Degrassi: The Next Generation
1.07 - Basketball Diaries
Transcribed by Sarah Nicolett for http://twiztv.com
Degrassi- Gym
Sean has a
basketball in his hands. He throws it to Jimmy. He tries to guard Jimmy. Jimmy
goes past him and makes a shot.
Jimmy: Yeah.
A whistle is
blown.
Coach: Bring it
in guys. (The guys all gather around) Tomorrow’s exception game is against Earl
Gray. You have to come out strong, play hard. Now, my final cuts will be based
on how you perform in that game (They groan). Sorry, gentleman. I have 15 talented
players here and only 12 spots. (Bell rings) (He looks at his watch) Okay,
guys, you better change before you’re late for homeroom. Good job.
Everyone leaves
except Jimmy + Spinner.
Spinner: Dude,
you heard Armstrong. Homeroom calls.
Jimmy: Homeroom
can wait. I want to try this one more time.
Spinner: Jimmy,
you burned up the floor this morning. You’re doing fine.
Jimmy: Fine? I
want to do better than that.
Spinner: (as
Jimmy’s taking a shot) Downtown. Go, Jimmy! Oh, yeah! Who’s the man? (He high
fives Jimmy)
Jimmy: You’re
looking at him. Degrassi Panthers, Jimmy Brooks is on the prowl.
Opening Credits
Cut to: Ms.
Kwan’s Class
Jimmy is
walking in and Ms. Kwan holds out her hand.
Jimmy: Ms.
Kwan, please. Let me make the team first, then I’ll give you my autograph.
Ms. Kwan: How
about you give me your English assignment instead?
Jimmy: My
assignment, right. I wanted to talk to you about that.
Ms. Kwan:
Jimmy, I already gave you an extension. You did read chapter 8 for today,
right?
Jimmy: Of
course. I’m totally on top of the reading, it’s just the actual work.
Ms. Kwan:
Jimmy, you’re falling seriously behind. I’m concerned you’re not up to juggling
both academics and sports.
Jimmy: Oh, but
juggling is a sport, Ms. Kwan. There’s nothing to worry about, I’m fine.
Cut to: Hall
Liberty is running to where Ashley does the
announcements.
Cut to:
Announcements
Cameragirl: (checking
her watch) Ashley, the bell’s gonna ring any second.
Ashley: Where
is she?
Liberty comes through the door. Ashley takes
the notecards that she’s supposed to read.
Liberty: Well, there’s a- (she’s interrupted by
Ashley taking the notes) There’s a little joke at the end. I think you’ll like
it.
Ashley: What I’d
really like is for you to be on time, ok?
Bell rings
Ashley: Good
morning, Degrassi. Tomorrow, morning announcements will be replaced by (now
shows Ashley on the TV in grade 7 Media Immersion homeroom) a very special afternoon
pre-game screening as the Degrassi Panthers face off against Earl Gray in an exception
match, so, Go, Panthers, Go.
JT: She’s
pretty suavee, got it together.
Emma: It’s not
suavee, it’s suave.
Liberty: Television is so stressful.
JT: Ashley
doesn’t seem stressed.
Manny: I know.
She’s better than the people on the news. Calm, cool, a total natural.
Ashley: So, if you
see the Earl Gray team holding lighters, it’s because they always lose their
matches. Have a great day, guys.
JT: Lose their
matches. Not bad.
Liberty: That was my joke. I mean, I wrote it
after I found it on the ‘Net.
Emma: It’s
true, you know. You do all the work and Ashley takes all the glory. You should really
talk to her.
Sean: Or quiet.
Why spend any more time at school than u already have to?
Toby: you’re
going out for basketball.
Sean: My social
worker says it’s beneficial. Personally, I couldn’t give a rat’s-
Mr. Simpson
runs in.
Mr. S: Class,
sorry for the delay.
Liberty: It just makes me mad that people think
Ashley is so funny and clever, when all she’s doing is reading my words.
Manny: Yeah, a
monkey could do that.
Emma: Personally,
I’d say it’s time you asked Princess Ashley to share the air, but, hey, it’s
your career.
Mr. S: Alright,
today we’ll be exploring the fascinating world of HTML.
