We Are Family by LeBron James

We Are Family by LeBron James

Author:LeBron James
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2021-07-26T00:00:00+00:00


Chapter 14

“A GAME? WE’RE NOT READY for an actual game!” Dex’s brow furrows above his glasses as his hands flail wildly in the air. “We don’t even have enough people for a team!”

“I know that,” Tamika says calmly. “That’s why I told my cousin to only bring four of their players.”

Dex’s breathing evens, but only slightly. “I don’t know, Tamika. I still don’t think we’re ready. We haven’t even learned any plays. Personally, I don’t feel—”

“Look,” Tamika says, cutting him off, “we’re never gonna feel ready until we have a reason to get ready. The Fall Invitational is around the corner. If we want to compete, we have to take this seriously. What happened to us being optimistic?”

Dex nods, but his face is still crumpled with concern. Nearby, Chris and Anthony only shrug. Anthony needs minimal convincing from Tamika to do just about anything. As for Chris? He’s simply there to hold up his end of the deal with Dex so he can pass Creative Writing.

“I really think we’ll be fine,” Tamika adds. “Like, for real, everybody on my cousin’s team is literally ten years old.”

This should have brought Dex a moment of relief, but as soon as Tamika finishes speaking, the 10U Lorain Lady Legion comes busting through the gym doors. The girls may be ten-and-under, but Dex can’t help but notice that they’re all taller, and likely stronger, than he is.

There’s a period of awkward hellos and competitive sizing up before Principal Kim takes her position as the referee. Minutes later, the game begins.

During the first couple of minutes of play, Tamika’s prophecy appears to be accurate. Chris makes a couple of easy layups on fast breaks, and Tamika hits a couple of mid-range jumpers to keep the score close early on. At the same time, Anthony is displaying Rodman-like presence on D, shutting down the paint with relative efficiency, while Dex does a pretty good job not turning the ball over. It’s a minor achievement but an important one, especially considering Dex’s skill level just a few weeks before.

Unfortunately, as the game wears on, Hoop Group’s collective effort just isn’t enough. Like the Tin Man without a heart or Phil Jackson without a triangle, the Hoop Groupers are incomplete. They’re a jumble of parts without the glue to hold them together.

By the beginning of the second half, the Lady Legion has fully adjusted their defense, double-teaming Tamika and forcing Hoop Group into a slower, half-court offense. Eventually, the shots stop falling, and without the ability to create momentum, a Hoop Group defeat becomes inevitable.

Once the game has ended and the fifth graders head back out the double doors, slapping fives and shouting praise, Dex’s heart goes hollow with envy. He wants that kind of chemistry for Hoop Group, but at this rate, they’ll be lucky to just get a fifth player. As practice ends, the Hoop Groupers gather on the bleachers to commiserate.

“What are we gonna do now?” Dex says, his eyes fixed on a hard, dry wad of gum stuck to the bleacher below him.



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.
Popular ebooks
Whisky: Malt Whiskies of Scotland (Collins Little Books) by dominic roskrow(73949)
What's Done in Darkness by Kayla Perrin(26971)
The Ultimate Python Exercise Book: 700 Practical Exercises for Beginners with Quiz Questions by Copy(20869)
De Souza H. Master the Age of Artificial Intelligences. The Basic Guide...2024 by Unknown(20626)
D:\Jan\FTP\HOL\Work\Alien Breed - Tower Assault CD32 Alien Breed II - The Horror Continues Manual 1.jpg by PDFCreator(20544)
The Fifty Shades Trilogy & Grey by E L James(19481)
Shot Through the Heart: DI Grace Fisher 2 by Isabelle Grey(19391)
Shot Through the Heart by Mercy Celeste(19248)
Wolf & Parchment: New Theory Spice & Wolf, Vol. 10 by Isuna Hasekura and Jyuu Ayakura(17397)
Python GUI Applications using PyQt5 : The hands-on guide to build apps with Python by Verdugo Leire(17370)
Peren F. Statistics for Business and Economics...Essential Formulas 3ed 2025 by Unknown(17208)
Wolf & Parchment: New Theory Spice & Wolf, Vol. 03 by Isuna Hasekura and Jyuu Ayakura & Jyuu Ayakura(17120)
Wolf & Parchment: New Theory Spice & Wolf, Vol. 01 by Isuna Hasekura and Jyuu Ayakura & Jyuu Ayakura(16729)
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson(14860)
The 3rd Cycle of the Betrayed Series Collection: Extremely Controversial Historical Thrillers (Betrayed Series Boxed set) by McCray Carolyn(14449)
Stepbrother Stories 2 - 21 Taboo Story Collection (Brother Sister Stepbrother Stepsister Taboo Pseudo Incest Family Virgin Creampie Pregnant Forced Pregnancy Breeding) by Roxi Harding(14246)
Cozy crochet hats: 7 Stylish and Beginner-Friendly Patterns from Baby Beanies to Trendy Bucket Hats by Vanilla Lazy(13522)
Scorched Earth by Nick Kyme(13111)
Reichel W. Numerical methods for Electrical Engineering, Meteorology,...2022 by Unknown(12988)
Drei Generationen auf dem Jakobsweg by Stein Pia(11277)