Boot Camp Read Free Page A

asked, hearing him, but not really understanding what he meant.
    â€œThis is a celebrity basketball camp,” he said. “Do you know what that means?”
    â€œUm…that a celebrity is going to teach us about basketball?”
    He laughed. “Yeah, right. Do you really think he’s gonna be showing up today?”
    â€œOf course, he will. It’s his camp,” Kia said.
    â€œThat doesn’t mean he’s going to be here today.Don’t you know the way these celebrity camps work?” the kid asked.
    â€œExplain it to us,” Kia said.
    â€œSome famous basketball player lends his name to a camp, and then some assistants like these guys…,” he said, pointing at Mr. Williams and two other men standing beside him. I’d already noticed one of them. He was popping shots from the three-point line—I hadn’t seen him miss one.
    â€œThese guys do all the work,” he said. “The big-time celebrity basketball player just shows up for an hour or two to have his picture taken with everybody.”
    â€œThat’s not how it’s going to be,” Kia said.
    â€œDo you see Jerome Williams here right now?” the kid asked.
    â€œNo, but—”
    â€œBut nothing. You just don’t know how these camps run.”
    â€œAnd
you
just don’t know Jerome Williams,” Kia snapped.
    â€œAnd you do?” the kid demanded.
    â€œWe know—”
    â€œEverybody on the wall right now!” Mr. Williams called out, cutting her off.
    A few of the stragglers startled to a trot and a few continued to slowly saunter over.
    â€œNow!” he yelled, and I almost jumped into the air in response.
    Most of the remaining kids started running, but two or three continued slowly until they reached the wall. The mouthy kid was right beside me.
    â€œGood afternoon,” Mr. Williams said. “I would have said good morning but we wasted part of that by moving so slowly. Before we get started I have a few things to say.”
    I didn’t know who he was, but he certainly seemed to be in charge of things. He was older— even older than my father.
    â€œLet me start by introducing you to our coaches.”
    So those were the three Coaches? What about Jerome? Was that kid right? Wasn’t he going to be here?
    â€œThis is Sergeant Kevin.”
    Sergeant? Did that mean he was in the military?
    One of the men—the guy who’d been popping those shots—gave a slight bow. “Sergeant Kevin has been coaching ball longer than any of youhave been alive. He’ll be leading many of the drills and will instill in you the importance of defensive ball—one of the things that’s stood out on any team he has ever coached.” He paused. “Anything you’d like to talk to them about right now?”
    Sergeant Kevin nodded and stepped forward.
    â€œI’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen so far. Unfortunately the impression many of you have left is not a
good
first impression. Many of you looked like you were half asleep as you moseyed across the floor. This is a gymnasium not your bedroom! From now on, you better all remember we don’t walk anywhere. We run. Do you understand?”
    I shrugged my shoulders and—
    â€œDo you understand?” he bellowed.
    â€œYes,” a few kids replied.
    â€œI can’t hear you!” he yelled.
    â€œYes!” people yelled back.
    â€œYes,
sir
, should be the answer I expect! Now let’s hear it again!”
    â€œYes, sir!”
    â€œLouder!”
    â€œYes, sir!” we all screamed.
    He nodded his head. “That’s better…much better.”
    â€œThank you, Sergeant Kevin,” the older coach said. “And now, I’d like you to meet another one of our coaches, Sergeant Josh.”
    The second man stepped forward. “Good morning, gentlemen…and lady,” he said, gesturing to Kia.
    Every eye in the place looked down at