Chapter 9
Daniel met with PJ and Isaac on the courts for the next two mornings. By the time team practice came around the day before the game, Daniel was feeling pretty good about his layups.
The team sat on the bleachers and Coach Turnbull stood before them. “To get ready for game day, and to help me choose a starting small forward,” he said, “we’re going to play some five-on-five today.”
Coach T looked at his clipboard. “Now, as you probably noticed, Dwayne Illy is off to his family reunion already,” the coach went on, “so at small forward on the red team will be Daniel Friedland. For the blue team, Scott Dean will play small forward.”
Daniel looked at Scott. He was obviously surprised to hear his name called, since he was normally a guard.
“The four starters, split between red and blue,” Coach T said, “and the rest of the second-string, fill in the gaps. Let’s get started.”
PJ and Isaac both ended up on Daniel’s team. They both gave him a high five after they’d all pulled on their red scrimmage jerseys.
“You feel ready?” Isaac asked.
Daniel nodded. “Definitely,” he said. “Those guys don’t know what they’re in for.”
Daniel was right.
The coach blew his whistle to start play. The red team got possession first and PJ passed to Isaac.
Isaac held the ball at the top of the key, looking for Daniel. Isaac held up two fingers, calling the play.
Daniel cut across the key and caught Isaac’s pass. He spun to his left, then to his right. Then he drove to the hoop.
Hank Jones, the second-string center, barely tried to stop the drive. Like the rest of the team, he thought Daniel was no good from the floor. But Daniel surprised everyone.
With one long step, Daniel jumped. He loosely let the ball glide off his hand. It hit the backboard gently and fell in for two points.
“Nice one, Daniel,” PJ called.
Isaac held up his palm for a high five. “Nice layup,” he said.
Daniel slapped his hand. “Now they know I can shoot,” he said.
Isaac nodded. “So now we go with plan B,” he said.