Underdog Read Free Page B

obvious to me that some kids were way out of their league here, and there was no point in wasting time, pretending they could play rep ball.
    â€œCongratulations,” Coach said. “The people who are still in the gym have made the first cut. You’re all invited to come back next week.”
    That felt good. Not that I thought I was in any danger of getting cut in the first round, but it still felt good.
    â€œI’m pleased with what I’ve seen today,” Coach continued. “Good hustle, good skills, some real good ball handling.”
    Coach glanced over to where Ashton stood. I knew he was referring to him. Ashton had been showing off his stuff, and there was nobody who could handle him one on one. He had really impressed people, and a couple of my friends had noticed him.
    â€œLast year our team was one of the best around,” Coach said. “And from what I’ve seen today, I think we have the potential to have an even better team then we had last year.”
    Ten guys—actually nine guys and one girl—from last year’s team were here. I think the ten of us stood head and shoulders above the rest, other than Ashton. I didn’t think we’d have much trouble making the team. Although I always worried until I was told I’d made it. I hated tryouts.
    â€œHow many of you are tired?” Coach asked.
    I knew this trick. If you didn’t put up your hand, that meant that you hadn’t worked hard enough. Almost everybody in the gym, and every single person from last year’s team, put up their hand.
    â€œIf you’re new and you didn’t put up your hand, you didn’t work hard enough today,” Coach said. “And if you’re back from last year and you did put up your hand, then you didn’t train hard enough over the summer.”
    â€œWhat?” Kia exclaimed.
    â€œYou didn’t work hard enough over the summer,” Coach replied. “You know how hard I work my players and you didn’t get prepared.” He paused. “Today was nothing compared to what it will be like if you make the team. If you thought this was hard, you better rethink if you want to be on this team. If you still want to play, I’ll see you back here next Sunday at one.”
    We all walked over to the bleachers to get water, change and retrieve our stuff.
    â€œWhat’s with your dad?” I asked L.B., Coach’s son.
    â€œNothing,” he said, shaking his head. “He’s actually in a good mood. You know him, he’s just trying to set a tone for the season. Who’s that kid talking to Kia?”
    â€œThat’s Ashton. He’s sort of a friend of ours.”
    â€œSort of?”
    â€œWe just met him a couple of days ago. He can play ball.”
    â€œHe’s good,” L.B. said. “Really good.”
    â€œL.B.!” Coach bellowed. “These balls aren’t picking themselves up!”
    â€œLater,” he said to me and walked over to give his father some help.
    I grabbed my stuff and walked over to join Kia. By the time I got there, Ashton had already gone.
    â€œDid you tell him how well he did?” I asked.
    â€œHe told me how well he did,” she replied.
    â€œHe certainly doesn’t lack confidence,” I said. “Is he coming back next week?”
    â€œHe said he was,” she replied.
    â€œGood to hear. You hungry?”
    â€œWhen have you known me not to be hungry?” Kia asked. “Do you think your dad will take us for something to eat?”
    â€œAre you kidding? You know my dad. He’s the king of the drive-through. Hurry up and get changed.”
    We said goodbye to everybody in the gym and rushed outside. My father was sitting inour car, waiting for us. He helped out with the team last year, but like all parents he wasn’t even allowed into the practices until the team had been picked.
    â€œWell?” he asked as we jumped in.
    â€œIt went