Clifton United stood on the baseline and waited for the next whistle. We were running up-and-backs. That’s what the drill was called. On my select team, we called it by a different name, but Coach Acevedo didn’t like that name.
“I want to see everyone running like Rip this time,” he said.
Running like Rip.
I liked the way that sounded. Make that, I loved the way that sounded.
As soon as Coach had finished his talk, I shifted right into firing-on-all-cylinders-revved-up basketball mode. No way was anyone beating me today. No way.
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We burst from the baseline.
Sprint to the foul line. Sprint back.
Sprint to half-court. Sprint back.
Sprint to the far foul line. Sprint back.
Sprint to the other baseline. Sprint back.
I finished first.
Again.
“One more time!” Coach Acevedo shouted. “Run like Rip.”
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I was running like Rip, too. Like Rip Hamilton. He played for the Detroit Pistons back in the day. He was known as the Running Man. That’s how I got my nickname. Mom says I run around like the Energizer Bunny. I had to YouTube the Energizer Bunny to know what she was talking about.
I finished first.
Again.
“Last set!” Coach Acevedo called. “We go hard!”
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I won again. Undefeated.
“You can’t lose, Mason Irving!” Red panted. “You’re Clifton United’s up-and-back running machine!” He held out his fist.
I swatted it with my fingers and then clasped my hands behind my head and took long breaths. “We definitely need a new handshake.”
“Keep pushing your teammates, Rip,” Coach Acevedo said as we lined up for the next drill. “Keep setting the tone. Lead the way.”
Fine by me.
The next conditioning drill was the zigzag drill. Last season when we tried running this, instead of pivoting and sliding the length of the court, Clifton United stumbled over the mini-cones, knocked one another down, and ran in every direction but the correct one. Before we started today, Coach Acevedo showed us what the drill looked like on his iPad.
“We run this drill in defensive stances, pivoting and sliding,” he explained.
Everyone said they knew what to do, but I could tell everyone didn’t. So it was time to lead the way. Just like Coach Acevedo wanted. It was …
“I see you, Rip,” Tiki said, lining up behind me. She blew a bubble and popped it. “I’m coming for you.”
“What?” I made a face. I still couldn’t believe Coach Acevedo was letting her chew gum during practice.
“I’m coming for you.” She pointed two fingers at her eyes and then pointed them at me. “I’m passing you.”
I looked around. She had me on blast. Everyone heard.
“That’s not what this drill is about,” I said. “You’re not supposed to pass me.”
“Then don’t let me.” She snort-laughed again.
No way was she passing me. No way.
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She didn’t pass me. Just like I said she wouldn’t.
“Way to set the tone out there, Rip,” Coach Acevedo said. “Way to lead the way.”