Blue Lights | The Tre Hardaway Story

[Soapy]

gotta be the worst record oak hill has ever had lmao

[chosenone58]

KD having an up and down season, but if you say it's early days....

[The JZA]

gotta be the worst record oak hill has ever had lmao

Soapy, Probably so, but they're still trying to fight back to .500 right now sitting at 7-10. Only teams that's really struggling is Oak Park (3-10) and Hargrave (3-9). Everybody's playing their numbers, just the rest of the kids are ass on the respective teams.

KD having an up and down season, but if you say it's early days....

chosenone58, Be mindful, these are 8 minute quarters, but I'm beginning to suspect that ATD settings/sliders don't work for HS basketball

[The JZA]

[The JZA]

Chapter VI: Choices

The heavy snowfall blanketed Belmont in a serene white, the kind of picturesque scene that seemed ripped from a holiday postcard. Yet, for Tre, the magic of Christmas was conspicuously absent. He sat by the living room window, staring out at the swirling snowflakes, lost in thoughts of Chicago. Back there, Christmas had always been chaotic but full of life—the hurried laughter of children on the streets, the warm smell of his mother Kassidy’s sweet potato pie wafting through their apartment, and even the sounds of old-school R&B holiday classics playing from their neighbor’s stereo.

This year, though, was different. It was their first Christmas without Kassidy. Her absence hung over Tre and Cedric like a storm cloud, an unspoken pain that muted any attempts at celebration. Tre clenched his jaw as memories of the past flooded his mind—the street brawls, Andre, the dangerous entanglements with Marcus and the streets, and his mother’s unwavering attempts to keep them safe in a world that seemed intent on pulling them under. Despite her efforts, life had been unkind, and now, it felt hollow without her.

Gerald, their father, noticed the quiet heaviness in the room. He had tried everything to bring a sense of normalcy—stringing up lights, buying a fir tree, even wrapping presents with care—but nothing seemed to lift his sons' spirits. Cedric sat on the couch, flipping through a book absentmindedly, while Tre remained silent, staring into the snowy abyss outside.

“Tre, Cedric,” Gerald finally said, breaking the silence. “I know this year’s been rough. I just want to say that I… I’m proud of you both. And I’m here for you. Always.”

Tre’s head turned slowly, his gaze sharp. “Yeah... It just doesn’t feel like Christmas,” he said flatly. “Nothing about this feels right.”

Gerald’s face fell slightly, but he nodded. “I know, son. I know.”

Tre stood abruptly, his frustration bubbling over. “Do you? Do you really?” he asked, his voice rising slightly. “Because if you did, you’d know this isn't just the first Christmas we’ve had to go through without her, but every single day since then. And it’s your fault she had to do it all alone... That she's not here right now.”

Cedric’s eyes widened, and he instinctively clutched the book tighter. Gerald looked at his youngest son and gently said, “Cedric, go to your room for a bit, alright? Your brother and I need to talk.”

Cedric hesitated but eventually nodded, shuffling off toward his room. Cedric wasn't ignorant to the conversation, he felt the same as Tre. As the door clicked shut, an uncomfortable silence filled the space between Gerald and Tre. Tre stood stiffly, his arms crossed, his jaw tight with anger and grief.

“Alright, Tre,” Gerald said finally, his voice steady but soft. “Say what’s on your mind.”

Tre folded his arms across his chest, his tone sharp. “Why weren’t you there when we needed you? When she needed you? You just… left. She did everything, everything! While you were off… where? Doing what?”

Gerald sighed heavily and rubbed his hands over his face before leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I don’t expect you to understand, Tre,” he began, his voice tinged with both guilt and weariness. “But I’m going to try to explain anyway. Back in Chicago, I felt like I was drowning. The life I was living… it wasn’t a life at all. I was barely holding on, and I knew if I stayed, I wouldn’t have made it. And I wouldn’t have been any good to any of you... In hindsight, I already wasn't when I made the choice to leave.”

Tre scoffed. “That’s your excuse? You left because it was hard? You think it wasn’t hard for her?”

