4 First Practice II

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I'm already up two points. I'm feeling pretty good with my shot, so I think I'm just going to end this game with jump shots. "I'm not letting you score like that again." I scoff at him, and he gets really tight, on defense. I haven't put the ball on the ground yet, so I'm seeing if he has any defense in defending pivots. He is slower on his left side since it's his weaker side. I'll go ahead and take advantage of that.

I put the ball on the floor and create enough space for me to dribble between my legs on my left. I drive to my left and make it seems I'm pushing the basket. He pushes on my right, and that's when I jump. I sink a fading shot near the left baseline. Nothing but net too. "That's 3 now, team captain. You thinking your ego got you in trouble?" I cock my eyebrow up.

He stays quiet and tosses me the ball. We check it, and he is smothering me this time. His defense is sloppy. He isn't protecting the lanes. He is too scared I'm going to shoot it again. I create some space and dribble right. I perform a small step back to lure a jump out of him, and it works. I never picked up the ball. I'm in his head for sure now.

I drive past him and dunk it hard with two hands. "You really suck at basketball. You can't back up your words at all." That really frustrates him. He scowls slightly at me, and he looks at the girl for a second. "You shouldn't be focusing on her. You should be focusing on me." He's embarrassed now. There is no way he is getting the ball back. Distractions like that will cost you a lot. He'll learn that one day.

We check the ball again, and this time he has his hands down protecting the drive. He is right against me too. I'm going to shoot it in his face. I pull up from behind the line, which is short compared to the NBA shots I practice, and I sink the shot off the back rim. Some of his teammates even give reactions to me hitting it in his face.

The next thing I know, I'm dodging a swing. I lean my head back as his punch barely misses. His friends and teammates get between us. I didn't swing back. I don't need to. What I did was mad disrespectful, but he started this. He looks over at the girl on the bleachers, and she picks up her backpack and heads for the exit. Her blonde hair goes all the way down to her shapely butt.

I can see why he likes her, I didn't see the color of her eyes from where I was, but I'm betting they're blue. He shoves his teammates away and raises his hands. I'm standing at the top of the key. "Don't let your outburst be the excuse. Get the ball, and let's keep playing." The players give surprised looks. I'm not done with this guy yet. He walks to the ball, still looking at me, and picks it up. He brings it back, and we check it.

I hold it as he smothers me on defense. I press my left shoulder into his chest and create a tiny bit of space. Once I do, I jump up and shoot it again. Nothing but net. "That's 8 points in a row. I've already skunked you, and you're the team captain. Talk about a joke." He keeps a lid on it this time, but I can see that he was close to swinging again.

We check up the ball, and he smothers me once again. "That's enough, you two. John, go to the other side of the court and run suicides." John looks ready to blow up in anger, but Coach Rodgers gives him a look, and he looks at me one last time in anger before going. The coach walks up to me and sighs slightly. "John has a complex character. He doesn't like being second in anything. I have to admit, you outclass him, and he's pretty talented." I didn't know he was watching.

I look towards his office, and I see he has a medium-sized window he can look through. How about that. "You aren't going to be the leader of this team. That's John's role. You are a starter after that game, though. I've seen enough. I better break the news to Kenny." He can be the captain all he wants.

Even in my small town of Holden, a talent like mine can't be suppressed. It'll be a few games into the season before any scouts come to watch, but I'm sure I'm going to be drawing the most of their attention. "Alright! Let's start some practice drills!" Coach Rodgers blows his whistle, and we all line up on the baseline. Ready for the grind. It's going to be an interesting week and a half before the first scrimmage game. I have a feeling I made some lifelong enemies today.