Cut to: Ms.
Kwan’s class
Ms. Kwan: I’ve
been reading your assignments, well, those that have been handed in. Your
thoughts on chapter 8 have been fascinating, so, let’s open it up for
discussion. Jimmy?
Jimmy: Oh, uh,
chapter 8? It’s great, just like the rest of the book.
Ms. Kwan: Could
you elaborate? For example, which character do you relate to?
Jimmy: Well,
that’s a very interesting question, Ms. Kwan, I-
Ms. Kwan:
Jimmy, it’s not that hard.
Jimmy: Ok, um,
I associate most with the main character.
Ms. Kwan: It’s
an ensemble piece. Which main character?
Jimmy: The Lord
of the Flies. Who else? (Everyone starts to laugh)
Ms. Kwan: The
Lord of the Flies is a severed pig’s head resting on a stake. You haven’t read
the book, have you?
Cut to: Hall
Spinner:
Busted. Total crash and burn.
Jimmy: I’m
doomed, man.
Spinner: Come
on, Ms. Kwan can’t stop you from playing. She’s an English teacher.
Jimmy: MY
English teacher who’s threatening to talk to MY coach who needs to cut three
players.
Spinner: Jimmy,
you’re a total natural. Coach Armstrong’s not gonna cut you. Just try harder at
school.
They go through
doors.
Jimmy: School
that’s my problem. It’s totally in the way. I concentrate on English, my
playing is crap. Concentrate on basketball and I don’t have enough time to do
my homework. It’s a no win situation.
Spinner: Got
that right. It’s a Catch 42.
Jimmy: Catch
22.
Spinner: Like
you know. You thought you were Lord of the Flies.
Jimmy: And now
I’ve got Kwan on my back, I’m bagged, man.
Spinner: Yeah,
I know the feeling. Since they upped my Ritalin, I’m like a complete zombie.
Jimmy: Yeah,
but I’ve seen you when you don’t take them; not pretty.
Spinner: Yeah,
I know. Don’t call me Spinner for nothing.
Spinner takes
his pill and takes a drink. Jimmy walk away.
Cut to:
Cafeteria
Ashley pays for
lunch and starts to walk to her table, when Liberty comes up to her.
Liberty: Ashley. Can I talk to you for a
second?
Ashley: Now? Ter,
save me a spot, ok?
Terri: Sure.
Ashley: How can
I help you, Liberty?
Liberty: I want to read the announcements.
Ashley: What?
Liberty: I do all the writing, it’s only fair
if I get to go on air once in a while.
Ashley: Liberty, you’re a writer, I’m a performer. You’re yin, I’m yang. We’re very different.
Liberty: How?
Ashley: Just
maybe next year, ok?
Ashley walk away.
Cut to: Gym.
The players are
practicing while Jimmy is reading.
Coach:
Remember, follow through with the wrist, ok? (Sean shoots + it goes in) Nice shot,
Sean. You see how he uses his legs and not his hands? Very important. Jimmy,
why don’t you give it a try? (Jimmy is reading + doesn’t hear him at first.
When he does he puts down the book + gets up) Or you can keep reading, if you
want to.
Jimmy: Sorry,
Coach. (Goes up to the basket + does a lay-up)
Coach:
Excellent, technique, Jimmy. But, we’re practicing our shots, not our lay-ups.
Impress me tomorrow. Give it another try.
Cut to: Hall
Paige: (says
something in French) I’ve been told I have perfect Parisian accent.
Ashley + Terri
keep walking + run into Liberty.
Liberty: I just want to do it once.
Ashley: Liberty, when I said no the last time, what didn’t you understand?
Liberty: Give me a chance, come on, why not?
Ashley: Because
it’s my job.
Liberty: Fine, I’m going on strike. No
research, no more writing, no more jokes. I figure you can do it yourself. Takes
about, oh, an hour a day, if you’re fast.
Ashley: Liberty, you’re not playing fair.
Liberty: I’M not playing fair? You’re the one
being greedy.
Ashley: It’s
just, I’m good at this.
Liberty: Anyone can read a cue card. A monkey
could do your job.
Ashley: Fine,
go ahead, tomorrow’s pre-game announcement’s, they’re all yours. Knock yourself
out.
