Chapter 6

SHOW TIME!

Coach put his hand into the center of the team huddle.

All the other players put their hands in and shouted, “Go, Hornets!”

Then the ref walked to the center of the court. “It’s time,” said Coach Taylor. “Let’s show them how Hornets sting!”

“Yeah,” said Jason, and he punched his fist into the air.

Derek walked out to center court to do the tip-off.

The ref looked at Derek and at the center from Curren.

“Ready to play?” the ref asked.

Derek nodded. “Ready,” he said.

“Yeah,” said the Curren center.

Here goes nothing, thought Derek. The ref threw the ball up into the air. Derek jumped as high as he could.

But the center from Curren hit the ball away. Not again!

Derek ran to the other side of the court. “I told Coach you couldn’t do it,” said Jason as he ran by. Derek ignored Jason and kept running. He had to get under the basket!

“Defense!” yelled Coach Taylor. “Defend your zones!”

Derek ran into position under the basket. The Curren players passed the ball left, then right. Derek watched the players weave in and out. Block it, Cody! Block it, Garrett!

But the ball came closer and closer.

Then one of the Curren guards passed the ball to their center.

Here we go, thought Derek. He watched as Jason moved right to try to block the Curren center. The Curren center faked right and then jumped left. He shot the ball toward the net.

Derek reached up and jumped as high as he could. It’s up to me now.

The ball sailed over Derek’s hands.

Swoosh! The ball landed in the net.

Two points already!

The ref gave Cody the ball. Cody went out of bounds and everyone ran into position.

Cody passed the ball to Garrett. Garrett dribbled the ball to center court.

Derek ran into the key. He was ready.

But the Curren center stood between Derek and Garrett, so Garrett passed the ball to Dylan.

Dylan faked left, and the Curren center moved toward him. Suddenly Derek was open.

Derek reached out, and Dylan passed him the ball.