Backcourt Battle: An Up2U Character Education Adventure
CHAPTER 1 Ignore the Noise Jamere leaned forward He hadn't played at all but his hands were sweating His team clung to a narrow lead The fans cheered as Jamere's teammate Kyle tossed in a three point shot Fairfield led by five with two minutes left Hector nudged Jamere We're going to win Jamere forced a smile Kyle was playing a great game but it was hard for Jamere to be happy I should be out there he thought Jamere and Kyle had been rivals for a long time They'd pitched against each other in Little
League They'd also battled in YMCA soccer games When Coach Sanchez named Kyle the starting point guard Jamere almost dropped off the team But Jamere wasn't a quitter He kept working hard in practice Kyle nailed another three pointer Wow yelled Hector leaping to his feet The upset looked certain Jamere stood too The Westwood point guard raced up the court Kyle stayed close As the guard dribbled into the lane the Westwood center stepped up and set a hard screen Kyle smashed into him The shot went in as Kyle fell to the floor He grabbed his ankle letting out a yelp Kyle lay on the floor until Coach Sanchez helped him to his feet He hobbled to the bench and sneered Jamere Coach said Jamere gave Coach a puzzled look
Get in there Coach growled Jamere reported to the scorer's table I'm in for Kyle he said Jamere nodded to the Westwood point guard Trey Freeman He was the best player in the league Freeman stared him down The scoreboard read FAIRFIELD 53 VISITORS 45 1 27 4Q You wanted this chance Jamere thought Tight game An undefeated opponent Talk about pressure
TIL Jamere scrambled to get open but Freeman stayed on him Derek bounced the ball Jamere's way Jamere turned and dribbled with Freeman in his face Jamere reached the sideline Freeman had him trapped He stopped dribbling Don't do that he scolded himself Derek waved his arms Jamere threw the ball but Freeman tipped it back They ran to the ball Freeman got there first taking it in stride and swooping toward the basket
