Hoop Crazy by Eric Walters Page B

of agreement and we could start playing again or — the adults stalked off the court, the four boys trailing after them. They were quickly swallowed up by the crowd and disappeared.
    â€œI think that means we’re not going to be shaking hands at the end of the game,” Kia said.
    The ref walked over to us, accompanied by one of the officials.
    â€œHere’s the score sheet,” he said, handing the sheet to my father. “You win sixteen to zero. The other team is disqualified.”
    â€œThat’s too bad that they had to lose that way,” my father said.
    â€œIt is too bad that these kids and their parents don’t get it. This is about playing basketball and being good sportsmen … sportspeople,” he said, looking at Kia.
    â€œThanks,” she said.
    â€œI reffed two of their games in the first round,” he said, shaking his head. “They spent less time playing than they did trash talking and trying to intimidate the other teams. Congratulations on making it to the finals.”
    â€œSo there’s only two teams left?” I asked.
    â€œThere will be after this round. The other semifinal game is still going on. You four get a break because of the disqualification.”
    â€œWhen is the next game?” I asked.
    The ref pulled a schedule out of his pocket and ran a finger down the paper.
    â€œThe winner of this semifinal plays at three o’clock.” He looked at his watch. “So you have a little more than an hour before the game starts. You have plenty of time.”
    â€œAnd do you know which court we’re on?” I asked.
    â€œThat’s easy. You’ll be playing right over there,” he said, pointing toward the bleachers.
    â€œThe center court?” Ned gasped.
    â€œThat’s where all the finals are being held,” he said. “So good luck.”
    â€œThanks!” Kia answered as the ref walked away.
    â€œBoy … the big center court … that’s … that’s …”
    â€œScary,” I said, completing his sentence.
    â€œYeah, scary,” he agreed. “Does that sound stupid?”
    â€œNot to me,” I said.
    â€œYou’ll do fine,” my father said. “The worst thing is to get all nervous thinking about it. You have too much time between this game and the next to think.”
    â€œMaybe the kids should do something to take their minds off the game,” Ned’s mother suggested. “Maybe something fun.”
    â€œWhat did you have in mind?” I asked.
    â€œWe could all get something to drink and then go up in the stands and watch a game. Or maybe look at some more of the displays?”
    â€œThat would be good,” Kia said.
    â€œYou can if you want,” I said.
    â€œWhat do you have in mind?” she asked.
    â€œI’m going to watch the other teams play. I want to see what we’re going to be facing.”
    â€œMaybe that isn’t such a great idea,” Kia suggested.
    â€œMaybe not … but …”
    â€œYou’re right,” she agreed. “Let’s go over and have a look.”

Chapter Sixteen

    We settled in among the other people on the sidelines watching the game.
    â€œDo you know who that is?” I asked Kia.
    â€œI recognized them right away,” she said.
    One team was made up of four guys we knew from rep basketball. Our team had played them twice last year and lost both games. They were part of a good team, and were probably the best four players on that very good team.
    â€œDo you think we have a chance against them?” Kia asked.
    â€œYeah … right. I wonder what the score is?”
    â€œEleven to three,” a woman standing beside me said.
    â€œThat figures, they’re killing them,” I said.
    Just as the word got out of my mouth they put up a shot and it dropped.
    â€œThat makes it twelve to three.”
    â€œNo, no,” the woman said. “That makes it