Thursday’s game was across town at Rockford Junior High. On the way there, Shaena sat in the back of the bus with Marisol, Annie, and the rest of the team, who were laughing and joking.
Shaena had a hard time joining in. Her mind was on the past two practices. They’d gone a little better. She had helped Coach Riley review the team’s shooting statistics, and she’d read up on old plays and strategies. But it still hurt to see her teammates practice new plays without her.
Worse, Jessie was getting better at playing post. She was looking more comfortable with the team, too, easily chatting with Marisol, Christine, and Annie between drills.
Usually, Shaena would’ve been happy to see a teammate improve so much. But lately all she could do was worry. By the time her head healed, would the team even need her, or would the South Redford Tigers have a new starting post?
“Hey, Shaena,” Marisol said quietly, giving her a little nudge. “You okay?”
Yeah, just great, thought Shaena sharply. Aloud, she simply pointed to her head and said, “Headache.”
She spent of the rest of the short drive staring out the bus window.
* * *
For the first time since she’d started playing basketball, Shaena was sitting on the bench in her street clothes instead of standing out on the floor in her uniform when the game began. Jessie had started the game in Shaena’s place.
The game was another close contest. Rockford was known for their strong defense, and the South players had to mix things up to get an open shot.
At least Marisol was having a great night. After halftime, she stole the ball from a Rockford player just as she was getting ready to shoot. Marisol bolted up the court, dodged two defenders, and went in for a layup. South led by four!
Shaena couldn’t help but jump up and cheer along with the rest of the team at Marisol’s exciting coast-to-coast move. “Way to go, Mari!” she shouted. Marisol grinned.
Almost absently, Shaena noted that the jumping and cheering didn’t make her head hurt.
As the Rockford players took the ball back down the court, Shaena saw Marisol whisper something in Jessie’s ear. South had the height advantage with her at post. Jessie stood at least a few inches taller than Rockford’s tallest player.
Shaena watched with envy as Jessie got near the basket and used her height to pull down a rebound. She gripped the ball and turned up the court.
Marisol was already sprinting to South’s basket. Jessie drew the ball back and threw it as hard as she could in Marisol’s direction. Rockford’s point guard realized too late what was happening, but she ran to try to catch Marisol anyway. Marisol caught the pass, dribbled once, and scored.
Everyone on the bench jumped up clapping again. South was on fire.
“Amazing pass, Jessie! And great finish, Marisol!” shouted Coach. She turned to Shaena. “That fast-paced offense is exactly what we need to throw off Rockford’s defense. Jessie and Marisol are really working well together.”
Shaena nodded, but all of the excitement had leaked out of her in a whoosh at the coach’s praise. It looks like the team doesn’t need me anymore after all, she thought bitterly.
She looked up just in time to see Marisol high-fiving Jessie. They were both smiling, eyes shining. They looked like they were having the time of their lives.
Shaena swallowed a lump in her throat. Maybe Marisol doesn’t need me, either.
South was on fire for the rest of the game, keeping up the fast breaks and aggressive offense. The Rockford coach called a couple of time-outs to try to stop South’s momentum, but it was no use. When the final buzzer sounded, South had won with a ten-point lead.
After Coach Riley’s post-game talk, Shaena quickly gathered up her things to leave the locker room. She didn’t want anyone to see the tears she was struggling to hold back. But when she turned around, Jessie was standing behind her.
“Hey, Shaena,” said Jessie.
“Hey, Jessie,” replied Shaena flatly. “Great game.”
“Thanks,” said Jessie, smiling nervously. “Listen, um, can I ask you something?”
Shaena frowned. “Sure.”
“Um . . .” started Jessie, looking at the floor. “Can you give me a few tips sometime? Like on defense? And that drop step move that you do. I can’t seem to get the hang of it.”
Shaena stared at Jessie. Emotions spun around inside her like a tornado. After the game Jessie had just played, she was asking Shaena for help? Shaena was flattered.
But then she remembered Jessie and Marisol’s high five, like they were best friends. Like Jessie was taking her place. That fiery anger flared up in Shaena’s chest again. She made her face expressionless.
“Yeah, sure,” Shaena replied. “Sometime. You know, when I’m better. But I’m not sure you really need my help. Maybe you should just practice with your best friend Marisol.”
Shaena walked past Jessie before the other post player could say anything. As she headed toward the door, she brushed past Marisol.
Marisol turned, her eyes full of concern. “Shaena, wait —”
But Shaena didn’t wait. She just walked out of the locker room without another word.