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their bodies and feet to deter the offensive
players. Once a shot went up, all players could rebound with their
hands. The only effective way to win this game was to draw charges
or deny players the space to get close-in shots. The purpose, of
course, was to force defenders to learn to use their bodies, not
hands, to block-out. It was very unconventional, but certainly,
this drill was effective.
    Coach Battle also used a ring reducer to refine the
boys’ jump shots. The specification of men’s regulation basketballs
required a diameter of about ten inches. The official basket ring
measured eighteen inches. Two men’s basketballs could almost fit
simultaneously through the basketball ring. Up close, the basket
was surprisingly big. As forgiving as the official ring could be,
the ring reducer enforced much sharper precision. It fit on top of
the basket and forced the boys to shoot higher arcs to descend
downward at better angles. It frustrated each player, but like
shooting jump shots in the pool, the ring reducer drills helped
everyone get better.
    If the ring reducer drill was not tough enough,
Coach Battle often put a complete cover over each basket for a
special rebounding scrimmage. Rules were simple. A team received a
point for hitting the cover on top of the basket ring. In addition,
for every time a point scored in this manner, two points scored for
the team who secured the rebound. On every Coach Battle team,
rebounds were valued as much as successful jump shots – in practice
and in games.
    A favorite of the boys was the football-blocking
dummy. Often, Coach Battle asked Marcus to use this inflated
canvass bag with two handles to simulate player contact while the
team shot layups. This drill attempted to increase the odds of
making shots while being fouled. Depending on Marcus’ whim, the
players received either a light “love tap” or a harsh push that
landed them on their behinds.
    Jamal excelled as the weeks wore on. These drills
improved his fundamental capabilities. Being six foot two was not a
great advantage in any of these training sessions. To thrive, he
had to advance his skills. As he acquired more and more skills,
Jamal became more dedicated to the game. He absolutely fell in love
with basketball.
    ***
    Despite being the tallest player on the team, he
earned the right to play away from the basket as point guard. Jamal
had progressed from an average player with an indifferent
assessment from T.J. Battle to the best player on the team. His
basketball future was considerable. He bonded with the other
players on the team, and he and his dad grew to appreciate Coach
Battle’s strict disciplined approach to the game. Marcus loved how
Jamal looked forward to playing basketball, or even attending
practice, and his on-court improvements were obvious.
    Instead of becoming bitter about his in-limbo legal
status due to the O’Hare Airport incident (he was still suspended
from his Security and Compliance Manager’s job at the Board of
Trade), Marcus felt blessed that meeting Bobby G. led him to
getting his son a spot on Battle’s NAU team. Bad things happen for
a reason; sometimes producing a great result.
    The team practiced for several weeks under Coach
Battle’s rough supervision. He alternatively treated the boys
harshly like criminals on the streets of Chicago, to the
compassionate understanding of a father. He was great for the boys.
They were looking forward to the first tournament of the season in
Illinois. Teams from all over the Midwest came for this weekend
tourney. Games used the local college’s arena floor on the
regulation collegiate layout. Teams from out of town always drew a
large crowd – these were elite seventh grade players from
Minneapolis, South Bend, Milwaukee, Indianapolis and St. Louis.
    Vole or Kerbe sponsored most of the teams.
Representatives from these companies operated product information
tables and sold logo shirts and shorts. Many of the local high
school coaches were