“Concrete BackBoard”

By
Jacob Santana
FADE IN:
INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYM — DAY

The gym is full of anticipation. The sound of sneakers on the hardwood

floors, basketball bouncing, and the voices of Coach Perez and the students
echo. A high school basketball tryout is in full affect.

Coach Perez is an seasoned coach, he’s used to winning but he never lets
that get in the way of how he treats his players. He’s observing players from
the sidelines, standing tall with his arms crossed.

Coach Perez
(To his assist Coach)
We only need to pick up two more players

At one end of the court, we see Shannon, a Dominican teenager with a lot of
heart, she wears a worn out pair of sneakers, her jersey is too big for her, her
shorts hang way below her knees affecting how fast she can run. She’s can
feel her gut emptying from the nerves but she is still determined.
Shannon
(To herself)
Don’t mess this up, you got this

Shannon then takes a deep breath and jogs out the girl locker room and onto
the court. Her best friend Jenny, a cocky, confident player, pats her on the
back as she passes.
Jenny
Wassup Shan, you good? Don’t think to much. You got this. I remember what
you did at the tourney in 189

Shannon
(Nervously)
 I know, but this is little different. Coach is here.

Jenny
Girl just play your game. Don’t worry bout that old man. This team needs the
defense you bring.

Shannon smiles, trying to mask her nerves.

The rest of the players make it out and now are all waiting lined up at
baseline. It must be about 18 players.
Coach Perez
Alright guys, I hope you seen the white boards. I wrote what groups you are
bunched up in. With that being said let me see group A first.

Shannon and her group walks up, they are passed basketballs. Shannon
starts to feel the pressure as she’s waiting for her turn in the layup line.

Shannon
(Whispers to herself)
You got this, this is just a layup. Don’t rush your two steps.

Shannon misses her first two attempts, and some of the players start looking
at each other with a smirk.

Coach Perez
Come on, Kid. Focus.

Shannon Shakes it off and starts starts dribbling faster towards the rim as
she goes in for a layup, but this time missed terribly. The ball bounced
awkwardly off the rim.

Coach Perez
 Alright group A. Let’s move on to ball handling, I set these cones down I
wanna see you guys put the ball between your legs once you get to the
cone.

CUT TO:
(Flashback)
Ext. 189 park basketball court – night
It dark out. The park lights shine over the basketball court. Shannon is out
their practicing while James watches her from the three point line

James
Slow down. You need to find a good pace.

Shannon tires to dribble around the cones, but still isn’t getting it.

Shannon
(In frustration)
I don’t understand, the ball isn’t bouncing the way I need it to, why did you
wrap it in a plastic bag anyway, this is so dumb.

James
Your always complaining, Just do the work.

Shannon
Maybe Pa was right.

Shannon drops the ball.

James
(Frustrated)
No, Shan get that out of your head. Look at you, your bouncing a ball rapped
in plastic in an empty park at 11pm. This shit isn’t supposed to make sense
to anyone else.
(Then)
No one but you.

Shannon faces James..

James
(Eyes tear up)
I never understood that, and I would be failing you as your older brother if I
allowed you to make the same mistake.

CUT TO:
INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYM — DAY

The gym buzzes with the sounds of sneakers squeaking and basketballs
bouncing. Shannon’s hands are trembling slightly as she faces the cones in
front of her. Her mind drifts back to the memory of her brother, James, and
the endless nights they spent on the court, teaching her to believe in herself.

COACH PEREZ
(From the sideline)
Alright, Shannon! Let’s see what you got.

Shannon takes a deep breath and steps forward. She moves toward the first
cone, her feet quick and light. The ball moves fluidly between her legs as she
goes. She’s not rushing, not panicking. She remembers James’s words “find
your pace”. With each dribble, her confidence builds.

Coach Perez watches closely, arms folded, eyebrow raised. He Knew

Shannon was a good player, but the energy she brings to the court. There’s a
rawness in her play, a hunger, even if it’s masked by nerves.

Shannon weaves through the cones, smooth and controlled. She reaches the
last cone and sets up for the finish. She drives forward, her eyes locked on
the basket. The ball moves with purpose as she makes her final move—a
smooth crossover before pulling up for a clean shot.

The ball arcs through the air and swishes through the net with a ruff,
satisfying sound.

COACH PEREZ
(Quietly)
Okay... okay.

