Diary of a Basketball Hero Page 2

  I threw it right back at her.

  She scored a fadeaway jumper.

  I just threw the ball right back at her.

  She must really like me.

  Or she wouldn’t think that was a great pass.

  I DON’T WANT TO GET MARRIED!!!

  They scored, we* scored, they scored, we* scored.

  *When I say ‘we’, I do not mean ‘me’.

  One of the boys made a fast break.

  I remembered everything I had learnt … from rugby.

  Three free throws.

  Apparently, rugby is not a useful guide to basketball.

  HALF-TIME

  We were now five points behind.

  I didn’t need anyone to tell me that I’d given away all the fouls for those five points.

  THIRD QUARTER

  I think that was code for ‘don’t let Marcus touch the ball’.

  Magic cut to the left, faked a couple of defenders with a crossover dribble and scored!

  LeBron dribbled into the paint and was fouled by Hulk.

  She scored both free throws.

  Kobe tried a hook shot, the ball came off the rim, hit me on the head and bounced to Hulk. He scored at the other end.

  The boys were matching us point for point.

  And they were still five points ahead.

  Only one quarter to go.

  The girls discussed tactics.

  Coach discussed tactics.

  I sat quietly at the other end of the bench.

  Kobe slid over.

  I slid a bit further over.

  She followed me.

  I was getting desperate. There was only one thing to do.

  Try Gemma’s plan.

  NOT!!

  I decided I didn’t like Kobe’s brother after all.

  Another chap turned up.

  PHEW!!!

  I don’t have to have a girlfriend!!!

  I DON’T HAVE TO GET MARRIED!!!

  FOURTH QUARTER

  Five minutes to play.

  Five points to make up.

  Everyone looked surprised.

  Kobe reacted quickest.

  She passed me the ball.

  I remembered what she’d said. Throw in an arc. Use the angle of the backboard.

  I went for it! Three points!!

  Hulk went on a run. He changed directions so many times, I felt dizzy.

  LeBron managed to block his shot.

  The ball fell at my feet. I picked it up.

  I looked up. She was way down by the basket.

  I flung the ball with all my might.

  Kobe grabbed it and scored!

  One point between the teams!!

  Sixty seconds left!!!

  Hulk faked a shot.

  I fell for it and knocked the ball out of his hand.

  Thirty seconds on the clock.

  Hulk made the first throw.

  He made the second.

  Three points between the teams!!

  TIME-OUT

  Coach called a time-out.

  We huddled. We needed three points to tie the game and go into overtime.

  Fifteen seconds left.

  LeBron faked a defence and passed to Kobe.

  Kobe made a bounce pass to Magic.

  I sprinted down the paint.

  Kobe pivoted and looped the ball to me. I stared at the basket – it seemed so far away.

  The girls screened me.

  I lined up the shot …

  OVERTIME

  We were back on the court.

  Magic won the jump off.

  No surprise.

  The girls passed to each other.

  The girls passed to each other some more.

  Kobe tried a three-pointer. It came off the rim.

  Luckily, Magic won the rebound.

  There are definitely advantages to being taller than everyone.

  I sprinted forward.

  Kobe dribbled away from the basket where we needed to score.

  Kobe turned and lobbed the ball towards me.

  There was no way I was going to catch it.

  It was too high!

  But that’s where Kobe’s plan came in

  I leapt forward.

  Magic gave me a huge heave!!

  I soared through the air …

  and caught the ball.

  I turned three somersaults (that wasn’t in the plan) ...

  Came down over the basket …

  About the Author

  Shamini Flint lives in Singapore with her husband and two children. She is an ex-lawyer, ex-lecturer, stay-at-home mum and writer. She loves basketball!

  www.shaminiflint.com