Rebound: A 2nd Chance

Jason had to kill his curiosity and push the question to the back of his mind as Udonis inbounded the ball to him.

Jason stared down his new defender as he gave his teammates some time to get in position 'A defensive specialist huh?

Or at least that's what he looks like just from looking at all of his abilities. This is the first time I've run into a player like this.

One of the Silva brothers is a good defender but he didn't have the height or athleticism that this guy has. Why didn't they play him earlier? Why is he coming off of the bench?'

After seeing that everyone was in position Jason started the play. He passed the ball to DJ who was standing on the left wing.

DJ caught the ball and called for a screen from Udonis. He set the screen on DJ's right side so he began to drive in that direction.

On the pick and roll High Bridge switched as their Power Forward began to defend DJ while their Shooting Guard stuck with Udonis.

DJ pulled the Power Forward with him as he continued his drive to the basket. After seeing that he had pulled him far away enough to where they couldn't easily switch back he threw a pass to Udonis.

Udonis caught the pass and surveyed the floor. He saw Jason as he faked a baseline cut before running out from the corner toward the wing using a screen from Trell.

He saw a short opening so he threw a pass toward Jason over the head of the Shooting Guard that was defending him.

Jason caught the pass as he stood outside the three point line on the wing. He picked up his dribble and dipped the ball slightly before bringing it back up for the shot.

It was then that the figure that had gotten caught on the screen and was five steps away suddenly exploded toward him.

Just like last time he jumped after quickly closing the gap between them. Unfortunately for him he had fallen for Jason's trap.

Jason stopped the ball as it was at face level as he then waited for the defender to fly past him. He then dribbled once, took a step to the left, and let the ball fly.

The crowd watched in anticipation as the ball traveled through the air. After seeing it hit nothing but net the entire crowd started to make some noise as they cheered Jason on.

Jason turned toward the crowd and did his signature three point celebration as he ate up an imaginary bowl of noodles with an imaginary pair of chopsticks.

- - -

Back at the scorers table. Tony took a sip from his water bottle before speaking "And that's a timeout from High Bridge.

The game was pretty neck and neck at the end of the first quarter but after the first half of the second quarter it looks like Jefferson is starting to pull away."

Cameron smiled at the camera as he responded "You are absolutely right Tony. This game has been great.

Not only have we been able to see some incredible players showcase their talent but this game has been a battle between coaches too.

High Bridge was the first one to make an adjustment as they changed their defensive scheme to contain Jason's incredible playmaking.

But Jefferson didn't let them sit on the throne for long as they shocked us and the crowd by completely changing up their offense and showing us pages from their play book that no had seen before today.

But it didn't end there. High Bridge had one more trick hidden up their sleeves. Nathaniel James Brown or as his teammates like to call him Nate.

He only played around ten minutes a game coming off their bench during the regular season but even that is impressive taking into account that he is only in the sixth grade.

That's right folks you didn't hear me wrong. This child is only 12 years old. He has elite size and athleticism for his age and his defensive insticts are out of this world."

Randel nodded his head in agreement "We normally talk about Jason when we think of elite defenders at the middle school level but in my opinion Nate deserves to be in that conversation as well.

In just ten minutes a game he averaged 1.5 blocks and 1.5 steals during the course of the regular season. This dude is a dog. A pit bull.

He got the same grit and mental fortitude that Jason has. I think the main reason why he isn't talked about more is because of his quiet attitude and his lack of an offensive game.

He won't get you the same kind of highlights that a player like Jason can get you. Well at least on on the offensive end. But he will stick with his man and he will get you a stop.

And props to High Bridge. They coach is showin why he make the big bucks. As soon as he saw that Jefferson had changed their offense he made a change in his rotations and changed up his own defense.

It's already been four minutes into the second quarter and they still have Nate out on the floor and for a real good reason.

He's been chasing Jason off of screens, he's stayed in front of him on iso plays, and he's all up in his jersey.

Jason has been able to score and keep Jefferson's offense from dying but that's just because Jason is a walking bucket.

You can't really stop a good offensive player completely. Especially not one of Jason's caliber. But he has been making him work for those baskets.

Jason hasn't gotten a single easy point ever since High Bridge put Nate on him. His defensive skills might not be on the same level as Jason but he has his own advantages.

His size and wing span is something that Jason can't even compare with. Second would be his god given athleticism.

He is an all around athlete. He has great speed going forward and back and side to side. His strength lets him fight through contact and his vertical makes him a deadly block threat from the weak side.

This may be the greatest challenge that Jason has had to go through so far. Jason doesn't have the same luxury that Rudy has.

Rudy can take a break and catch his breathe but if the pattern hold true then Jason will be playing the entire game.

It's only the middle of the second quarter and Jason is already starting to show signs of tiring out.

He's been running like crazy ever since the quarter started and I don't know if he'll be able to maintain that level of activity while also staying as effective as he has been.

Luckily for Jefferson Rudy has been sitting out so far in to the second quarter. Without their main scorer on the floor High Bridge has fallen six points behind Jefferson.

But I don't know if things will stay this way after he makes his way back into the game. If I were Jefferson I would try to capitalize while he's resting on the bench."

Halfway into the second quarter and Jefferson has a small lead as the score stands at 40 to 34.