Chapter 5

GAME PLAN

For the next week, Derek practiced free throws all the time. He practiced on the weekend and after school. I have to get this right, he told himself.

Derek walked into the gym on game day. I am so ready for this game, he thought. Then he saw Jason.

“Why did you bother coming?” said Jason. “We all know you can’t play.”

Ryan looked away. He didn’t say anything. “Jason, stop the trash talk,” said Cody.

“Over here, boys,” said Coach. “We have to talk.”

Derek waited for the other boys to walk over first. He followed behind them and stood in the back.

“Come on, Derek,” said Coach. “I want everyone to hear this.” Derek moved into the circle.

“We’re playing Curren today,” said Coach. “My old friend Coach O’Reilly is their coach. We played together when we were your age, back when the dinosaurs were alive,” said Coach Taylor.

“Dinosaurs?” said Ryan.

“Sure,” said Coach, “we used dinosaur eggs instead of basketballs.”

“What?” said Cody.

“Just pulling your leg,” said Coach. “Anyway, I want to win this one.” He looked around at all the players.

Jason looked at Derek. Then he looked back at Coach.

“We’ll do our best,” said Cody.

“That’s all I ask,” said Coach. He took out his notebook.

“Derek, I want you to do the tip-off again,” said Coach.

“What? But he missed the last one,” said Jason.

“Give him time,” said Coach.

“But I never miss,” said Jason.

“Let’s go over these plays,” said Coach. “I want to use the two-three zone defense. Derek, you’re the tallest, so stay right under the basket.”

“Sure, Coach,” said Derek.

“I play that spot,” said Jason.

Coach looked at Jason, “You’re the second tallest, Jason,” said Coach, “so I want you in the corner on the right.”

“The corner?” asked Jason.

“Yes. And you, Ryan,” said Coach, “protect the left corner.”

“Okay, Coach,” said Ryan.

“And you two guards,” said Coach, “you’ll stay between the point and the wing. Garrett, you play the right side.”

“I’ll take the left,” said Cody.

“Now, let’s get out there and show my old buddy who’s got the better team!” said Coach with a big smile.