Off the Bench

Off the Bench — page 1 — Team JAKE MADDOX WILLY WILDCAT COACH T TREY DANIEL DWAYNE ISAAC PJ Athlete Highlight Daniel Friedland Daniel Friedland is the 5'6 second string small forward for the Westfield Wildcats He's skilled in foul shots and speed but he lacks defensive knowledge Since he's not a starter he doesn't get enough time on the court

Off the Bench — page 2

Off the Bench — page 3 — Chapter 1 MORNING PRACTICE Daniel Friedland looked down at his sneakers He inched up until his toes were close to the foul line painted in white on the blacktop He held his basketball in front of him and spun it between his palms When he took a deep breath the air was cold and his nose stung Slowly he breathed out through his mouth He looked at the basket through the cloud of vapor Then he pulled back the ball and shot Swish

Off the Bench — page 4 — Daniel let himself smile After months of coming down to the public courts every morning to practice his foul shot he rarely missed Daniel pulled up the zipper of his hooded sweatshirt It was still very cold this early in the morning The bell to begin homeroom over at Westfield Middle School wouldn't ring for another hour He jogged over to the basket and grabbed the ball before it rolled onto the grass Then he quickly walked back to the foul line I think I'm as good as Dwayne Illy now Daniel muttered to himself At least from the foul line Dwayne Illy was the starting small forward and the top scorer on the team Most of his points though were from the foul line Daniel lifted the ball to take another shot If I'm ever going to start at small forward he said to

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