Point Guard Prank by Jake Maddox

Author:Jake Maddox
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction/Sports & Recreation/Basketball
ISBN: 9781434242075
Publisher: Capstone
Published: 2013-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

ONE-ON-ONE

After Ryan exchanged the tutu and ballet slippers for his practice clothes, he and Ned walked out of the gym and down the hall together. Ned stopped at his locker and pulled out a basketball. “You up for a little one-on-one?” he asked, smiling.

“Not here,” Ryan said, shaking his head. “How about at the park?”

“You’re on,” Ned replied.

Ryan and Ned headed to a nearby park. There, they found an old basketball hoop that was missing its net. Though he was tired from practice and hungry for dinner, Ryan was excited to play. It had been forever since he’d played just for fun.

“We’ll play to eleven points,” Ned said. “Then I need to get home and eat.”

“And take a shower,” Ryan said. “I can still smell that stink powder.”

Ned grinned. “Your ball,” he said.

Ryan drove to the basket and was surprised that Ned stuck right to him. Ned’s defense was tough to drive through. When Ryan turned, Ned was there. When Ryan faked by pretending to shoot at the basket, Ned didn’t take the bait. They traded points, one after the other. Ryan had to work hard for every shot he made.

Ned pulled off some fancy footwork and even spun around, all while dribbling. It was a flashy move that Ryan wasn’t ready for. He found himself laughing as Ned sank the shot.

“Nice,” Ryan said, clapping. “Where did you learn to show off like that?”

“Not sure,” Ned said, smiling. “Maybe I scared Coach Nielsen when he was picking the team. Most coaches don’t want their players showing off.”

“Maybe,” Ryan said. “But you’re good. I think you’re probably better than half of the guys on the Hammers.”

Ned grinned and said, “You don’t need to say that to make me feel better.”

“Seriously,” Ryan said. “You play like this for tryouts next season and you’ll definitely make the team.”

“Thanks,” Ned said. Then he tossed the basketball to Ryan and added, “Your ball.”

* * *

One game turned into two, and two games turned into four. Ryan could hardly believe it when he realized how late it was.

“Oh, wow,” Ryan said. “I need to get home.”

“Last point of the game,” Ned said and drove to the basket.

“Not so fast!” Ryan shouted. He’d learned quickly to watch Ned’s midsection to play tighter defense. If Ned shifted right, he stepped right with him. So when Ned stopped with his back to the basket, Ryan knew he had him.

“Game over,” Ryan said, slapping at the ball.

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