Kristy was incredibly excited about the scrimmage. She was in constant motion. “Their team is kind of short,” she said to Stacey as she checked out Franklin Township on the far side of the gym. “Don’t you think our girls are taller, mostly?”

Stacey nodded. “It looks that way.”

Kristy frowned. “But if they’re better players, height won’t matter. The Franklin Township team might be fast and good with the ball. Sometimes short kids can really run.”

“Don’t worry so much,” said Stacey. “It’s just a game.”

“But a game’s no fun if you don’t play to win.”

The GSBA members were thrilled to be wearing their uniforms for the first time. But they didn’t look exactly as Kristy had pictured them. (When she told me this, I just nodded and smiled.)

Kristy glanced into the bleachers and saw the Ramseys, her own parents, Dr. Johanssen, and several other parents she recognized. Someone tapped her on her shoulder and she turned.

“Hi,” Haley said a little shyly.

“You’re here!” Kristy hadn’t been sure if Haley’s punishment would be lifted in time for the game.

“Can I play?” Haley asked.

“I don’t know. You haven’t practiced as much as the other girls,” Kristy replied. Still, she knew Haley was a pretty good player. “I’m not going to start you,” she said after a moment’s thought. “But if things are going well, I’ll put you in.”

“Okay,” Haley agreed.

When it was time to begin, Kristy sent out her starting players. Vanessa jumped for the opening ball.

“Okay!” Kristy and Stacey shouted in unison as Vanessa took control of the basketball and steamed downcourt with it.

“Go, Vanessa, go!” Stacey screamed.

“Yesss!” Kristy cheered as, within seconds, Vanessa sunk the first basket of the game.

By the halfway mark, the GSBA had a six-point lead over Franklin Township. Kristy turned to Haley, who sat with several other teammates on folding chairs at the sideline. “Haley, you replace Becca. Charlotte, you replace Sara. And Karen, you take Diana’s place.” She wanted all the girls to play, and with a lead, she felt she could put in her second-string players.

She watched, anxiously chewing on her lower lip, as the second half of the game began.

“I’m not sure that was such a great idea,” Kristy said to Stacey several minutes into the second half of the game. Franklin Township had taken control of the ball and kept it for the last three minutes, sinking two baskets. The GSBA was down to a two-point lead.

“It’s more important that the girls get to play,” Stacey remarked. “You did the right thing.”

“Maybe,” Kristy said, not sounding too certain. “Uh-oh,” she said. She’d spotted Haley pushing into a Franklin Township girl while guarding her. The ref saw it at the same time and blasted her whistle.

Haley began arguing.

“I hope she’s not trying to lie her way out of this,” Stacey remarked.

“I’d better get out there,” Kristy said as she hurried onto the court.

“I didn’t touch her.” Haley was disagreeing with the ref when Kristy arrived.

“I’m sorry, young lady, but I saw you,” the ref replied.

Haley noticed Kristy, and their eyes met. Kristy couldn’t believe it. After everything Haley had said the evening before, she was lying again.

Haley must have read Kristy’s disappointed expression. “Maybe I did push her,” she said. “I didn’t mean to, but I might have accidentally nudged her.”

Kristy smiled at her. Even though the foul would cost the GSBA, it was more important that Haley had admitted the truth. She shot Haley a thumbs-up.

The free throws that the Franklin Township team won from Haley’s foul tied up the score. Kristy called a time-out and rearranged the players again. “Want me to sit?” Haley asked.

Kristy shook her head. “No, you’re playing well. Just be more careful while you’re guarding. Stand back a little more.”

“Okay. I’ll try.”

In the end, the GSBA won by two points. And it was Haley who sunk the winning basket. “Considering it was your first game as a team, you were excellent,” Kristy congratulated them. “I saw some things we’re going to work on. But mostly you girls rocked.”

They cheered, pumping their fists in the air, and jumped up and down, hugging one another.

“I’ll see you all at practice on Tuesday,” she called to them as their group broke up and headed in various directions.

Haley ran toward her parents, who stood waiting by the door. Halfway there, she turned and hurried back toward Kristy and Stacey. “Did you forget something?” Kristy asked.

“Yeah,” Haley said. “I forgot to say thanks for letting me play.” She looked down at her hands. “I know I’ve been a pain lately. So … thanks.”

Kristy punched her arm lightly. “No problem. Keep playing like you did today and I’ll start you next time.”

Haley smiled up at her. “I will.” With a wave, she ran back toward her parents.

“Wow, the old Haley has returned,” Stacey said.

“I know,” Kristy agreed. “There may be hope for that kid yet.”