“I know it was,” Gerald replied, his voice cracking slightly. “And I hate myself for it every day. I hate that I left her to carry it all on her own. I hate that I wasn’t there to see you and Cedric grow up the way I should have. But I also know that if I stayed, I would’ve dragged all of you down with me.”

Tre shook his head, his emotions roiling. “That’s not good enough.”

“It’s not,” Gerald admitted, his eyes meeting Tre’s. “It’ll never be good enough. And I’ll carry that regret for the rest of my life. But Tre, I’m here now. The man you see today could never be the man in Chicago... And I’m not going anywhere. I’m trying to make it right—for you, for Cedric, for her.”

Tre’s shoulders slumped slightly, the weight of his emotions bearing down on him. Gerald took a deep breath and continued. “I wish it had been me instead of her. I… I would trade places with Kassidy in a heartbeat if I could. But all we can do now is live for her. Honor her. Carry her with us in everything we do.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The only sound was the faint whistle of wind outside, carrying snowflakes past the window. Gerald could see the flicker of indecision in Tre’s eyes, the battle between his anger and his longing for understanding. Finally, Tre nodded, though his expression remained guarded.

“Fine,” he muttered. “But you better mean it. You better actually be here this time.”

“I will,” Gerald promised. “I swear to you, Tre.”

Tre turned and walked toward the stairs, pausing for a moment before looking back at his father. "Please don't break this promise... Cedric needs you. And so do I.”

As Tre ascended the stairs, Gerald leaned back in his chair, staring out the window at the snow. He thought of Kassidy and the family he was now determined to hold together, no matter what it took. Upstairs, Cedric peeked out of his room, his small face curious and cautious. Seeing Tre’s softened expression, he ventured, “Did you guys talk it out?”

Tre nodded, a small, reluctant smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah. We’re getting there.”

Cedric smiled back, his eyes lighting up. “Good. I miss how things used to be. I miss Mom too, Tre, everyday. But I don't miss the hurt and suffering we've been though.”

Tre placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Me too. But we’ll figure it out. Together...”


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The days following Christmas were tranquil, the snow covering Belmont like a thick quilt, muting the world outside. Tre found himself in a reflective mood, his thoughts circling back to the heartfelt conversation with Gerald. The holiday season felt incomplete without Kassidy, their mother, whose absence lingered heavily in every corner of their home. Despite the somber undertones, life, relentless as always, moved forward. Tre’s focus returned to basketball, the one constant that provided him solace. On this particular late afternoon, he logged into his laptop for a scheduled Zoom call that Coach Milton had arranged. Tre had been told someone significant wanted to speak with him, but he hadn’t anticipated it would be Rodney Terry, the head coach of the Texas Longhorns.

Tre adjusted his hoodie and leaned back in his chair, his heart pounding with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. As the Zoom window connected, Coach Terry’s face appeared on the screen. He was a tall, composed man with a confident yet approachable demeanor. His warm, genuine smile instantly put Tre somewhat at ease.

“Tre, good afternoon! Can you hear me alright?” Coach Terry asked, his voice calm and resonant.

“Yes, sir. I can hear you,” Tre replied, sitting up straighter, attempting to hide the nervous energy coursing through him.

“Great! First off, let me say it’s a pleasure to finally talk to you. I’ve been hearing phenomenal things about you, not just from Coach Milton but from other respected folks in the basketball world. I had to see for myself what all the excitement was about,” Coach Terry said, his tone enthusiastic but composed.

Tre nodded, unsure how to respond. “Thank you, sir. I’m just trying to work hard and help my team however I can.”

“And that’s exactly the kind of mindset we prioritize at Texas,” Coach Terry said, leaning slightly forward. “I know the game against Oak Hill didn’t go the way you hoped, but let me tell you something—you blew that game away out of people's minds with that win over Allen High just last week. Your performance went beyond what the scoreboard shows. Your defensive hustle, adaptability, and leadership on the court stood out. Those qualities are invaluable. But we also value that incredible triple-double you posted, son!”

Tre felt a flicker of pride to put that painful loss behind him with a big win. “I appreciate that, Coach. It means a lot to hear that from someone like you.”

Coach Terry smiled. “Well, I’m not just here to give compliments. Tre, I’m here to tell you that the University of Texas sees you as a phenomenal fit for our program. I’m officially offering you an athletic scholarship to play for the Longhorns.”

