Chapter 8

FAST PACE

The team from Curren loved the fast pace. Derek ran up and down across the court more times than he could count. By the last quarter, the score was 70 to 69, Curren.

Coach Taylor called a time-out. “We have less than a minute left,” he said. “We only need one basket to win.”

“We won’t let you down, Coach,” said Cody. He put his hand into the circle.

Coach put his hand in, so Derek did too. Ryan, Garrett, and Jason put in their hands. Jason’s hand was on top. “Go, Hornets,” they all yelled. And then the Hornets walked out onto the court.

The ref handed Cody the ball. Cody walked out of bounds with it and turned around slowly.

Derek ran to midcourt. We’ve got to do this right! he told himself.

Cody passed the ball to Ryan. Ryan pivoted and passed the ball to Garrett. Derek ran under the basket.

Cody ran into the key. Garrett passed Cody the ball, but the players from Curren were all over him. Cody did a fake and passed to Dylan. Dylan moved into the wing.

Derek put his hands up to catch the ball, but Jason ran in front of him. Dylan passed the ball to Jason instead. Jason turned around, so Derek put his hands out to catch the ball. Jason shook his head. Then he jumped up to shoot.

The Curren center jumped too, and before the ball reached the basket, the center hit the ball away.

Why didn’t Jason pass me the ball? thought Derek angrily. I was right under the basket.

One of the Curren forwards grabbed the ball. Everyone ran to the other end of the court. The clock was ticking down.

Derek ran as fast as he could to the other basket. I have to block this!

He jumped up, and wham! He hit the ball away.

“Attaboy, Derek,” yelled Coach from the sidelines.

Cody grabbed the ball, and the race was on. Everyone ran back to the other end of the court. Derek ran back to the basket and waited.

Cody passed to Garrett. Garrett passed to Dylan. Dylan passed to Ryan. Then Ryan pivoted and passed the ball to Derek.

At last, thought Derek, and he jumped with the ball. But an arm came out of nowhere and pushed Derek.

The ref’s whistle blew. “Personal foul.”

Oh no, thought Derek. I have to make a free throw again!