Re: In the stands
Russ had made the team this year, which meant that Sunshine had to wait until basketball practice was over so that they could go home together. That was OK with her - she understood that it would help save gas and it also meant that she could watch the team in action.
She had meant to sit in the bleachers and do her homework for class the next day, but then the scary woman coach spotted her and asked her to fill paper cups with water just in case the team got thirsty. (She really did ask nicely, even though her voice still sounded scary when she did it.)
So Sunshine was making herself useful as an unofficial water girl.