Tre’s eyes widened, and he leaned forward, gripping the edges of his desk. “A scholarship? To Texas?”

“That’s right,” Coach Terry confirmed, his smile unwavering. “We see tremendous potential in you. You have the talent, the work ethic, and the character that we value. I know this is a significant decision, and I don’t expect you to decide right now. I just wanted to personally extend this offer and let you know how much we believe in you. We've watched your tapes from your time in Chicago, we were blown away then, we're blown away now. We love nothing more to seize the opportunity to get a talent like you here in Texas.”

Tre exhaled, still trying to process the magnitude of the moment. “Wow… I don’t even know what to say. Thank you, Coach. This is a dream for any player.”

Coach Terry chuckled. “Take your time to think it over, Tre. Talk to your family, your coaches, and anyone whose guidance you trust. This decision is about more than basketball; it’s about finding the right fit for your future. Whatever you decide, know that I’ll be rooting for you.”

Tre nodded, the weight of the offer settling on his shoulders. “I will, Coach. I’ll definitely think about it. Thank you again for this incredible opportunity.”

“My pleasure,” Coach Terry said. “I’ll stay in touch, and in the meantime, keep doing what you’re doing. The sky’s the limit for you, Tre. Don’t forget that.”

As the call ended, Tre leaned back in his chair, staring at the now-blank screen. His heart was racing. A scholarship offer from Texas—it was something he had never imagined happening so soon, especially after everything he’d endured in Chicago. With offers now from Boston University and Texas, he thought of his mother, Kassidy, and how proud she would have been. A small smile crept onto his face as he whispered, “This one’s for you, Mom.”

Tre stood and headed downstairs, where Gerald and Cedric were in the living room. Cedric was sketching in his notebook, as usual, while Gerald flipped through channels on the TV. Both looked up as Tre entered the room.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Gerald said, raising an eyebrow. “What’s going on?”

Tre hesitated for a moment before breaking into a wide grin. “I just got offered a scholarship to Texas.”

Cedric’s eyes lit up. “Texas? The Longhorns? That’s huge, Tre!”

Gerald’s face broke into a broad smile. “A scholarship already? That’s incredible, son. I knew you had it in you.”

“Thanks,” Tre said, sitting down on the couch. “But this ain't the first one. I also got an offer from Boston University a while back too. It’s a lot to take in, though. I mean, it’s Texas. That’s a big deal.”

Gerald nodded. “It’s a big deal because you earned it, both of them. All the hard work you’ve put in, all the sacrifices—it’s paying off. And let me tell you something: your mom would be so proud of you right now.”

Tre looked down, his smile faltering slightly. “I just wish she was here to see it.”

“She is,” Gerald said firmly. “She’s watching over you, every step of the way. And this? This is just the beginning, Tre. There’s so much ahead for you.”

Cedric set his sketchpad down and scooted closer to Tre. “So, are you gonna take it?”

Tre laughed softly. “I don’t know yet, Ced. I’ve got to think about it. But it’s nice to know people believe in me.”

“We believe in you too,” Cedric said, offering a shy smile. “Always.”

Tre reached over and ruffled Cedric’s hair. “Thanks, little man. That means a lot.”

As the evening wore on, the three of them stayed together in the living room. The warmth of family filled the space, cutting through the chill of the winter outside. For the first time in a long time, Tre felt a sense of promise in the future returning. And for now, that was enough...

[Soapy]

that boy ugly asf with the baldy lmao

[The JZA]

that boy ugly asf with the baldy lmao

Soapy, Judging a man's look as a man is giving "BBL Soapy" energy

[Soapy]

that boy ugly asf with the baldy lmao

Soapy, Judging a man's look as a man is giving "BBL Soapy" energy

i'll take the fine
boy head still shiny AF

[The JZA]

that boy ugly asf with the baldy lmao

Soapy, Judging a man's look as a man is giving "BBL Soapy" energy

i'll take the fine
boy head still shiny AF

Soapy, menace to society lol

[Agent]

that boy ugly asf with the baldy lmao

looking like Jody

That triple-double you put on em was big. Especially in a tight game like that.