That system needs authorized staff access, so I won’t pretend we have it already. I plan to complete the review after the championship. Today’s eligible players will not be punished on the basis of unresolved conduct allegations.” Tasha looked dissatisfied. “They might get to play tomorrow after what they did.
Being accused and being found responsible are different things. We will review the full facts. And the head official has been instructed to enforce contact and sportsmanship rules impartially on the court.” Ward nodded. “That’s the process we asked for.”
The director’s answer didn’t make the insult disappear. It made the difference between revenge and a finding clearer. Imani heard about the meeting afterward. She asked one question. Would the review interfere with South Dock’s title if they won?
Grant had said the result of a properly played game would stand unless the rules themselves required otherwise. No invented punishment would hand in a championship to either school. In the evening, Imani went outside to the field house steps to wait for Denise. Brielle was standing near the far railing, away from the cameras and the delighted Mariner students. The air smelled of rain on concrete.
Both girls were tired. For a moment, Imani thought they might pass without speaking. “I heard they cleared your transfer,” Brielle said. “Because I was eligible.” “Congratulations.”
The word carried no warmth. “Brielle,” Imani said, “coach filed the report. Tasha has the video. There’s still time to tell the director what you saw. You don’t have to make Harper’s choice your own.”
Brielle looked toward the parked buses. “You think if they get in trouble tomorrow, that makes you better than me?” “No. I think our game should tell us who plays better. What happened on the first day is another question.”
For a flicker of a second, Brielle’s expression cracked. She looked as though she wanted to ask whether Imani really expected an honest game after all this. Then she folded her arms. “I’ll see you on the court. That’s where I want to see you.” Denise’s car pulled up, its passenger door rattling in the cold wind.
Imani climbed in beside her mother and held her bag between her feet. She told Denise about the comeback and the paperwork, then about Brielle’s last remark. Denise listened and asked the thing nobody else had asked all day. “Are you looking forward to tomorrow at all?” Imani hesitated.
