua's comment about Lovell. Siblings, eh?

Dom asked him how he was and without thinking too much on the question, he replied:

"I'm doing great, how about you?"

“Fine, just fine,” replied Dominiqua.

She took another sip of her water.

“Joey seems like he’s getting good exercise,” Dominiqua said, referring to Spike’s dog.

Dominiqua remembered back to when she pet sat Joey for Spike and his family, she’d take Joey on walks almost daily. When Spike got back with his family, she offered advice on how much activity to give their dog.

“Say Spike,” Dominiqua said, “I’m still a bit tired. How about you shoot a few baskets with Lovell while I watch Joey?”

Dominique noticed Joey's appearance and made a comment on it. Joey seemed happy about the comment, or at least about the familiar voice.

Spike was asked to play with Lovell. He wondered if Dominica needed a break from him. It must be hard to have a younger sibling, so he could understand that.

"Alright."

Spike handled the leash to Dominiqua and picked up the basketball. He looked at the middle schooler.

"You ready?"

Lovell stood up, tossing the empty water bottle into the waste bin by the bench.

“Sure thing,” Lovell said.

The two made their way to the basketball court. Dominiqua sat and watched as she petted Joey, who enjoyed the attention. Spike was a big dude, but Lovell was tall for his age. Not as tall as her, but the dude could move.

Lovell readied himself and got into an offensive position.

“Get ready,” he said, “I’ll be coming at ya faster than Sonic.”

Spike wasn't sure how to react to the reference to Sonic. Is that what kids these days do? Sonic?

"Alright. Bring it on."

Spike began dribbling. He walked backwards and tried to dribble around Lovell to get to the basket.

Dominiqua rolled her eyes at Lovell’s faster than Sonic comment. Kid was letting his gaming hobby slip into his basketball playing again.

Looks like Spike was trying to go around Lovell. Not to knock Spike’s abilities on the court, but Lovell was pretty fast. Dominiqua was the faster on the track, but Lovell was faster on the court.

“Watch out Spike!”, Dominiqua warned, “Lovell is quick on his feet.”

Spike suddenly raised his arms, much to Dominiqua’s surprise.

But Spike wasn't throwing the ball with the hands. In fact, they were empty.

The ball bounced lowly and Spike quickly dribbled it again to get past Lovell.

It was equally easy to trick dogs and humans with the trick of a pretend-throw.

That was unexpected. Spike tried to fake out Lovell. Very clever.

Spike tried to maneuver around Lovell, dribbling the ball at the same time. Lovell tried to block, but Spike managed to get past him. Now he was behind Lovell.

Ah, now was his chance. He threw the ball at the basket and...

It didn't land. Spike's eyes quickly tracked in which direction the ball would bounce to.

As the ball flew out of Spikes hand towards it's intended destination, it was abruptly intercepted by Lovell, who had managed to grab it out of the air. Just as quickly as he grabbed the ball, Lovell, ran up to the basket and threw the ball into the rim.

This caught Dominiqua by surprise, her mouth left agape.

Dang, Lovell managed to grab it. He was, indeed, fast as Sonic as he already started running and throwing the ball.

Spike wasn't even close enough to the hoop to try to stop it.

The ball danced around the rim, almost as if it were teasing the players. After a few spins around the ring, it finally fell through, giving Lovell the first point.

“Dang Lovell!”, Dominiqua shouted, “That was awesome! You totally stole that ball!”

As she shouted her excitement, Joey began barking with her.