Gemotions

He stared at the basketball, bouncing it on the gym floor, the rhythmic thud a feeble attempt to ground himself. His palms were sweating. He felt his face flush. He was scheduled to announce the cut list today.

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the court. He saw the anxious faces of the players. He hated this part of coaching. It was a necessary evil, but he struggled to reconcile himself to the task.

He called the players to the center of the court. His throat constricted as he spoke. He tried to project confidence, but he knew he failed. He tried to remember what his own coach would say.