The Squared Circle by JAMES W. BENNETT

Author:JAMES W. BENNETT
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781497684010
Publisher: Open Road Media Teen & Tween

6

Even though Coach Gentry was a composed and sophisticated man, the strain he felt was evident in his answers to reporters. He turned aside all questions about the impending NCAA investigation with a brusque “no comment.” After two easy road wins at Tulsa and Wichita State, reporters asked him if the SIU schedule was holding the team back.

“We make no apologies for the Missouri Valley Conference,” Gentry replied. “We think the teams in our league are quality opponents, and we expect we’ll have to work extremely hard to beat them.”

Sonny, squirmy in his seat at the press conference table, wasn’t surprised at this line of questioning. It was becoming routine. Besides, it was standard grist for the discussion mill among Uncle Seth and his cronies.

But the reporter persisted, “Apparently, the national polls are suspicious of your schedule, or you would be rated number one by now.”

“We don’t spend our time worrying about the polls,” Gentry said. “Polls are fun for the fans.”

“Do you think you’d be undefeated playing a Big Ten schedule?” asked another reporter. Sonny recognized him as one of the Chicago writers. The question was obviously loaded.

Gentry had a smile on his face, but not in his voice. “I’ve already stated how much respect we have for our opponents. Our hands are full taking care of business in the Missouri Valley. The teams in the Big Ten and the Big Eight will have to take care of their own business. What happens in other conferences is not something we can control. Neither is what goes on in the polls.”

Then another man asked Sonny what he thought when people impugned the quality of Saluki opponents. Sonny’s heart beat a little faster, the way it always did when he was asked to give public answers. Why couldn’t it be Luther’s turn, or Hooker’s? He licked his lips, then said, “Well, we beat Michigan and we beat Arkansas. We won the Big Apple NIT and the Memphis Invitational.”

Sonny assumed it must have been a very good answer, because Gentry was smiling ear to ear. “Out of the mouths of babes,” he said, and the reporters had a good laugh. The rest of the questions were for the coach, so Sonny tipped back comfortably in his chair.

On a free Saturday in the middle part of January, Sonny helped Sissy crate two large and awkward fresco panels in the Pyramid lodge. They transported them in the Bronco to Willie Joe’s spacious workroom. From his wheelchair Willie Joe instructed, “Just push that shit out of the way. Take all the space you need.” Sonny and Sissy got the crates into the flat position on one of the worktables.

“Are they airtight?” Willie Joe wanted to know.

“It’s touching of you to ask,” said Sissy, “but rest assured that the packing meets the highest professional standards. Our point guard sees to that.”

Sonny had no comment; he’d given up correcting her basketball terminology. But Willie Joe asked him why he was free on a Saturday.

“We’ve got the Virginia game tomorrow,” said Sonny.

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