Free Center Court Sting by Matt Christopher

right,” called the coach, clapping his hands a few times. “Let’s see the hands!”
    The Rangers stuck their hands together in the middle of the circle. The coach put his in as well.
    “We’re going to keep running the length of the court. If you get tired, I’ll put someone in for you. We’re going to mix up
     our defenses. We’re going to move the ball around on offense until someone has a really good shot. As they tire, we’ll have
     theshots. By late second half, we’ll be pulling away from them. Right?”
    “Yeah!” The Rangers shouted.
    “You ready to take it to ’em?”
    “Yeah!”
they yelled.
    “Let’s go get ’em!” shouted Coach Michaels.
    “YEAH!” Looking determined, the Rangers ran out into the gym.
    As the second half began, it was the Rebels who seemed to take control. Sam Farrell, a rugged forward, sank a long basket
     over Daren to give them a one-point lead. The Rebel fans yelled and waved their signs.
    Lynn missed a shot, and Drew Capp nabbed the rebound. The Rebels took over, and the Rangers tried a full-court press to slow
     them down. Just as Tisdale finally got the ball over the midcourt line, Daren thought he saw a chance to steal. He reachedin to grab the ball, and got it. And a foul, too. Lou looked furious at the call and started to protest, but Daren shook
     his head and hurried to the center.
    “The ref’s right,” he said to Lou. “I hit him on the arm. My fault.”
    As the Rebels put the ball in play, Coach Michaels signaled for the Rangers’ “secret weapon.”
    Tony Tisdale dribbled across the center line, and Lynn came up to cover him. The other Rangers spread out. Wherever Tisdale
     looked, Lynn and another Ranger stood in his way with arms outstretched. Unable to get a clear shot, he threw a pass in the
     general direction of Sam Farrell. But Daren picked it off. The Rangers scored on a fast break. Now it was the Ranger fans’
     turn to cheer.
    They traded scores for several minutes, and neither team led by more than threepoints. Then the Rangers switched defenses, and the Rebels looked confused. With Lynn giving Tisdale fits, both on offense
     and defense, the star Rebel was soon breathing hard again.
    Daren got a pass from Lynn inside and turned to take a jump shot. As he went up, he noticed Drew Capp leaping toward him with
     both hands held high. Daren leaned in as he jumped, releasing the ball just before Capp hit his shooting hand. Daren not only
     hit the basket but the free throw as well.
    As Daren ran back on defense, Shawn stood up and clapped. “Way to go, Dar!” he yelled. A few minutes later, Cris Campbell
     managed to get the big Rebel center to foul again. The Rebels had no choice but to call time and put in their substitute center.
     With Capp out, Lou was able to get free inside for easy shots and took control of the boards. The Rangers built up an eight-point
     edge.
    Coach Michaels gave his starters short rests, taking them out one or two at a time. The bench players, especially Peter Stuber
     and Shawn Howe, were fresh and kept up the defensive pressure.
    Then, Tony Tisdale got a second wind and hit three straight shots. After a Ranger turnover, Rebel guard Abe Isaacs hit a jump
     shot from downtown — and the Rebels were within two points with a minute and a half to go. They took a time-out.
    When play resumed, Drew Capp had come back off the bench. But he was one foul away from fouling out and had to be careful.
     Tony Tisdale finally missed one, and Lou pulled down the ball. He threw a perfect outlet pass to Lynn, who got it to Cris
     Campbell — and the Rangers had another fast break!
    Cris found Daren on the baseline and fired a bullet pass to him. Daren got hisjump shot off before Sam Farrell could reach him, and it swooshed through the net.
    But Tony Tisdale completed a three-point play a few seconds later, banking in a shot from the corner and adding a free throw
     when Cris fouled him.
    Daren looked at the clock. There were