Ashley walks
away. Liberty smiles.
Cut to: Gym
Spinner is
putting the balls away. Jimmy is leaving.
Guy: Jimmy,
what’s up, buddy? (They bump fists)
Jimmy: Hey,
Sean, good work out there today. You got no problems making the team.
Sean: I don’t
know about that. Guess we’ll see tomorrow.
Jimmy: Yeah.
Sean leaves.
Jimmy: “Don’t
know about that.” Whatever. Coach loves him. Sean probably made the team the
minute he signed up.
Spinner: Jimmy,
Sean’s a good player.
Jimmy: Yeah, so
am I (Takes a drink from a water bottle).
Spinner: And
who’s saying you’re not?
Jimmy: Coach Armstrong.
You saw him just now, tore my game apart.
Spinner: He was
just giving you pointers.
Jimmy: Hello, I
know how to shoot a basket. And sorry, but lay-ups? Way more important than
three-pointers.
Spinner: Look,
If you don’t make the team, which you will, you can be my co-manager.
Jimmy: Thanks,
but it’s not the same.
Spinner: Right.
Not much glory handing out towels and bottles of water. Anyway, let’s go catch
a movie or something, get your mind off this.
Jimmy: Can’t,
pulling an all-nighter. Got that assignment, remember?
Spinner takes a
pill out of a box + takes it with a bottle of water.
Jimmy: Wish
there was a pill I could take, one that would boost me up.
Spinner: Ritalin
would boost you up, big time. It’s like 50 cups of coffee.
Jimmy: I
thought it was supposed to calm people down.
Spinner: It
does, calm me down. Has to do with something with the configuration of my brain.
Jimmy: YOU have
a brain?
Spinner: Ha,
ha. But for normal people, exact opposite. It’s like, Speed.
Jimmy: Weird.
Spinner: Yeah,
but you know something, drugs aren’t the answer. Just say no.
Jimmy smiles.
Spinner gets up.
Cut to: Hall
Bell rings
Cut to: Kwan’s
classroom.
She’s looking
down at papers. Jimmy enters.
Jimmy: Ralph.
Ms. Kwan:
Pardon me?
Jimmy: You asked
me who I related to in The Lord of the Flies, It’s Ralph.
Jimmy gives her
a paper.
Cut to: Jimmy +
Spinner
Jimmy sits
down.
Jimmy: I’m
wiped. Got nothing left for the game.
Spinner: Man,
you got your English assignment done, Kwan will get your back now.
Jimmy: Doesn’t
help if I don’t make the team.
Something
beeps. Spinner takes out the box to take his Ritalin.
Jimmy: But, you
could help me, Spinner.
Spinner gives
him a look. Jimmy looks at Spinner as if to say “Give me the pill.”
Spinner: No
way.
Jimmy: it’s not
like steroids, I mean, it’s not illegal.
Spinner: Of
course it’s not illegal. You see me in jail?
Ms. Kwan: Ok guys,
let’s discuss the next chapter.
Jimmy: Please?
I need it. Look at me. I’m half-alive.
Spinner: Jimmy,
it’s my last pill, I can’t miss it.
Jimmy: Just
this once. A little energy boost. This game’s my last chance to prove myself to
Armstrong. Please?
Spinner hands
the pill to Jimmy.
Jimmy: Do I
take it now?
Spinner: I
guess. Takes about an hour to kick in.
Jimmy raises
his hand
Ms. Kwan: Yes,
Jimmy?
Jimmy: I need
to use the washroom.
Ms. Kwan nods.
Jimmy gets up + leaves.
Cut to: Outside
Classroom
Mr. Raditch
walks to Jimmy.
Mr. R: Jimmy! Good
luck this afternoon with the game.
Jimmy: Thanks,
Mr. Raditch.
Mr. R: Go get ‘em,
son.
Mr. Raditch
leaves.
Jimmy looks at
the pill, then takes it.
Cut to:
Liberty.
Liberty is
messing around with the camera before she does the announcements.
She doesn’t
know, but it’s on air.
In Media
Immersion.
Sean: What
happened to Ashley?
Girl: Liberty,
we’re on!
