Underdog Read Free Page A

the same grade and the same age, so Ashton could try out for your team,” my mother said.
    â€œHe could,” I said.
    â€œWe even have a couple of openings,” Kia said. “We could really use an extra point guard.”
    Mark nodded in agreement.
    â€œThe tryouts are on Saturday,” Kia added. “One to three o’clock at Sheridan College, main gym.”
    â€œThere’ll be lots of kids, but you’re a really good player,” I said. “We could even tell Coachabout you, so it wouldn’t be like you were a stranger to him.”
    â€œAre you interested in coming out?” Kia asked.
    Ashton shrugged. “I might be. I only have one question.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” I asked.
    He turned to my mother. “Do you think I could have another muffin, ma’am?”

3
    â€œCome on, boys and girl, it’s time for a little basketball!” Coach Barkley yelled. “Everybody, let’s have five laps to get warmed up!”
    We started jogging around the perimeter of the gym.
    â€œHow many people you figure are here?” I asked Kia as we rounded a corner.
    â€œMaybe sixty, but don’t worry, you’ll make the team”
    â€œI’m not worried about that…not much. I was just wondering, that’s all.”
    â€œPick it up!” Coach yelled and we kicked it up a notch.
    â€œHe’s not here,” Kia said.
    I ran a quick mental list. Everybody from last year’s team was here. “Who’s not here?”
    â€œAshton.”
    â€œOh, yeah. Did you really think he was going to come?” I asked.
    â€œI didn’t know, but I figured he might want to— ”
    â€œNick! Kia! Did you two come out here to play basketball or have a little chat? ‘Cause I wouldn’t want this tryout to get in the way of your socializing!”
    We both put our heads down and started running a little bit harder. This was a new record. I didn’t think anybody had annoyed Coach this early in a tryout or practice. And annoying Coach Barkley was not a good idea.
    We completed the fifth lap and came to a stop. A couple of kids—kids who didn’t know Coach—went to get their water bottles from the bleachers. Those of us who knew him knew this was a mistake. A big mistake.
A really big mistake
.
    â€œAnybody who needs a drink and a break can take one!” Coach bellowed. “In fact, theycan take a break for the next few months because they won’t be on my team!”
    The couple of guys who had grabbed water bottles dropped them and rushed back out to join us.
    â€œNick,” Coach said, and I felt a little jolt of electricity go up my spine. Was he going to say something else about Kia and me talking or that I hadn’t run fast enough or…” Go into the middle and lead everybody in some stretches,” Coach said.
    Kia walked over with me to the center of the gym. “You really are Coach’s pet, aren’t you? Hey, there’s Ashton!”
    Ashton had just come in through the double doors at the end of the gym. He put down his bag and rushed over and joined everybody else as they started to form a big circle around me. I wondered if Coach noticed him coming in late.
    â€œJust so people know!” Coach yelled. “There’s probably nothing I hate as much as late.” Obviously he had noticed Ashton’s entrance. “For the next tryout, if you come late, don’t even bother coming at all!”
    Coach was in a fine mood. I’d start the stretches and try to keep out of his way.
    â€œThat’s it!” Coach called out. “Everybody gather around!”
    I joined the group of players assembling around Coach. It was certainly a much smaller group than had started the tryout two hours before. Coach had gone around and told a bunch of kids that they weren’t going to make the team, and they’d already left. I knew that was hard, but it was pretty