I glance up at the clock and immediately my left knee begins to do a jiggle. Is that sweat I feel rolling down my back? There is only a few minutes remaining until the game starts. The stands are mostly full with the last stragglers wending their way up the aisles and plunking down onto the bleachers wherever they can find an open spot.

Now I feel my heart rate accelerating. I dig deep and pull in a deep breath. Do you know how difficult it is to actually take a good, clean, deep breath when your heart is beginning to pound like a drum, your mouth goes dry and sweat begins to trickle? Whet can I think of to calm me down? How about the game before the last game. Now that was an adrenaline pumping great ride with almost no drops in the ball and we all played like a champion team. Yeah, that’s what I’m going to think about. That’s what I’m going to pump myself up with so that we start this game on a high note.

Seeing as I’m captain, I guess this is a good time and a good idea to help pump up my teammates. I get up and move over to where the rest of my team is milling about together. Some are just chewing the fat with each other and some are talking to themselves. Hmmm, maybe just like I was.

“Hey guys, let’s gather for a sec,” I indicate for them to come closer.

“Remember the game before last,?” I ask and see all heads nodding an affirmative.

“Well, I was thinking while we wait for the last few minutes, why don’t we each recount whatever was a high point in that game? This way we can all share in the joy again.” I turn to Robby and say, “You first.”

Robby is 6’7” and is one of our point people for setting up and sometimes getting that slam dunk when we least expected it.

“For me, guys, it was in the first quarter when I know St. Louis wasn’t expecting me to take the shot. They figured I would set up, Izzy, like I usually do. That was one of the best strategies of all time, man. Maybe we can do something like it again today but of course switch it up?” Robby asks as he looks over at me.

“Thanks, Robby, that is a great idea and I’ll see how we’re doing and make it a strategic play. What about you, Tom? I look over at our left defense man. He’s looking robust and ready as usual with ruddy cheeks and that bright red hair that no one can fail to notice.

“Guys, remember when I decided to be bold and do the double feint with Rodney?  That’s when I was able to snatch it from him and passed it to you, Kyle.” I just knew that he was going to score the basked for us. Wooo,” he exclaimed.

As I listened to my team remembering how great that game was, I saw eyes getting wider as fists pumped in victory. Oh yea, this is a great way to get ready for this game.  I jog over to my officials to get this party started. Let’s get the first point for the home team.