JT: She’s doing
a great job.
Sean: This is
just sad.
Liberty:
(reading cards) Welcome to Degrassi’s special pre-game announcements. Today the
Degrassi Panthers start a whole new reason, season, of basket…ball. Basketball.
Uh, by biting Earl Gray. (As she’s talking people are watching + laughing in
grade 8 homeroom) You can run, but you can’t hide, Earl Gray-Gray. The prowl is
on the Panthers. The Panthers are on the prowl. This has been Liberty Van
Zandt, filling in for Ashley Kerwin.
Paige: More
like Loser Van Zandt. Good job, Ash. I’m impressed. You totally set her up.
Paige leaves.
Ashley looks guilty about it.
Cut to: locker
room
Jimmy is
playing with the ball. He is really energized because of the pill.
Sean: Somebody
had a nutritious breakfast.
Jimmy: Yup,
toast, cheese, eggs, bacon, solid protein. Lot of protein. Brain food, man, brain
food.
Coach: All
right, how you guys doing? You pumped?
Jimmy: You know
it, Coach. You know it.
Cut to: Gym
The game is
going on.
Spinner: Come
on, Jimmy. Show ‘em what you got.
Jimmy nods.
Spinner: Come
on! Start this game, come on!
The ref throws
the ball in the air and the game starts.
Spinner: What’s
wrong with all of you? Come on? (As Spinner talks Degrassi gets the ball. A teammate
passes the ball to Jimmy. Jimmy dribbles it down the court)
Sean: Jimmy! Pass
the ball. Jimmy!
Spinner: Come
on. What’s he doing? Come on.
Sean: Pass the
ball.
Jimmy shoots
the ball and it goes in.
Spinner: Oh
yeah! You the man!
Announcer: Degrassi
leads 3-0.
Jimmy jumps up,
very excited. He high fives a player.
Cut to: Liberty
in the hall.
She is there
with another girl. She is upset because of the announcements.
Girl: Not bad,
for your first time. Wanna head over to the gym?
Liberty shakes
her head “No”. She hits her head on a door in the room she’s in. People walk
by.
Girl #1: That’s
her. (People laugh) Oh my god. So funny.
Liberty runs
away with her hand over her mouth.
Girl: Liberty!
Cut to: Gym-
The Game
Jimmy has the
ball.
Spinner: Go,
Jimmy! You the man! Yeah! Come on! Go, Jimmy, go, Jimmy, go. Go, Jimmy. Yeah,
come on.
Sean: Pass it.
Spinner: Come
on, Jimmy.
Coach looks
worried about Jimmy’s behavior.
Coach: Gavin,
You’re the team manager, not head cheerleader.
Spinner: Come
on, Coach. I was just giving Jimmy some mortal support.
Coach: Moral
support. You want to show your support? Clean up this bench. Bring it in, guys.
Good job, good job. Half time conference in thew locker room. Let’s go.
Spinner: (as
they pass him) Good job, guys, Jimmy.
Announcer: Half
time! 22-24, Degrassi.
Spinner takes
out a boombox and turns it on. A cool beat comes out of it. Spinner gets into
it.
Cut to: Girls’
Washroom
Liberty is in
there, crying. Ashley comes in.
Ashley: Liberty?
I know you’re in here. Liberty, come on.
Liberty: What
do you want?
Ashley: I just
want to talk to you.
Liberty: What,
to tell me I was horrible? Thanks, I already figured it out.
Ashley: You
weren’t great, but you weren’t completely horrible.
Liberty opens
the stall door and comes out.
Liberty: I wasn’t?
Ashley: No, you
just need a few pointers. I’ve got a plan. Trust me on this.
Cut to: Locker
room
Coach: Listen
up. We’re in the lead. Stay with your man. Keep up the pace. Play like a team. You’re
hearing me, Jimmy?
Jimmy: Loud and
clear, Coach A. Loud and clear.
Cut to: Gym
Spinner’s
sitting on the bench. The music is still playing. Spinner gets up after turning
the music up.
Spinner: Yo,
Degrassi. We need some half time entertainment.
