Long Shot by Eric Walters Read Free Book Online

try-out — once during the warm-ups.
    A few more were good — maybe as good as some of my friends. That meant that they had a chance of making the team and replacing somebody — maybe me.
    Then there were three others who weren’t quite so good. Two of them were the biggest kids in thegym. They were running at the very end, struggling to catch up to the rest of the line. At least I understood why they were still here. There’s an old saying — you can’t coach height. Maybe neither was even that good but they were tall and every team needed some height.
    The final guy was more of a mystery. He was the one Kia and I had noticed — the guy the coach was chewing out at the end of the first try-out. He had a good shot and could dribble, but whenever I’d noticed him in that first try-out, he seemed to be going at half speed. I figured that was the kiss of death with this coach. I’d keep my eye on him. Who was I fooling … I’d keep an eye on everybody
    As we finished up the laps, I made my final decision on what I’d start with.
    â€œEverybody in a circle,” I called out.
    A few of the kids started to slowly gather around.
    â€œWas that an invitation or an order?” Coach Barkley asked.
    â€œWhat?” I asked, not understanding what he meant.
    â€œIf you want people to listen to you, then take charge,” he barked.
    I nodded. “Hurry up!” I yelled loudly. “Let’s get started!”
    Everybody formed a circle and I started to lead them in a series of stretches. As I continuedwith the warm-ups Coach Barkley slowly moved around the outside, watching everybody. I liked him watching the other kids because that meant his eyes weren’t on me. Just then he looked up at me and our eyes met. He scowled and I looked away quickly.
    * * *
    â€œOne minute for water!” Coach Barkley yelled out.
    I dropped the ball and moved as quickly as my tired legs would carry me to my water bottle. Kia had already grabbed her water and was chugging it down.
    â€œHow much time left?” she asked.
    â€œAbout twenty … maybe twenty-five minutes,” I panted out between swigs from my bottle.
    â€œIf his practices are going to be as hard as his try-outs it might be better not to make the team,” Kia said.
    â€œDon’t even joke about that,” I said. “Besides,
nothing
could be harder than this.”
    Kia held her water bottle upside down. “Do you have any more water?” she asked.
    â€œNone.”
    â€œI’ve got an extra.”
    It was that kid. I wasn’t surprised he had water left because he wasn’t sweating as hard as the rest of us.
    â€œThanks,” Kia said as she took the bottle.
    â€œL.B.,” he said. “I’m L.B.,” he said offering his hand.
    â€œI’m Kia,” she said, awkwardly shaking hands. “And this is Nick.”
    We shook hands as well.
    â€œYou two know how to play,” he said.
    â€œThanks,” Kia said. “You got a pretty good shot yourself.”
    â€œI get lucky sometimes.”
    Kia took a big gulp from the bottle and then flashed me a smile. “Let’s get back before he calls us.”
    â€œThat’s smart,” I said and put down my bottle. We trotted back. L.B. took another drink and didn’t follow.
    We reached Coach Barkley just as he blew the whistle. Kids started to reassemble.
    â€œHurry up, you’re wasting my time!” he yelled angrily. “Anybody who needs more rest can have all the time they need … after I cut them!”
    That caused the last three stragglers, including L.B., to rush to his side.
    â€œWe’re going to spend the last twenty minutes scrimmaging.”
    A rumble of excitement filled the gym.
    â€œBefore we get started, I have a question,” Coach Barkley said.
    Everybody perked up their ears.
    â€œRaise your hand if you’re tired.”
    Most of the kids put up a