Chapter 7
On Westfield’s next possession, Isaac held the ball at the top of the key a little longer than usual. Trey was open. Everyone could see that. He was the only Wildcat who’d been able to shake his man long enough to get open for a pass.
Trey bounced around, dodging Pete, staying open, but Isaac still held the ball. He looked at the other three Wildcats on the court.
Isaac probably thinks I’ll mess up again, Trey thought. But Trey didn’t plan to try to show off this time. He’d play it just like he was supposed to.
I’m not going to make that mistake a third time, he thought.
Finally, Isaac passed to Trey. Trey caught the pass easily, then faked toward the hoop.
Pete darted alongside to keep up, but Trey stopped short. His sneakers squeaked on the wood floor as he drew up and shot. Two points!
“How’s that?” Trey said when Pete turned to face him. “Now who’s better?”
Pete smirked at his older cousin.
“Nothing to say now, huh?” Trey said.
Pete shook his head and jogged away to start the next possession.
“That’s right,” Trey called after him. “Walk away. Because you know you got nothing!”
“Trey!” the coach suddenly snapped from the sidelines. “On the bench, right now!” Coach Turnbull was red in the face and out of breath. Trey swallowed. He didn’t like it when the coach was angry.
“Do I need to take you out of this game, Trey?” Coach T asked.
Trey sighed. “No,” he said.
“You said it wouldn’t be a problem playing against your cousin,” Coach Turnbull went on. “But I see now that it is a problem. As a matter of fact, it’s looking like a very big problem.”
“No, honest, Coach,” Trey said. “It’s not a problem. I was just kidding around.”
The coach just stared at him.
“For real, Coach T,” Trey continued. “I just made all those mistakes before, and I was excited to score. That’s all.”
“Speaking of those mistakes, those weren’t like you, Trey,” Coach T said. “You’re normally a reliable player. You stick to the plan and score points. It’s why you’re the captain of the team.”
“I’m sorry, Coach,” Trey said. “It won’t happen again, honest.”
The coach sighed. “All right,” he said. “You get one more chance out there. No more trash talking, and no more crazy chances. Follow the plan and the Wildcats win, got it?”
“I got it,” Trey said. The ref blew the whistle and Trey ran out to join the game.
On defense, Trey stayed calm, but he couldn’t stop thinking about how mad Coach Turnbull had been. The coach never got mad at Trey. Sure, he sometimes hollered at Dwayne Illy for showing off, or at PJ for goofing around during practice. But Trey? He was the team captain.
This is all Pete’s fault, Trey thought. I’ll get him back.
Eastlake drove up the court. This time, their forward found their center, who had posted up. But his shot was off.
The rebound came right to Trey. He shoveled it to Isaac and the Westfield fans cheered as they headed back up the court.
Isaac raised a fist as he ran up. Trey followed the play and hustled to his spot just as Pete came up on him.
Now’s my chance, Trey thought.
Trey caught the pass, then spun and knocked into Pete. He only hit him with his shoulder, but the ref spotted it. A whistle went off just as Trey laid up the ball for a basket.
“No points,” the ref called out. “Charging on Westfield Smith. Eastlake Smith will take two shots.”
“What?!” Trey shouted at the ref, but Coach T had a hand on his shoulder right away.
“Bench,” Coach T said. “Now.”