Switch-Hitter by Derek Jeter

Author:Derek Jeter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Published: 2022-04-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten BY THE SKIN OF THEIR TEETH

“We’re going with the same starting lineup as last game,” Coach Nelson told the team. “Everybody ready?”

The Friars all shouted, “YEAH!”

But Derek could see that Gio’s heart wasn’t in it. He slammed his locker door shut and headed into the gym on his own, instead of with the rest of the team.

Derek’s ankle was still throbbing a little from when he twisted it the day before on the stairs, but not enough for him to say anything to Coach Nelson. Derek wasn’t about to give up his starting role to Gio—not when he was being counted on to be a team leader!

Today the Friars were at home for the second straight game, facing the Wolves of Williams Academy. Derek didn’t recognize any of their players, and he had no idea how good they were. On the other hand, that meant the Wolves had no idea what the Friars could do either.

Gio was sitting at the far end of the bench with a towel over his head, even though he hadn’t broken a sweat yet. The rest of the team gathered around Coach Nelson.

Derek wondered if the coach noticed Gio sitting apart. If he did, he didn’t let on. “Let’s go get ’em!” he said, and the team let out a yell and high-fived one another as the starters headed onto the court for the opening tip.

Marcus outjumped the other center, and Derek grabbed the loose ball. He drove down the court and, seeing that he had a lane to the basket, took it to the hoop for an easy layup!

He hustled back on defense. The Wolves’ small forward threw up a wild shot, and when Marcus grabbed the rebound, Derek was already flying back down the court, a step ahead of his man. Marcus hit him on the fly. Derek stopped, pulled up, and hit the open jumper!

Four minutes later the Friars had a 10–3 lead. Eight of those points were Derek’s, but he knew that one of his biggest jobs was to spread the ball around. The next time downcourt he drove the lane, looking to dish off to the open man.

But no one was open—and Derek, sinking a beautiful floater, was simply taking what the defense was giving him.

Running back on defense after scoring his tenth point, he stole a glimpse at Gio. He was following Derek’s every move, with eyes that looked like hot coals.

Wait till I get my chance, Derek could almost hear him thinking. I’ll show everyone who’s got the better game!

For his part Derek was starting to feel the effects of all that early effort. His ankle was throbbing now, worse than before. Still, he thought he could play through it.

Ten minutes in, Coach Nelson made a bunch of substitutions, putting Gio in along with the rest of the second team. Derek tried not to limp as he walked back to the bench.

He didn’t look at Gio as they passed. Derek was handing him a ten-point lead. If Gio could build on it, or at least hold the fort, so much the better for the whole team.

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