13: 011: Truth 13: 011: Truth The repair shop, coated in layers of grease, was deserted, with wrenches of all sizes strewn haphazardly across the floor, giving the impression that the shop had gone out of business.
In the break room of the repair shop, Lu An and his co-workers were glued to a television whose definition was on par with a mosaic, their faces flushed and hands sweaty.
“Move over, you’re blocking me,”
“Is it really okay to watch something this exciting during work hours?”
“What’s there to fear, don’t feel guilty, I bet every man in Jonesville is watching this!”
At that moment, a beat-up Chevrolet sedan pulled in.
The car owner, glaring at the group of mechanics who were engrossed in the television and completely ignoring him, resentfully pressed the horn.
Yet, even after the honking, he was still being ignored.
The man got out of his car angrily, burst through the glass door of the break room: “What the hell?
Are you even doing business anymore?
I’m going to complain about you guys!”
The mechanics finally noticed there was a customer upon hearing the angry shouting.
But the formerly furious driver, upon seeing the content on the TV, softened his expression instantly: “Block High School versus Isidore Newman School’s game?”
yeah, that’s right,” one of the auto repair employees answered.
I was actually rushing home to watch this game, but my car broke down on the road.
It’s too late to get back now.
You don’t mind if I join you, right?” having said that, the driver, who was just fuming with rage, started handing out cigarettes.
Seeing how the enraged customer suddenly became amicable, the employees exchanged glances.
Indeed, every man in Jonesville was watching this today!
The group sat down to watch the television, and as Block High School made their entrance, the whole arena booed.
The game was still held at Louisiana State University’s basketball court and, although it was a neutral venue, because there were more Newman School alumni present, it had almost turned into Newman School’s home court.
There was no helping it.
Block High School was always just a small institution, and most of those who graduated from here were the poor and laboring class.
As laborers, it was already great to have the time to watch a live television broadcast, let alone drop the work and go to the scene to cheer for the team.
Newman School, on the other hand, was different.
It was referred to as “Louisiana’s most elite private school.”
Founded in 1903 initially for Jewish orphans, even today, 50% of its students are Jewish.
Therefore, many who graduate from here land decent jobs.
They have money, they have time, and naturally, they occupied the entire sports stadium.
Hearing boos from all over the court, the car owner who had come to get his car fixed was very dissatisfied: “Damn it, Roger is going to shut up those condescending white-collars!”
“He definitely will!” Lu An gritted his teeth, thinking of the early mornings at five o’clock making breakfast, his receding hairline, the tough training…
Hadn’t he done all this for today?
It was Roger’s first time experiencing so many people booing in unison at the venue.
In the previous high school matches, the capacity of the sports hall was only about one or two thousand people.
But today, at the basketball court of Louisiana State University, the number had increased tenfold, as had the decibels of the booing.
Although by the bench, Coach Dell Brown gave Roger a thumbs up, and even Shaq, who wasn’t playing, was there in person to cheer for Roger.
Roger admitted he was a bit nervous.
If he was nervous, it goes without saying that his teammates were even more so.
As the team’s leader, Roger had to help them maintain a calm demeanor in the face of it all.
So, he adapted the famous quote from Georgetown University’s tough coach John Thompson, adding his own twist: “You see?
If you don’t fight, you won’t get respect.
So, let’s fight against this damn world full of disdain!
We work together to make sure these damn boos disappear completely!”
Seeing Roger shouting and rallying his teammates, Shaq couldn’t help but smile.
Shaq liked Roger; he thought he was a real man, seemingly born for the big stage.
It must be awesome to play alongside someone like that, Shaq was already fed up with Magic’s shooting guard Nick Anderson, who always choked at critical moments.
On the surface, Anderson seemed terrific, with an average of 19 points a game at a 45% shooting rate for the season.
But when the game was tense and Shaq needed support, Anderson would disappear, he would shrink back.
Look at Roger, not only did he not show any fear in such a critical game, but he was also encouraging his teammates, making Anderson seem less courageous than a high schooler!
Under Roger’s encouragement, Block High School’s starting lineup entered the court.
Before they went on, Abunassar caught Roger, pointing to the stands: “I’ve already spotted at least five scouts I recognize, from the NBA!
Roger, no matter what, today you have to give it everything you got!”
Roger nodded, took off his warm-up jersey, and revealed his number 14.
Jeff Cawthon, Roger, Terry Kite, Carl Green, Andrae Patterson – in Block High School’s starting lineup, only Roger and Andrae were nationally ranked.
But Newman School’s starting lineup was another story, with Randy Livingston, Karl Bowie, Jeremy Simmons, Andy Turner, and Ed Miller – four in the nation’s top 100, two in the top 50.
Apart from Livingston, Roger was rather impressed with Newman’s small forward Jeremy Simmons because of the scar on his face, which made him look intimidating.
Roger had a good eye; Simmons was the second-highest ranker in Newman School after Livingston, currently the 48th in the nation.