The crowd
cheers. Spinner starts dancing. The crowd cheers him on. Mr. R is watching and
doesn’t look happy. All of a sudden, Spinner moons them. Mr. R drags him away.
Spinner: Good
night, Degrassi.
Cut to: Mr.
Raditch’s office
Mr. R: What
were you thinking?
Spinner: I don’t
know, it was funny.
Mr. R: Funny.
Spinner nods.
Mr. R: It wasn’t
funny. It made us look like idiots.
Spinner: But,
Mr. Raditch…
Mr. R: Sit
down.
Spinner sits.
Mr. R: First, no
extracurricular activities until the end of the semester.
Spinner: What?
But, Mr. Raditch…
Mr. R: No
discussion. Consider yourself lucky. I could suspend you for this.
Spinner: But,
sir, it’s medical.
Mr. R: Gavin, you’ve
been taking Ritalin for two years now, you know what happens when you miss a
pill. Unless there’s some another explanation.
Spinner: I
forgot, ok?
Mr. R: Fine,
but you won’t forget again. Because you’ll be taking your pills in front of my
secretary.
Spinner: But,
Mr. Raditch…
Mr. R: Three
times a day.
He gets up and
opens the door.
Mr. R: Mrs.
Smith, could you come in here, please? And would you bring Mr. Mason’s file.
Cut to: Gym-
The Game is on again.
Jimmy has the
ball.
Sean: Jimmy! Pass
the ball. I’m open. (Jimmy isn’t listening) Pass it, come on.
Jimmy shoots,
but misses. Coach is taking note of how Jimmy is acting.
Sean gets the
ball.
Jimmy: Sean,
pass the ball. Sean, I’m open. Sean!
Sean doesn’t,
so Jimmy hits him, gets the ball, and scores the winning shot.
Buzzer
Jimmy: Yeah!
Who’s the man? Yeah! That’s what I’m talking about.
Coach goes to
Sean who is on the floor, hurt.
Coach: Sean,
you ok? Is it your ankle?
Sean nods.
Coach: I want
you to wiggle your toes for me.
Announcer: Degrassi
wins 39-37.
Everyone is
excited about the win.
Cut to: The
Hall
JT, Toby, Emma,
+ Manny are walking and talking.
JT: Degrassi
rules.
Toby: I bet we
go all the way to the regionals.
Emma: But, what
was up with that Jimmy guy out there? He was like a lunatic.
JT: Sports are
not for the weak of heart.
Emma: Like you’d
know, and besides, that doesn’t mean you get to injure people.
Manny: (Sees
Liberty on the TV) Oh, no.
Liberty: (On
TV): Way to go, Degrassi. Our team just kicked some serious Earl Gray butt…
JT: Liberty said
butt?
Liberty: ….Just
before the buzzer we scored an awesome three pointer winning the game, 39-37.
Manny: She’s
actually doing ok.
Liberty….Pathers,
you’re off to an sonsational start. (Goes to where liberty is reading it) This
is Liberty Van Zandt, wrapping up today’s special video coverage. Thank you. (Girl
turns camera off)
Ashley: See? It’s
not so hard. The trick is to remain calm, cool, and sure of yourself. You’re
pretty good at that, already.
Liberty: Thank
you, Ashley.
Ashley: And you’ll
be even better when you read the announcements again, next year, after I
graduate.
Cut to: Locker
room
The guys are
really excited they won. Coach comes in the room.
Coach: Jimmy,
can I talk to you for a second? It’s about this afternoon, out on the court.
Jimmy: I know,
12 points plus the game point. It’s the best I’ve ever played.
Coach: In terms
of scoring, yes. But, you show boated, you ball hogged, you blew plays, you
weren’t a team player.
Jimmy: I know.
Coach: But you
know what really worries me? It’s what you did to Sean. You know you almost
broke his ankle out there?
Jimmy: That was
an accident.
Coach: An
accident? Come on, Jimmy. You fouled your own player, deliberately. And you
know we have a zero tolerance policy for violence.
Jimmy: it was
stupid. It’ll never happen again. I promise.
Coach: I can’t
take that chance. Sorry, Jimmy, you’re cut.
Jimmy is upset.
He looks over at Sean, who is being bandaged up by Coach Armstrong.
End credits