Chapter 12

SURPRISE!

Derek scored.

The Giant scored.

Derek scored.

The Giant scored.

The fourth quarter was almost over and the score was 53 to 51, Allen.

Coach Taylor called a time-out. “Jason, you have to stop their center from scoring.”

“I’m trying, Coach,” said Jason, “but he’s a giant.”

“I can see that,” said Coach Taylor. “But you still have to guard him.” Coach looked at his clipboard. “I think it’s time for someone else to play center.”

“But, Coach!” said Jason.

“If you can’t do the job,” said Coach, “then we need to give it to someone else. We’re zero and two this season.”

“Because of Derek,” said Jason.

“Derek has scored most of our points this game,” said Coach Taylor.

“He never passes to me,” said Jason.

“Their center has you blocked,” said Coach. “It’s not about you, Jason. It’s what’s best for the team.”

“I know,” said Jason, “but—”

“No buts about it,” said Coach. He turned to Derek. “I want you to play center for the rest of the game, Derek. Jason, you go back to forward.”

“Derek!” said Jason.

“Okay, Coach,” said Derek.

“It’s the element of surprise,” said Coach Taylor. “They won’t be expecting us to move our top scorer to a new position so late in the game.”

Jason gave Derek a dirty look.

“We’re only down by two points,” said Coach Taylor. “Let’s win this one!”

The Giant had just scored, so the ball went to Hampton.

Cody took the ball out.

Derek ran back toward the basket. I have my job back! Now I have to show Coach I can stay here!

Cody passed the ball to Garrett. Garrett did a fast pass to Jason. Jason passed the ball to Ryan. Ryan turned around and jumped! The ball went in the basket. Two points! The score was tied at 53.

Now the Giant’s team had the ball. Derek ran back to the other basket. I have to keep the Giant from scoring.

Just like clockwork, the Allen team passed the ball to the Giant. He came up to the low post, and Derek jumped up to block his shot. Whap! The ball flew back to center court.

“What!” yelled the Giant.

It was a surprise, thought Derek as he ran to the other side of the court. Derek ran to the low post and Garrett passed him the ball. Derek jumped up. Now we can win.

Wham!

Suddenly Derek was flat on his back.

Tweet! The ref blew the whistle. “Personal foul.”

Derek picked himself up off the floor. Man, that Giant can hit! Derek’s back throbbed as he walked over to the free throw line.

He glanced at the clock. Two seconds left in the game!

“You can do it, Derek” said Cody.

Derek rubbed his aching back.

The ref handed him the ball. “You have two throws,” he said.

Derek nodded his head. He lifted the ball and studied the basket. Then he bent his knees and shot the ball.

Clank! The first shot hit the rim and bounced out.

I have to make this second one, thought Derek.

The ref handed Derek the ball again. “Last shot.”

Don’t I know it, thought Derek. I have to show Coach that I can shoot free throws!

Derek lifted the ball and looked at the basket. Here goes nothing! He bent his knees and shot the ball.

The ball sailed through the air.

Swish! The ball dropped right into the center of the net!

Bzzzt! The buzzer rang.

The game was over.

Game point, thought Derek.

We won! I did it!