On Monday, Luisito hurried to the gym for basketball practice. The coach and his assistants had the students do layups, sprinting, and other drills. He also split them into teams and had them play a short game so they could practice their offense and defense.
Coach Jerry explained the strength and weaknesses of each one on the team and how they needed to complement one another if they wanted to win this season.
“Lewis, you have speed and you make good shots. Just work on your layups. Danny, don’t stop when you are dribbling. You will get called for a double dribble. Eric, bend those knees when you are going to take that free throw . . .” Coach Jerry continued.
That week, Luisito practiced hard every day with the team at school. When he got home right before dinner he practiced some more with the hoop outside the house. He paid attention to all the plays Coach Jerry drew in his notebook. He understood the plays well since they were drawn.
His first game was on Friday. The team won but he hadn’t played. He sat on the bench the whole game. This continued game after game. Luisito stopped telling his parents to come to the games because he hardly ever got called to play. Sherry came anyway, but it was embarrassing that he sat on the bench most of the time. He didn’t want to seem upset, so every game he smiled and cheered for his team, giving them high fives when they finished a quarter and listening attentively to all the plays. Paul told him that Coach Jerry rarely put in new players when the score was close, but if they were ever winning by a large margin, Luisito would definitely get a chance to play.
During the playoffs Eric had broken his ankle and was in a cast, so Paul was their point guard for this game. The score was 20–18 in their favor in the first quarter. In the second quarter the score got closer and closer.
They were now in the fourth quarter. The score was 40–38 and the other team was winning. Paul passed the ball to Ron, who tried to shoot, but his attempt was blocked by the other team. They tried the play again, and Paul was double-teamed before he could pass the ball. As he tried to break free he fell, twisting his ankle. Coach Jerry helped him to the bench while the crowd applauded.
The coach asked for a timeout. The team huddled, and Coach Jerry motioned to Luisito. “Come over here, Lewis,” he said. “You’re going in.”
Luisito jumped up and ran over.
“Ron, you take over as point guard. Pass the ball to Lewis. Lewis, you get close and make that shot. We are not asking you to make a three pointer. Just help us tie the game,” Coach Jerry explained.
The whistle blew and Luisito ran onto the court. The other team grabbed the ball and made their way down the court. Luisito found himself right beside the player with the ball. He stuck his hand out and grabbed the ball while the other player was dribbling. He sped all the way to the other end of the court. He glanced around and didn’t see anyone near him. He shot—and made it! All his team players rushed to high-five him. Now they were tied. After a timeout, the game started again, and the other team had the ball. They were running fast when Ron, who was in midcourt, swiftly took the ball from his opponent and threw it, making the shot seconds before the horn sounded. The Lions won by two points! They were going to the championship game!
Coach Jerry congratulated each one of them for their performance.
“Lewis, you were great! Good job. You used your instincts and that’s what counts. You got us in the game again,” Coach Jerry said, smiling.
Sonia and Rosie came down the bleachers and hugged Luisito. They pointed to the movie camera. They had everything on film to show Luisito’s parents, who were at night class, studying English.
As they were leaving, Luisito saw the local sports reporter who came to every game. He took notes on the games and even took pictures of the team. But that night, Luisito saw him toss his notebook in the trash can as he left. This man is no local sports reporter, Luisito thought. He is watching someone. The thought frightened him.