Chapter 3: The Making of an Alpha

Jaxon saw his colleagues gathering around Coach Davis as he stood in the Westbrook gym. He was gripping the basketball with both hands at the same moment. The stakes were higher at this stage, and tension was beginning to mount.

He knew this was more than just another practice day; it was the start of something greater—a trial to see if he has the qualities required to run the team. Apart from talent, being the Alpha required a specific attitude, a relentless resolve, and the capacity to seize control of the circumstances when everything else was collapsing.

First Notes at Westbrook Apart from being a basketball powerhouse, Westbrook University was a nursery for the very finest of the very best. Jaxon knew he no longer was the finest of the best the minute he set foot in a campus. There was intense competitiveness as every athlete in this room had put great effort to secure their spot.

Jaxon came to see for the first time in years that he was surrounded by sportsmen who might either exceed him or maybe surpass him in terms of their skills. Jaxon, meanwhile, refused to allow himself be afraid; he thrived in these kind of surroundings.

Jaxon saw the dynamics of the group during his first scrimmage at Westbrook.

A few unique leaders and athletes who had been a member of the program for a significant length of time had grown to be the most dependable people already. Still, Jaxon was absent to perform the function of a second fiddle. He was ready to put more effort than everyone else to reach the top and had his eyes fixed on it.

Future Rivalry on the Horizon  Among the people who had become somewhat well-known were Zane Matthews, a senior guard with a devastating jump jumper and a flawless touch.  Zane had been the most active member of the team over three years, and he would not allow a rookie like Jaxon replace him without challenging him.  They were palpably and instantly competing with each other.

Zane was right there to surpass Jaxon and finish the game on his own whenever he moved.  Jaxon was not the kind to back down, to be sure.  Every single one of Zane's challenges inspired his determination. 

Jaxon faced more obstacles to go beyond Zane.  

Since the squad consisted of gifted people, every single member desired for a part of the spotlight.  

Josh, a defensive powerhouse, and Evan, a forward with outstanding shooting skills, were kept under active consideration. Both of these athletes have unique skills and may have assumed leadership positions.  Still, Jaxon seemed unique among the bunch for some reason.

His intense need to rule was evident in his attitude to the game, which seemed to be a battlefield, nervous to seize. 

The Challenges Coach Davis faces  Coach Davis could see Jaxon's talent right away, but he also saw some performance issues.  Coach informed Hayes, during a workout, "You have the skills, but if you want to lead this team, it's going to take more than that." Hayes was referring to his own skill set.  To be an Alpha, one cannot only accumulate points to qualify.  

You have an obligation to inspire everyone in your vicinity.  Are you capable of doing that?

Many of Jaxon's ideas turned toward the issue. He had always been a lone wolf on the court, depending only on his own skills to win games, across his entire career. But here at Westbrook, it would not be enough.  Coach Davis made it clear that Jaxon had to learn how to lead, not just how to dominate.  

That marked the completion of the real Alpha test. 

A Crucial Time Moment  Jaxon didn't have to wait long to come across his first major obstacle.  During a pivotal practice scrimmage Jaxon and Zane engaged in, their frustrations peaked.  As the show's star, Zane's supremacy was directly challenged by Jaxon's aggressive on-court manner.

The degree of trash language the two of them traded fluctuated with the game. Every shot was a personal hit, and every single pass was an opportunity to establish the actual Alpha.

By the end of the scrimmage, their anger was so strong it was filling the whole arena.

Jaxon had the ball when there were only a few seconds left on the clock. He knew Zane was there, and the challenge he was staring at drove him to grab the chance. Jaxon drove straight to the hoop, blasted past Zane's defense, and hit the shot that would have won the game without the smallest of doubt.

Zane's eyes reflected just thanks, even if the gym burst in cheers.

Do you consider this to be now final? Zane spit, his words loaded with poison, just at the moment the squad was returning to the locker room.

Juxon was the silent one. He was not necessary, indeed. Jaxon told the whole squad just a minute ago that he was not going to be playing any games; acts speak louder than words.

He should have taken leadership here at last.

The Cost of Vision Jaxon's advancement, on the other hand, did not come without difficulties. Away from the court, he was beginning to pay for his laser-like concentration. Though his connection with Maya had been developing ever since they had first met, everyday the gap between them kept widening.

Jaxon's life lacked much space for anything else as he was so preoccupied with becoming the greatest. Maya was not the kind of person to sit on the sidelines.

Maya said, "You are driving everyone away," on one of their evening walks around campus.

"I know basketball is important to you but it cannot be the only thing."

Jaxon corrected her with a still-moving jaw. Maya said, "This is everything." I will finish up losing if I do not provide it my all.

You have no idea whatsoever about what it is like.

Her voice was kind but strong as she said, "I understand more than you think." Still, life has more to offer than just success. Jaxon, there are others living close by.

Also keep this in mind.

The talk made Jaxon uncomfortable. Maya's words were true; he had been so preoccupied with proving his value that he had missed the people he was going to leave behind. On the other hand, he couldn afford to allow himself get sidetracked at the same instant.

Indeed not just now, not with Zane breathing down his neck and the season just about here.

Learning Leadership Experience The words Coach Davis had uttered kept returning to Jaxon as he worked through the next few weeks of practice. He was the Alpha, hence he was in charge of bettering the group instead of just himself.

Jaxon started changing his strategy and started stressing not only his personal development but also the improvement of his colleagues. Spending more time with the younger players, he gave counsel on how to stay cool under duress and on how to enhance their particular skills.

Not at all easy.

Jaxon was still learning how to strike a balance between his inherent drive to compete and the obligations of his leadership position. Conversely, the group started to react to him little by little. Players further away started looking to him for direction after a while.

If Zane is still a fierce rival, it looked as if he recognized Jaxon's rising influence on the team. 

The Moment That defined It  The event that really signaled the change in the circumstances was a high-stakes preseason game against a rival university.  Westbrook had been battling all through the game, and by the fourth quarter the team was behind by a notable margin.  Dissatisfied with the squad's performance, Zane started trying shots outside of his best interest in an effort to get the team back on track on his own.  

That isn't going to work. 

Coach Davis's concentration was Jaxon right before he called a stop-through.  That moment is here for you, Hayes.  Lead from here. 

Jaxon took a long inhalation at first.  At last here was the moment he had been waiting for all along.  When the group gathered around Jaxon, even he was surprised by his cool and forceful approach.  

"We are not going to lose this game," he said, gazing every player in the eye.  We have so given much too much work for this.  If we follow the plan and trust each other, we will be able to reverse this. 

The previous quarter saw a swirl of great activity.  In addition to playing lockdown defense and leading by example, Jaxon choreographed plays, set up his teammates for easy baskets, and set the tone for the team.   Westbrook had reduced the margin to five points with only a few seconds left on the clock.  

Jaxon had the ball, hence the whole game rested on his shoulders. 

Not only could he feel Zane's presence, but this time his goal was team building rather than destroying Zane.  Jaxon threw the ball to Evan at the very last second after driving to the basket and drawing defensive attention. Evan took the jumper that turned out to be the game-winning one.  

With Westbrook's triumph, it was no longer just about Jaxon; it was about the team overall as well. 

Jaxon got a surprising insight during the time his colleagues were celebrating and the crowd was roaring: Alpha was not about being the greatest player.  This effort aimed at improving everyone around him.  Jaxon Hayes had actually become the Alpha of Westbrook at that particular instant.