Shooting Star by Michael Embry

Author:Michael Embry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: basketball, high school, racism, sports, bullying, Down syndrome, rural, Kentucky, young adult action
Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
Published: 2023-03-25T00:00:00+00:00

IN THE NEXT GAME, WEBSTER substituted much more freely but the overall effort by the players lacked consistency and continuity. They didn’t look like the best team in the state; not even the best in the region. They pulled out a ten-point victory over Stone City that should have been twice as much. It took timely shooting by Jesse in the final four minutes of the game to secure the win. It may have been their worst overall effort of the season.

“I saw what you were doing,” Coach Billings said after the game.

“It was that obvious?”

“Yes, it was.”

“Not a good idea?” Webster said with a frown.

“Maybe you went overboard. I think perhaps we need to build a bigger lead during the game before you start running players in and out. You know what I’m sayin’?”

“You’re right,” Webster said with a weary smile. “I can’t believe I’m that sensitive. I must be getting old.”

“We’re lucky we have the talent we have, especially with Jesse. That boy hit some clutch shots down the stretch for us.”

“For some reason, Jesse didn’t seem up to speed tonight. What do you think?”

“He did seem to be dragging a bit.”

Webster went to the locker room. Most of the boys had left but Jesse was still getting dressed.

“Good game, son,” Webster said as he approached Jesse. “You made some big shots for us in the end.”

“Thanks, Coach,” Jesse said. “I had some good passes when I got open.”

“How have you been feeling?”

“Okay, I guess. I’m a little tired for some reason.”

“Are you coming down with something? Fever? Sore throat?”

“No, sir,” Jesse said, clearing his throat. “I just feel a little groggy.”

“We’ve had a few students come down with the flu in the past couple of weeks. Have you had your flu shot?”

“Uh, no, sir.”

“Well, in the next day or so we’re going to have the school nurse provide flu shots for everyone on the team. You be sure and get one. We don’t want to take any chances this season with any of the players coming down with the flu.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll do that.”

After practice the next day, Billings gave each of the players and managers permission slips from the school to be signed by their parents for flu shots. Two days later, they were given vaccinations.

Jesse hadn’t been feeling any better since he had talked to Coach Webster. He was experiencing fatigue, although his effort in practice made it hardly noticeable by his teammates.

But his mother sensed he wasn’t up to par when he got home that evening.

“I’m taking you to the doctor tomorrow,” Mary said at the door to his bedroom. Instead of getting a quick snack in the kitchen, he had stretched out on his bed.

“Aw, Mom, I’m okay. I just have a cold or something. I’ll be all right.”

“I don’t care,” she said. “You’ve been moping around the past few days. It could be something serious.”

“Your mother is right,” said his father, standing behind her in the doorway.

“But we have a big game this weekend.

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