Front Court Hex by Matt Christopher Read Free Book Online Page A

Jeff Sanders and he’s one of the highest scorers in the league. And you expect to
     stop him?”
    “I’m going to try,” Jerry promised.
    “That’s all you will do — try,” Freddie said, and wiped his sweat-beaded forehead.
    Time-in was called and Lin Foo took the ball out for the Chariots. Jerry caught the throw-in and started to peg the ball to
     Ronnie. A Skylark vaulted in front of him, intercepted the throw and heaved it to a teammate downcourt.
    Jerry stared, hardly believing it. Thathad
never
happened to him before.
    “Nice play, Jerry!” Freddie yelled. “You sure could stop anybody playing like that!”

11
    J ERRY TURNED OUT to be as ineffective against the Skylark forward as Manny was. He was almost worse. Once he accidentally tripped
     the player and the ref called it a foul. The Skylark sank the shot. At another time Jerry bolted in to stop the player from
     taking a set shot, and slipped and knocked him down, a violation that gave the Skylark two shots. Fortunately the Skylark
     sank only one.
    Lin Foo scored a lay-up and sank a foul shot to make the score 21 – 11 in the Skylarks’ favor when the first quarter ended.
    “Coach,” Freddie’s voice was loud and brittle as he looked at the coach during intermission, “are you going to keep Jerry
     —” He faltered. “Sorry. Forget it.”
    Jerry blushed. Nothing ever pleased Freddie more than having a scapegoat to blame for the team’s not doing well. Especially
     a scapegoat whom he had never liked in the first place. Jerry understood the reason why perfectly.
    About a year ago, during basketball season, Jerry had been dropping in baskets from all over the front court with a regularity
     that earned him the honor of being best player of the year. Second highest in scoring was Freddie. Jerry was certain that
     it was because he beat out Freddie that Freddie held a grudge.
    Coach Stull looked at Jerry. “Kid, for some reason or other you’re way off target.You’re not playing half as well as you played last year and I’m at a loss to understand why. Is something bothering you?”
    Jerry shook his head. “No. Nothing’s bothering me.”
    Danny Weatherspoon came to his mind, but he couldn’t mention Danny. If he said that Danny was a warlock, they’d laugh him
     off the court. Jerry was really inclined to believe now that his playing was once again so poor that what Danny said could
     be true — he was a warlock.
    “Maybe you’ll snap out of it eventually,” Coach Stull said. “In the meantime, I think you’d better rest a while.”
    Feeling everyone’s eyes on him, Jerry looked at the floor and said nothing. As soon as the horn blew to start the second quarter,
     he left the circle of men and sat down.
    The Skylarks had control of the ball during most of the quarter and led 31 – 19 when the half ended.
    It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that the coach had him go in again. The Skylarks now led 44 – 29, a lead that almost assured
     them of a win.
    Jerry saw the dirty look that Freddie Pearse shot at him, and wished that the coach had kept him on the bench. The thrill
     of the game had been drained out of him. He lacked not only the enthusiasm to play, but also the strength. All he would do
     is make himself more humiliated.
    A minute went by and he didn’t get the ball once. It was obvious that the guys were freezing him out, and he couldn’t blame
     them. Anybody could see that he was practically worthless.
    He saw Danny in the stands. For a moment their eyes met, and Danny shook his head sadly from side to side.
    Jerry wanted help from him, but was sure he wouldn’t get it. Danny wasn’t one to go back on his word. At least not under these
     conditions. Whatever Jerry wanted, he had to earn.
    Jerry was alone in a corner on the front court when Ronnie dribbled the ball across the keyhole and snapped a pass to him.
     Caught by surprise by the unexpected throw, Jerry almost missed it. He clamped his hands tightly on the