The other players look impressed, murmuring to each other. Shannon

doesn’t smile. She doesn’t even look up. She’s has fully immersed herself in
the Mamba Mentality

COACH PEREZ
(Claps his hands)
Group A, good job. Now, group B. Step up.

As the next group takes their turn, Shannon stands off on the sideline,
pacing, bouncing the ball. Her mind is elsewhere, replaying the night with
James, the long talks, the late nights—how hard he pushed her, how much he
believed in her.

FLASHBACK

EXT. 189 PARK BASKETBALL COURT — NIGHT

The old park lights casts a yellowy glow over the asphalt of the court.
Shannon is dribbling, frustration mounting as the ball bounces unpredictably
due to the plastic bag wrapped around it.

JAMES
(Frustrated, but calm)
Focus. You’re rushing. You have to get the feel of it.

SHANNON
(Shaking her head, frustrated)
I don’t get it, James! We are wasting time here lets just go home.

JAMES
(Quietly, determined)
. You can’t be afraid of the hard stuff, Shannon. You can’t be afraid of failing.
If you fail, you get back up and you keep working.

Shannon stops dribbling, tears w up in her eyes.

 JAMES
(Softening, stepping closer)
I’m not asking you to be perfect. I’m asking you to put in the work. This is for
you, not for anyone else. You have to own it.

SHANNON
(Tears falling)
But what if I’m not good enough? What if... what if no one believes in me?

JAMES
(Grabbing her by the shoulders, gently but firmly)
Then you believe in yourself. That’s the only person you need. Not Pa, not
me, not anybody. Do you hear me? The work... it’ll pay off.

Shannon looks up at James, the weight of his words sinking in.

JAMES
(Smiling, wiping a tear from her face)
You’ve got this. You just have to trust the process.

CUT BACK TO:

INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYM — DAY

Shannon snaps out of her thoughts as she hears Coach Perez call for the
next drill.

COACH PEREZ
Alright, Shannon, it’s time for the shooting drill. 10 shots from the free-throw
line. Let’s see if you’ve got that touch.

Shannon nods, her heartbeat picking up. She steps up to the line. The gym
falls quiet. Coach Perez watches her closely, the pressure mounting.

Shannon dribbles the ball a few times, gathering her thoughts. She’s not
thinking about the players watching, not thinking about the pressure. She’s
thinking about the court, thinking about her brother’s words. Just play your
game.

She bends her knees, sets her feet, and releases the first shot. It’s clean. The
ball hits nothing but net.

COACH PEREZ
(Nods, impressed)
Alright.
She lines up for the next shot. Dribbles. Breathes. Shoots. Another swish.

And another. And another.

She sinks eight of the ten shots with ease, confidence rising with every
successful attempt. On the last shot, she pauses. She can feel all eyes on
her. She takes a breath. The ball leaves her hands in a smooth arc, the
perfect form she’s been taught.

It swishes through the net.

COACH PEREZ
(Louder now, to everyone)
Ok, you guys came to play! I love this.

Shannon steps back, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. She’s
proving to herself what she’s always known deep down: she’s good enough.

COACH PEREZ
(Stepping forward, addressing the group)
Alright, everyone. That’s enough for today. I’ll post the final roster tomorrow
afternoon. But listen up. The ones who make this team, don’t think this is the
end. It’s just the beginning. And the ones who don’t, I still want you guys
involved. Talk to me if you guys are interested.

Shannon stands tall, the nerves that had gripped her earlier now replaced
with something stronger—determination. She makes eye contact with Coach
Perez. He gives her a small nod of acknowledgment.

JENNY
(Smiling, walking up to Shannon)
See? I told you. You did your thing!

SHANNON
(Laughs softly)
I think I’m starting to believe it.

JENNY
(Grinning)
Told you. Let’s go grab some Chick fil A. Celebrate—whether we make the
team or not.

SHANNON
(Shrugs)
We will. But yeah, I’m in.
They walk off the court together, chatting and laughing. Shannon feels the
weight of the day lift off her shoulders. No matter what happens, she’s proud
of what she’s done.

CUT TO:

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL — DAY

Shannon exits the gym, the sun casting long shadows on the pavement.
She’s still wearing the same oversized jersey, the same worn-out sneakers,
but she walks with a little more confidence today.

As she steps into the fading sunlight, her phone buzzes. She checks it. It’s a
text from James.

JAMES (TEXT):
Proud of you, Shan. You’re gonna do great. Don’t forget—trust yourself.

Shannon smiles.

FADE OUT.