Rebound: A 2nd Chance

Jason was excited to hear that his first episode on the show was about to air. He had been anticipating this moment ever since he agreed to join the program.

He was also glad to hear that the station had agreed to let Tyreek stay with Javier and Greg. Just as he was about to thank Javier for both pieces of good news he saw a notification pop up.

[Congratulations! You have earned the following skill badge: Defensive Anchor (Bronze)]

Jason was shocked to hear that he had unlocked his first skill badge 'Finally! The days of being jealous of other people's badges is over.' Jason focused on the description of the skill badge.

[Defensive Anchor (Bronze): Your presence on the court inspires your teammates to do their best on defense. Your teammates will be more focused on the defensive side of the ball.

Your teammates will play defense with more energy and be less likely to commit small mistakes. Effect only applies to teammates while you are on the court.]

Jason was on cloud nine as he read the description 'This skill is perfect for our current situation!

With our defense getting a boost like this it won't matter if the team struggles a little bit offensively.'

Jason came back to his senses as he realized that he was still in the middle of a conversation with Javier.

Javier added "The station told me that this episode was just going to be your introduction so they won't be using any footage from your official games.

They told me that they were saving those shots for next week's episode. But hopefully you like your introduction episode. Me and Greg tried our best to have you look good haha."

He thanked Javier for all their hard work, the good news, as well as for being willing to take Tyreek and his niece in to live with them.

Javier and Greg waved goodbye as they went to go organize the footage that they captured from today's game.

Jason noticed another notification pop up but he pushed it to the back of his mind as he saw his parents and Kyle's mom walking towards the team.

Jason's parents came over and congratulated Kyle on his amazing performance. Jason's dad patted him on the back.

"That was amazing Kyle. You looked like a man amongst boys tonight the way you swatted those shots out of the air. You looked like King Kong slapping helicopters out of the air."

Jason's mom hugged Kyle "Yeah you played great Kyle. We were so proud to see you blocking all those shots during the game.

You should have seen your mom. We thought she was going to have a heart attack from how excited she was getting."

Kyle laughed "Thanks uncle H. Thanks aunty Mimi. You don't need to tell me about my mom. We could all hear her from the bench."

Kyles mom laughed before pulling Kyle into her embrace. Kyle got embarrassed thinking about his mom going crazy and cheering for him.

"Oh my gosh mom. It's not like this is your first time watching me play. You didn't need to go so crazy with the noisemakers. We could hear you all the way from the court."

Kyle's mom laughed as she hugged her child "That's the whole point of noisemakers baby and besides. Ain't nothin wrong with a momma being proud of her child."

She then cupped Kyle's face with her hands as she looked him in his eyes "And I was so proud of you tonight.

Out of all the games you played so far this was the first time I saw you so confident and assertive. This was the first time I saw you having so much fun.

I hope I get to see this side of you more often. Even outside of basketball" Kyle's eyes started to moisten but he turned his head to hide them.

"You're so corny mom. You always act like we're in some kind of TV melodrama. But I guess I love that about you too."

Kyles mom laughed as she playfully smacked her son on the head. Seeing how touching the moment was Jason felt awkward about jumping in.

Luckily Kyle's mom came to his rescue. She saw Jason and walked up to him to pull him into a tight hug "You were great out there too Jason.

I mean you're great every time you play but tonight was special. Especially when you guarded that big ol boy from the other team.

It was a literal David versus Goliath moment if I've ever seen one. You should have the faces on your mom and dad when you did that.

They were teasing me about having a heart attack but they were the ones who looked like they were about to faint haha."

Jason's dad laughed as he had a bit of a blush on his face. He patted Jason on the back "Well now that the game is done how about we go out for some food?

It's not every day that we're here in Moreno Valley and I happen to have a friend that runs a Filipino restaurant here.

He says that they serve the best Lechón in the state. Let's go see if he's telling the truth. Dinner is on me and Coach Swendel and the whole team is invited."

That night the whole team and all of their parents that attended the game went out to eat at the restaurant ran by the friend of Jason's father.

His friend was kind enough to give them a very generous discount. Otherwise the bill would have been a lot scarier than it ended up being.

Everyone had a great time and they thanked Jason's dad for the meal. On the way home Jason finally decided to take a look at the notification that he had been ignoring.

[Congratulations for unlocking your first skill badge. Now that you have a skill badge you have unlocked the Player DNA function.

The Player DNA function allows you to choose one badge to become the core of the player. Once a badge is selected the player will develop quicker in the areas affected by the badge.

Offensive badges will allow the player to develop faster offensively. While defensive badges will allow the player to grow faster defensively.

A badge that has been chosen to be the core of the player can also be activated during a game by expending DNA points.

Once activated the badge will grant other bonuses and effects on top of what the badge already does.

DNA points can be earned during a game by performing well but can also be lost by making mistakes. Once a badge has been chosen it cannot be changed for a month.]

It's a good thing that Jason's parents were in the front and couldn't see his face. His current expression was one of intense shock and joy.

Jason was so surprised that he had forgotten to breathe 'This new function sounds amazing. Not only does it have long term benefits in the form of faster development.

It also has immediate short term benefits as it allows you to activate the badge and get bonuses during a game.

First was Kyle's leap in attitude during the game, then there was Javier's good news, and now I unlocked my first badge and a new function.

Who knew that today would be so full of pleasant surprises.'

- - -

Friday night. Jefferson middle school's bleachers were packed for the first time in years as the crowd sat in anticipation for the game to start.

Tonight would be the toughest test for Jefferson as they were playing against Lakeside middle school. A school that managed to rank top ten in the county last year.

Tory sat next to Jason's parents as she bounced her legs up and down nonstop. She turned to Jason's dad "I can't believe how many people showed up to watch.

It's one thing for the home team to have a ton of fans and support. But why is the away section so packed? Did they have everyone drive down?"

Jason's dad didn't know the reason either. It was Kyle's mom who was also sitting close by that answered.

"From what I heard Lakeside middle school is a basketball powerhouse in Temecula. They managed to rank within the top ten in the county for over 10 years now.

I guess it makes sense that they take their basketball real serious. That's probably why they have so many fans that drove all the way down here."

A cheer squad started doing chants as they performed in front of the away section.

Kyle's mom grumbled "What's wrong with this school? I think I need to talk to the principle. How come we ain't got a cheer squad?

We letting a different school show us up in our own building. That is just disgraceful. Our boys deserve better than that."

After a few more minutes both teams made their way out of the locker rooms and walked out on to the court.

Both sides were going crazy making noise as they didn't want to lose out to the other. The teams lined up and shook hands.

Jason joined the rest of the starting five as he got into position for the game to start. Most of the players on Lakeside were white but they had a few black players.

One of whom happened to be their Center who was also about an inch taller than Kyle.

But unlike last time Kyle had a focused look on his face as his eyes locked on to the ball in the referee's hand.

As soon as the ball was at its highest point Kyle jumped. Not only did he jump high but the speed at which he left the floor was incomparable to the other Center.

Kyle easily won the tip-off as the ball was then passed to Jason. He was surprised as the opposing team had a defender pick him up all the way from behind the halfcourt.

Lakeside's Point Guard had a smug smile on his face "You should feel honored. We actually deemed you guys worthy enough that we watched some tape from your past games.

Your winning streak was cute but it's time you see what a real basketball team looks like. We came up with a plan just for you and your little friends."