Break for the Basket by Matt Christopher

Author:Matt Christopher [CHRISTOPHER, MATTHEW F]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780316095457
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2009-12-19T05:00:00+00:00

9

WHEN THE FIRST QUARTER ENDED, the Penguins trailed the Bucs 8 to 3. Mr. G. motioned to Emmett. Emmett toweled his face and neck, tossed the towel to Robin Hood, and went to see what Mr. G. wanted.

“How long have you played with these boys?” Mr. G. asked.

“Since before Christmas,” Emmett said.

“How well do you know them? Do you play with them or talk with them any time between games?”

Emmett thought a while. “No. I hardly see them.”

“Don’t you see them in school?”

“Yes, but — we don’t talk much.”

Mr. G. nodded, as if he understood.

“If your coach lets you in there this second quarter,” he said, “loosen up a bit. You’re too tense. Do more running. And do more shooting. You had some chances that first quarter.”

“I’ll try,” said Emmett.

The second quarter started with Emmett on the bench. This time Johnny Clark was playing forward. He dumped in two points, then was fouled as he tried to sink another. Two shots. He missed the first free throw, but sank the second. A minute before the quarter ended, Mr. Long had Emmett go in for Rusty Kane.

Emmett tried to keep Mr. G.’s suggestion firmly in the front of his mind. He ran more. Twice he was in the open, but neither time was the ball thrown to him.

At last he got a break. He intercepted a pass from the Bucs, pivoted, shot the ball to Robin Hood, and streaked for the basket. Robin dribbled toward the right baseline, then leaped as if to try a long shot. Instead, he snapped an overhand pass to Emmett. Emmett caught the ball, made a fast break toward the basket, and leaped up. With his right hand he gently laid the ball up against the backboard. Swish! The ball banked into the net for two points.

“Thatago, Em!” shouted Robin Hood.

The Bucs took out the ball. They moved it down-court and across the center line. Emmett’s man caught a pass and started to drive in. Anxiously, Emmett bolted in front of him. He hit the man’s shoulder. Shreeek! A foul! The referee held up one finger for the scorekeeper to note, and then five fingers to show who had committed the foul. Emmett raised his hand and shook his head glumly. He hadn’t meant to guard his man that close. He had to be more careful.

The Bucs’ player scored the shot. Then the horn blew, announcing the end of the first half.

The boys filed into the locker room. Coach Long followed them in. “Good game so far,” he said. “Nice shot, Emmett. You surprised me. You should do that more often.”

Emmett blushed. “Thanks,” he said.

Mr. Long didn’t say any more. Then the door opened again, and in came Mr. G. The whole team stared as the little man with the thick mop of red hair stood smiling in front of the door. He was smaller than Mr. Long, and only a couple of inches taller than Rusty Kane, the Penguins’ center.

“Hi,” he said. “Mind if I come in?”

None of the boys answered for a moment, as if stunned at seeing him in the room.

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