Free Wheel Wizards by Matt Christopher Page B

ten-foot shot.
    But Seth darted forward to steal a pass almost out of Gil's hands a moment later and fired a long pass to Pete, who had broken
     toward the other end of the court. Pete, in turn, bounced a beautifully timed lead pass to a sub named Mick, who scored.
    “What's going on here?” Howard called out.“Maybe we got things backward. The subs are making you starters look like losers! Gil, you should have been able to screen
     Seth off that pass! Seth, Pete … . heads up playing there!”
    Seth and Pete were careful not to gloat, but they flashed each other a quick look of satisfaction. A few minutes later, the
     coaches ended the session. Gil edged over to Seth.
    “You were making me sweat today! Glad you're on our side.”
    “I got lucky, that's all,” replied Seth. “You've been burning me just about every time I try to guard you — up till today.”
    As the players headed to the locker room, Chan tapped Seth's shoulder. “Get a good night's sleep. I want to see you look as
     good in the game as you did today in practice.”
    The Wizards-Lobos game had drawn a fairly sizable crowd that had half-filled the bleachers in the gym. As he completed his
     warmups, Seth spotted his family and Lou and was happy to note that Danny was there, too, sitting just in front of them. A
     moment later, he saw that Brian Murtaugh had also come tosee the game. It would be the first time the therapist had watched Seth play.
    As the game began, it was clear to Seth that the Lobos weren't as disciplined as the Wizards; maybe losing key players had
     made a difference. Led by Ernie and Andy, the defense shut the Lobos down. They could not get a shot off on their first five
     possessions. If the Wizards had converted most of their chances, they might have put the game out of reach in the first quarter.
     As it was, Andy scored a couple of early buckets and Gil had a three-point play, while Ernie forced two Lobo offensive fouls
     and made two steals.
    Finally, two Lobos got their shooting touch back, and they got into the game. With two minutes left in the quarter, and the
     Wizards up, 11–8, Howard sent Seth and Pete into the game.
    The Lobos inbounded the ball at midcourt, and one of them tried to sneak under the basket unguarded. However, Mick stole the
     ball and Seth, reacting quickly, pivoted and headed downcourt. Looking back over his shoulder, he saw Mick pass to Pete. Pete
     fired the ball toward him. Pete's pass was slightly underthrown, and Seth had to slow down tocontrol it. He waited for his teammates to catch up, dropped the ball off to Mick on a give-and-go, and caught Mick's return
     pass while driving the lane. Before he could get off the shot, a Lobo rammed his chair into him and was whistled for a two-shot
     foul.
    Seth went to the line, took a deep breath, and shot the first free throw. It rattled around the rim … and dropped in! His
     second free throw hit nothing but the net. Racing back on defense, Seth saw his sister and Lou standing and yelling their
     approval. Danny, too, cheered and clapped.
    The Lobos scored on their next possession, staying within three. They tried a full-court press when the Wizards took over,
     but Mick hurled a long pass to Pete, who found Seth in the corner. Using fast, accurate passes, the Wizards were able to get
     Pete open for a twelve-foot shot. Unfortunately, the ball banged hard off the rim, into the hands of a Lobo.
    Seth sped back on defense, noting that Chan had signaled for a diamond-and-one zone. Seth raced to get to his assigned position
     on the baseline, just as an opponent tried to get free underneath the basket. Seeing him, Seth moved forward into the lane,
     stoppingjust before the Lobo slammed into him. The ref's whistle stopped play, and the Lobo was called for a charge, giving the ball
     back to the Wizards. On the sideline, Seth's teammates pumped fists in the air and yelled encouragement. The Wizard rooters
     added their cheers.
    Seth was tired when he came