Spike It! by Matt Christopher

Author:Matt Christopher [CHRISTOPHER, MATTHEW F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780316095341
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2009-12-19T05:00:00+00:00

“Look, these things happen,” Coach McKean said at practice that afternoon, her face a mask of concern. “We’ll just have to find a way to win without Laurie. Because I’ll tell you one thing. If we don’t win our next two games—including the one against West Side—I don’t think we’ll make the play-offs. West Side is not going to lie down and die so that we can win the division. We’re all going to have to step up now, understand?”

“Yeah!” everyone shouted, responding to the urgent tone in their coach’s voice.

“All right, now let’s get up and scrimmage.”

The Sharks divided into two teams of six each, with Coach McKean filling in for Laurie. Jamie was on the opposite team. She and Laurie had always done that, the two best players splitting up to make it fair.

Jamie could see that Coach McKean was holding back from the action, trying to see which of the Shark substitutes would be able to replace Laurie in the starting lineup.

Though all the girls were capable players, not one of the substitutes showed the energy or ability Laurie had. It wasn’t their fault—for some of them, it was their first year on the team.

After practice, Coach McKean gathered them all together by the bleachers. She looked them all over. “Okay. Good practice. I can see we’re not just going to fold up down the stretch. But I can’t help wishing we had a full roster to go into these last two games.”

The girls all exchanged glances. What was Coach getting at? Jamie wondered.

“I don’t want to do anything that would upset our team chemistry,” the coach continued. “East Side Middle’s not that big a school, and everyone who wanted to be on the team came down to tryouts in September.

“At that time, I took everyone I thought could help us be a winning team. But I don’t know, maybe I missed someone. Does any of you know of anyone who might be able to help? Maybe someone who didn’t try out but who wants to now, and is a good athlete?”

Michaela’s voice popped into Jamie’s head. “… since you’re on the team, I thought it would be cool if I tried out.”

Jamie ignored the voice. She kept her mouth shut and looked from girl to girl to see if anyone else could think of someone. No one did. Jamie breathed a sigh of relief.

At that very moment, as if on cue, as if she’d been listening at the door the whole time, just waiting to make her big entrance, Michaela burst into the gym. “Hi!” she called out, then stopped when she saw the team sitting in the bleachers. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

“No, not at all,” Coach McKean assured her. “We’re done. What can I do for you…?”

“Michaela. Michaela Gordon. I’m Jamie Bonner’s new stepsister.”

“Oh, yes, I heard your name mentioned in the teacher’s lounge,” the coach said, shaking Michaela’s hand and giving her a warm smile. “Mr. Marra says you’re a math whiz. Anyway, welcome to East Side Middle.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.