Read Online Wheel Wizards by Matt Christopher - Free Book Online
Authors: Matt Christopher
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forward. “This is your game to win? Go out and fight!”
Early in the third quarter, the Wizard full-court press created two turnovers that Jed to easy baskets, and the Wizards were
in the lead, 24–22! The teams exchanged baskets for a few minutes before the Tiger coach called time to make adjustments.
Later in the quarter, the Tigers took the lead back, and the period ended with the Wizards down, 32–28.
Looking around between quarters, Seth realized that the Wizards were tired; the extra Tiger players kept them fresher.
With the Wizards down by four at the start of the fourth quarter, Wes sent Seth and James back into the game. Seth felt rested
and sank a shot off a beautiful pass from Pete, cutting the Tiger lead to two.
But that was as close as the Wizards could get. The Tigers tired the Wizards out, and, even though there were no serious defensive
goofs, the Tigers pulled away to win, 43–34.
Afterward, several Tiger players came over andcongratulated Seth on his play. One said, “I figured this game would be a laugher, but I was wrong.”
Seth's family came up and praised his play. Phyllis hugged her brother. “I am
so proud
of you!”
Lou nodded, smiling. “You guys are going to win some games, I
know
it!”
Wes called the team together. “As far as I'm concerned,” he said, “this was a
win
. You did a great job, and you're going to get better. We'll work more on conditioning, so you don't run out of gas late in
the games.”
While Mr. Pender drove the Penders and Lou for some ice cream, Lou asked Seth, “Are you down about losing the game?”
Seth thought for a second and grinned. “No way! This is only the beginning! You wait and see!”
11
I don't know,” Lou said, as he and Seth left school on a sunny afternoon. “Can
you
understand what we were taught in math today?
I
don't get it, that's for sure.”
Seth grinned. “I think I'm going to ask Phyllis for a little help tonight. She's the math whiz. Come over if you want.”
“Hey, thanks. Maybe she can tell me what
x
is and why it keeps changing all the time.” Lou scratched his head. “It was so much easier in eighth grade.” Seth and Lou
had both turned fourteen the previous month.
They were at an intersection, waiting for a green light, when a car pulled up near them and Danny Detweiler stuck his head
out of the driver's-side window
“Yo, Seth! Hey Lou! I
thought
it was you two I saw!”
Seth was delighted to see Danny, whom he hadn't heard from in several months. The Junior Wizard team on which he'd played
had wound up having a decent season, winning three games and losing three. Seth had improved with each game, ending up with
an eight-point-per-game scoring average. His friend Pete Gould had led the team in assists, and Pete had stayed friendly with
Seth and Lou through summer vacation, spending time with them and their friends.
“How are you doing?” asked Seth. “Hey, cool car, by the way!”
Danny grinned. “I just got it last week! It's got hand controls for the gas and brakes. I have some big news!”
“What's up?” Lou asked.
Danny held up a letter and waved it toward them. “I just heard I've won a college scholarship! I'll be going in the fall.
This college has a fantastic wheelchair athletic program, one of the best in the country!”
“All
right!
” Seth yelled, stretching out a hand and pumping Danny's.
“That's really great!” added Lou. “Will you be playing basketball there?”
“Absolutely!” Danny nodded happily. “I have to really train, starting now. They're always among the top-rated teams nationwide.
And I'm aiming at the Paralympics a few years down the road.”
Seth felt happy for his friend, but he had to admit that he also felt sad that Danny would be headed elsewhere soon — out
of his life, for the most part. He hoped his dismay didn't show.
“The other news is for Seth,” Danny went on. “You'll be getting a call in the next few days from a
Early in the third quarter, the Wizard full-court press created two turnovers that Jed to easy baskets, and the Wizards were
in the lead, 24–22! The teams exchanged baskets for a few minutes before the Tiger coach called time to make adjustments.
Later in the quarter, the Tigers took the lead back, and the period ended with the Wizards down, 32–28.
Looking around between quarters, Seth realized that the Wizards were tired; the extra Tiger players kept them fresher.
With the Wizards down by four at the start of the fourth quarter, Wes sent Seth and James back into the game. Seth felt rested
and sank a shot off a beautiful pass from Pete, cutting the Tiger lead to two.
But that was as close as the Wizards could get. The Tigers tired the Wizards out, and, even though there were no serious defensive
goofs, the Tigers pulled away to win, 43–34.
Afterward, several Tiger players came over andcongratulated Seth on his play. One said, “I figured this game would be a laugher, but I was wrong.”
Seth's family came up and praised his play. Phyllis hugged her brother. “I am
so proud
of you!”
Lou nodded, smiling. “You guys are going to win some games, I
know
it!”
Wes called the team together. “As far as I'm concerned,” he said, “this was a
win
. You did a great job, and you're going to get better. We'll work more on conditioning, so you don't run out of gas late in
the games.”
While Mr. Pender drove the Penders and Lou for some ice cream, Lou asked Seth, “Are you down about losing the game?”
Seth thought for a second and grinned. “No way! This is only the beginning! You wait and see!”
11
I don't know,” Lou said, as he and Seth left school on a sunny afternoon. “Can
you
understand what we were taught in math today?
I
don't get it, that's for sure.”
Seth grinned. “I think I'm going to ask Phyllis for a little help tonight. She's the math whiz. Come over if you want.”
“Hey, thanks. Maybe she can tell me what
x
is and why it keeps changing all the time.” Lou scratched his head. “It was so much easier in eighth grade.” Seth and Lou
had both turned fourteen the previous month.
They were at an intersection, waiting for a green light, when a car pulled up near them and Danny Detweiler stuck his head
out of the driver's-side window
“Yo, Seth! Hey Lou! I
thought
it was you two I saw!”
Seth was delighted to see Danny, whom he hadn't heard from in several months. The Junior Wizard team on which he'd played
had wound up having a decent season, winning three games and losing three. Seth had improved with each game, ending up with
an eight-point-per-game scoring average. His friend Pete Gould had led the team in assists, and Pete had stayed friendly with
Seth and Lou through summer vacation, spending time with them and their friends.
“How are you doing?” asked Seth. “Hey, cool car, by the way!”
Danny grinned. “I just got it last week! It's got hand controls for the gas and brakes. I have some big news!”
“What's up?” Lou asked.
Danny held up a letter and waved it toward them. “I just heard I've won a college scholarship! I'll be going in the fall.
This college has a fantastic wheelchair athletic program, one of the best in the country!”
“All
right!
” Seth yelled, stretching out a hand and pumping Danny's.
“That's really great!” added Lou. “Will you be playing basketball there?”
“Absolutely!” Danny nodded happily. “I have to really train, starting now. They're always among the top-rated teams nationwide.
And I'm aiming at the Paralympics a few years down the road.”
Seth felt happy for his friend, but he had to admit that he also felt sad that Danny would be headed elsewhere soon — out
of his life, for the most part. He hoped his dismay didn't show.
“The other news is for Seth,” Danny went on. “You'll be getting a call in the next few days from a
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