Whippersnapper by Felice Arena

Author:Felice Arena [Arena, Felice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781742533667
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia
Published: 2011-06-22T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

17

The Manning High fans roar. The Pennsbury High crowd is dead silent. First quarter is over.

I look up at the scoreboard: Giants – 23, Pennsbury – 8.

Just as I predicted – Manning High had charged in front. My teammates are shell-shocked.

‘Come on, pull it together!’ I shout.

‘They look shattered,’ says Henry. ‘Don’t be too hard on them, Georgie. They’ve been through a lot this week.’

I nod to Henry, but deep down I know that we’re better than this.

‘Principal Franklin!’ I call out. ‘I mean, Tony!’

Principal Franklin looks back at me.

‘Get Ryan and Charlie to drive the ball quicker. They need to step it up. Tell everyone to pick up the pace – and to take a shot when they can. They’re over-thinking it. Will’s been forced out of the game – get him and Bobby under the basket again.’

Principal Franklin nods, but I’m not sure how much he understood. I watch him pass my message on to my teammates. I catch Bobby and Charlie looking up at me curiously.

The second quarter begins. The gym erupts again, with deafening chants coming from both camps.

We get possession of the ball immediately. Charlie drives for the basket, not giving the Giants time to snap into defence mode. Great! He’s caught them off guard. Charlie swiftly passes it to Ryan, who’s open in the far left wing. He shoots. Swish! A big three-pointer! YES!

The Pennsbury fans jump to their feet. And so do I.

‘Way to go, Ryan!’ I shout. ‘Man-on-man defence! Forget zone!’

My teammates are fired up. What an awesome start to the quarter. That’s what they need – a real confidence boost.

Woah! A steal from Charlie and he finishes it off with an easy lay-up.

‘YES!’ I shout in chorus with the rest of the crowd.

The Manning High Giants look rattled as my teammates take advantage. Will and Dwayne join in the action – and score a couple of baskets each. And Bobby is rebounding like a fiend. Now they’re playing offensively!

I give Principal Franklin the thumbs-up as he glances back at me. By halftime, my beloved Panthers have clawed their way back into the game. The scoreboard now reads: Giants – 36, Panthers – 31.

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