Second-String Center by Rich Wallace Read Free Book Online Page B

center stepped out to stop him, leaving Dunk alone under the basket.
    Willie passed, but the ball was deflected and Dunk had to lunge for it. He grabbed it with both hands, dribbled once, and got hacked as he took the shot.
    Dunk stumbled forward and landed on his side under the basket. From that vantage point, he watched as the ball rolled off the rim and out. But he’d be going to the line again.
    “Yeah, Dunk!” yelled Spencer.
    Fiorelli ran over and gave Dunk a high five.
    Dunk sucked in his breath and made both shots. I’ll never choke again, he told himself.
     
     
    Though the crowd was small, it sounded like a full house as Hudson City battled its way through the fourth quarter. Each time Lincoln seemed poised to pull away, a Hornet player would make a crucial shot to keep them in it.
    Dunk rotated in and out of the lineup with Louie and managed a three-point play when he got fouled shooting a layup. This time the shot went in, and he added his fifth straight free throw.
    But he was on the bench when Hudson City’s worst fear came true. Looking to tie the game, Jared drove hard to the hoop and was called for an offensive foul. Less than two minutes remained. Lincoln had a two-point lead and the ball. Jared had fouled out.
    Willie called timeout. Jared limped to the bench and sat with his head in his hands. Dunk reported in at center.
    Spencer pushed his fist into Dunk’s chest. “We need some stops !” he said. “DE- fense , brother. Don’t let that man score.”
    Dunk did his job the first time down court, sticking to the Lincoln center, who’d had a great game but was clearly tired. Lamont grabbed a rebound after a long miss from outside. He rifled an outlet pass to Fiorelli, who raced across midcourt.
    The Hornets were on a three-on-two break, and a layup would tie the score. But Spencer took a pass at the top of the key, dribbled once, and shot. The three-pointer ripped through the net, and Hudson City had its first lead of the game.
    Spencer leaped into the air with both fists raised. Willie and Fiorelli applied pressure in the backcourt; Lamont and Dunk held their ground on defense.
    “I’m here,” Lamont said to Dunk. “If he gets the ball, I’m with you.”
    “He” meant Lincoln’s center, the most likely target. He’d scored nearly twenty points this afternoon and was the primary reason Jared had fouled out. But he was Dunk’s responsibility now.
    Lincoln was patient; all they needed was one score. They passed the ball around for most of a minute, then finally bounced it inside. The center took control, and Lamont stepped over to help out. The man remembered what had happened last time he got double-teamed, and he protected the ball as he pivoted and leaped.
    Dunk held his spot, firmly planting his feet as the center charged into him. The collision knocked Dunk on his butt. The whistle blew. Offensive foul!
    Lincoln was over the foul limit, so Dunk would be shooting free throws.
    Lamont stuck out his hand and pulled him to his feet. “Ninety-nine percent!” Lamont said firmly. “You don’t ever miss.”
    Dunk made both shots. He was seven-for-seven from the line today. More important than that, the Hornets had a three-point lead.
    Time was moving quickly, and Lincoln needed a big shot to send the game into overtime. With Spencer in his face, the point guard sent a long, arcing shot toward the rim. It hit the back of the iron and bounced high into the air. Lamont slapped at it, and it rolled toward the corner. Willie scooped it up and immediately called timeout.
    There were seven seconds on the clock. “Easy decision,” Coach said as the Hornets huddled up. “Spencer, pass the ball in. Dunk, get open. They have to foul whoever gets the ball. I want that man to be you.”
    Lincoln put its center in front of Spencer at the sideline and the quicker forward on Dunk. As Spencer took the ball, Lamont looped around and set a screen, and Dunk stepped out for the ball.
    He was immediately