Chapter 10
On the blue team’s first possession, Scott proved what a great ball handler he was. He took a pass outside the key, then drove to the hoop. He fooled three defenders and went for a layup. PJ was right in his face, though.
Coach T blew his whistle. “Foul,” he called. “Watch the arm, PJ.”
So Scott went to the line.
Daniel already knew Scott’s ball handling was great, but he hadn’t seen him shoot too many foul shots before. Scott stood at the line, took a deep breath, and shot. The ball hit the backboard too low. It launched off the back of the rim, right back to Scott.
“One more, one more,” the coach said. “Make it a good one.”
The players on the sides of the lane got ready to go for the rebound. PJ bounced lightly on his toes. Scott raised the ball for his second shot and let it go.
PJ jumped and got the rebound. Daniel turned and headed up the court. PJ’s pass was perfect. Daniel took it right to the hoop, but Hank Jones was right next to him. The coach’s whistle sounded again.
“Foul, Hank,” Coach T said. “Take the line, Daniel.”
“This is our game now,” Isaac said, smiling. Scott gave him a nasty look.
Coach T handed Daniel the ball. Daniel spun it between his palms and faced the basket. He raised the ball, exhaled, and shot.
Swish!
“Nice shot,” Isaac said, clapping. “Nice shot.”
“One more,” the coach said. PJ tossed the rebound to the coach, who handed the ball to Daniel.
Daniel held the ball up, lined up the shot, and let it go. The ball hit the backboard softly and fell in.
“That’s two more points,” Coach Turnbull said. “Blue ball.”
* * *
Daniel went on to score twenty points in the scrimmage. The red team beat the blue team easily. At the end of practice, Daniel, Isaac, and PJ were celebrating. Coach Turnbull went over to them.
“Daniel, come talk to me for a minute,” Coach Turnbull said. Isaac and PJ slapped Daniel on the back as he followed the coach over to the bench.
“What’s up, Coach T?” Daniel said. He took a seat on the bench and faced his coach.
“So, Daniel,” Coach Turnbull said, “you sure have improved a lot, especially on those layups.”
“Thanks,” Daniel said. “But I don’t deserve all the credit. Isaac and PJ practiced with me a lot the last few days.”
The coach looked surprised. “They did?” he asked. “When?”
“They met me at the public courts before school,” Daniel said. “I’m always down there, usually to practice free throws.”
“I’m really impressed with your attitude, Daniel,” the coach said. “That makes me even more sure of this decision. I have no problem with starting you in the game tomorrow. I’m sure you’ll do well.”
“Thanks, Coach T,” Daniel replied.
“Dwayne is going to move up to the high school team next year,” the coach said. “That means I’ll be looking for a new starting forward!”
Daniel’s mouth dropped open. “Really?” he asked.
The coach nodded. “That’s right,” he said. “So how would you like to be our new small forward?”
Daniel jumped to his feet and smiled. “That would be great!” he said. “I’ll keep practicing too, every morning.”
The coach laughed. “I believe it,” he said. “Now go get showered and rest up for tomorrow. Maybe take tomorrow morning off, huh?”
Daniel headed to the locker room and opened his locker. His uniform was there, still nearly as clean as the day he got it.
“I’ll have to bring that home after tomorrow’s game,” he said to himself. “I’ll finally break a sweat on game day.”