Water Time-Out

My junior year in high school our basketball team made it to the Nevada State Tournament in Reno. We were excited, and a little nervous. I remember the eight hour drive from Alamo, how big the arena felt and how intimidating the crowd seemed as we began our warm ups prior to the game. For starting lineup introductions the starters were on the bench and the other players lined up on each side. The starters, after introduction, would go to the middle of the court. I was the last to be introduced and eagerly jumped up and headed to mid court to high five and chest bump the four other starters. I remember thinking as I was running to mid court that it would be a bad time to trip or fall. I then remember thinking that I might be running in a little fast to get shut down in time. What happened next was somewhat a blur. Somehow, while trying to stop and turn simultaneously, I tripped/lost footing and piled it up into the other four players, taking one down with me. I remember how quiet it was as I lay there in a heap trying to figure out what in the hell just happened. Thankfully my wit has always been somewhat better than my athletic ability. I immediately sprang to my feet and motioned to the ref that a towel was needed because there was water on the court (which there now was because my chubby little face had just slid 15 feet across the floor). The ref came over to inspect, motioned to a staff member, and like that two towel boys were on the court cleaning up the “arrant water” that had clearly caused my fall. The game was delayed about five minutes because of the ordeal.