Slam Dunk

"That was some of the best basketball I ve ever seen played by two middle school kids," Coach said happily, a big smile on his face. "You guys are definitely college scholarship material, if not NBA." Those words were music to my ears. At last, someone had confirmed my belief that I could one day play with the big boys. "I am very impressed with both of you. I m only going to ask you to do one more thing today, and it will be very easy. I want to see your shooting capabilities. Would the two of you stand up at the foul line and take turns shooting baskets, please."

"Sure, Coach," I said proudly, walking over to the foul line. Tyler followed behind me lazily, apparently sulking by the fact that he lost the game of one-on-one.

"Actually, let s do it one at a time," Coach said. "We ll start with you, Casey, since Johnson seems tired today." Coach threw me the ball, and when he did I noticed a wink of his eye. Wow, was that the secret signal that I had made Point Guard? "Ready when you are, Matthew." I made sure my feet were right behind the line, then focused my eyes on the basket before laying one up. Swoosh! This is a piece of cake, I thought to myself. Swoosh! the ball sounded again on my second shot, and again and again and again as I continually made every shot I threw.

"He s just getting lucky today, Coach," Tyler said from behind me.

Coach turned to give Tyler a confused look. "Oh, I don t think so, Johnson. He s just good, end of story." The tone in Coach Costa s voice said that it was a fact, and that there was no arguing it whatsoever. Tyler merely sneered and rolled his eyes.

"Shall I keep going, Coach?" I asked as I jogged under the basket to catch a rebound.

"How about a few three-pointers, Matt."

"Sure thing, Coach Costa," I said happily. I positioned myself outside the two-point area of the court and began making three pointers. Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! was the only sound to be heard as I made five of them in a row.

"Absolutely incredible. Just unbelievable," Coach Costa remarked while smiling at me in sheer delight. I couldn t remember one time in my life when I had been happier than right now. Basketball was my life, and now someone had finally understood that, and even appreciated it. After performing another five three pointers, all of which slid through the net with the most incredible accuracy, Coach Costa had seen enough. "All right, Matt, that will be enough for today."