“Ballin’!” Maya said as Clifton United walked into the office area of Hoops Haven.
“We’re ranked number two,” A-Wu said, pointing to the ginormous scoreboard on the wall.
The scoreboard looked like March Madness brackets, but none of the pairings had been posted yet. All the teams were listed on the side.
I checked the office. I didn’t see him.
“We’re not number two,” Mega-Man said, and flicked A-Wu’s ear. “The teams are in alphabetical order.”
The office was located above the field house courts. I could hear the bouncing balls, squeaking sneakers, and echoing voices coming from the other side of the large window behind where the tournament officials were seated.
“Hang out here for a sec,” Coach Acevedo said. He thumbed the officials. “Let me find out where we need to be.”
The office door opened. I flinched. Some teenagers carrying mesh bags of basketballs walked in. One of them held the door for the grown-up behind him, who was pushing a hand truck loaded with bottled water.
With both hands, I gripped the locks above my neck. Diego, Zoe, and Super-Size stood by the window looking at the courts. Maya, Red, and Mega-Man were passing around a basketball. Where was he? He had to be here. Was he down by the courts? Was he still outside? Was he—
I wobbled. He was with Coach Acevedo. Shaking hands with Coach Acevedo. Smiling proud and motioning my way.
“Is that your dad?” Maya asked. She caught the pass from Mega-Man and faced me.
“Yeah.”
My stomach felt like Halloween night again. Only a gazillion times worse.
“Yo, the courts are sick!” Diego bounded over. “Come check them out.”
My eyes stayed on Coach Acevedo and my father.
Diego rested his arm on my shoulder. “You okay?”
I swallowed. “I think so.”
“Let’s do this.” Diego jump-turned to Mimi and gave her double pounds. “Let’s do this.”
“Let’s circle up,” Coach Acevedo said. He waved the team to the corner with one hand and rested the other on my father’s shoulder. “I’d like to introduce you to the person who came through big-time for Clifton United. This is … What do you want us to call you?”
My father shrugged. “You can call me … call me … call me David.” He looked at me.
My eyes stayed on Coach Acevedo.
“Thanks, David.” Maya waved.
Speedy reached out and shook his hand.
“I’m Yvonne Rivera,” Ms. Yvonne said, and stepped forward. “Very nice to meet you. Thank you so much.”
“Good to see you again, David,” Diego said, waving his arms over his head and grinning.
“Good to see you again, too, Diego.”
“Good to see you again, Rip’s Dad,” Red added.
“Red.” My father chin-nodded. “Great seeing you here, pal.”
“I have our schedule,” Coach Acevedo said.
“Who do we play?” Zoe asked.
“We play a team called the Renegades first. That’s on court two at eight forty-five.”
“Yo, this is going to be sick!” Diego jumped in circles. “I’m fired up, fired up, fired up!”
“At eleven,” Coach Acevedo said, “we’re over on court six playing a team called Almond.”
“Almond?” Mega-Man and Super-Size said at the same time.
“That’s what they told me,” Coach Acevedo said. “These pool-play games determine the seedings for the next round.”
My eyes still hadn’t left Coach Acevedo. I had to be all basketball. No distractions, no matter what.
Easier said than done.
The office door opened again. This time, another team walked in. It was the team from the pool. They were all wearing black hoodies and black shorts. Some had on headphones.
“How’s it going, guys?” Hudson said.
“Yo, what’s up?” Diego said.
None of them answered. None of them looked our way. They just walked straight to the door with the sign TO COURTS 1–8 above it.
Coach B. nodded to Coach Acevedo as she passed. She didn’t break stride.
“Whoa,” I said after they’d all left.
“That was weird,” Mehdi said.
“That was cold,” Speedy added.
“That was gamesmanship,” Coach Acevedo said. “Ordinarily, I’d say if you don’t know what gamesmanship means, look it up when you get home. But since we’re not going home for a while, I’ll tell you.”
“Head games,” I said.
“Exactly,” Coach Acevedo said. “It’s a way of getting into your opponent’s head. It’s a little questionable at this level, but it’s perfectly legal.” He drew a circle in the air with his finger. “Don’t let them play you. Don’t be psyched out.”