Bad-Luck Basketball by Thomas Kingsley Troupe Page A

that game, guys,” he said. “What happened out there? It’s like we’re having the worst kind of luck all of a sudden.”
    At mention of the word “luck” Brandon felt his ears get hot. Across the locker room, Kevin stared at him, shaking his head. As if that weren’t enough, he pointed at Brandon.
    Seriously? Brandon thought. Again with the whole ladder thing?
    At least Kevin hadn’t told the coach about his bad-luck theory. But that didn’t stay true for long.
    â€œMaybe it was because Brandon walked under that ladder before the game,” Kevin said.
    Thanks for nothing, Kevin , Brandon thought. “That’s ridiculous,” he said. “No one believes all that stuff, do they?”
    Coach Hanson shook his head. “Of course not, guys. But I’m still struggling with this loss. It’s like you guys don’t want to make it to the play-offs.”
    â€œWell, it’s not like we really have a chance after the way we played out there tonight,” Tony muttered.
    â€œThat’s not entirely true,” Coach said. “If we manage to win next week’s game, the final seat in the play-offs is ours. It’s that simple. But based on how we played tonight, we’re going to need lots of practice if we’re going to make it.”
    The entire Clover team murmured in excitement. It seemed impossible that they’d ever see the play-offs, especially since they’d had a lousy season. But they had to try.
    As everyone got ready to hit the showers, Kevin walked over to Brandon and folded his arms across his chest.
    â€œYour bad luck better wear off before then, Brandon,” Kevin whispered. “We can’t lose our chance at the play-offs because of you.”
    Fantastic , Brandon thought. If we lose, Kevin will tell everyone it’s my fault.

CHAPTER 2
DUMB LUCK
    On the bus ride back to Chesterfield Junior High, Brandon sat in the seat behind Jeff. Even though the Clovers had gotten their butts kicked by Arrow Lake, most of the team seemed to be in a good mood. The thought of having a shot at the play-offs seemed to cheer everyone up. The only person not smiling was Brandon.
    â€œC’mon, man,” Jeff said, noticing Brandon’s sullen expression. “Don’t let that bad luck stuff get to you.”
    â€œI didn’t at first,” Brandon said. “But the more I think about it, the more I wonder if I did bring bad luck to the team.”
    â€œThat’s garbage,” Jeff said with a shrug. “Did you forget we’re the Clovers? That’s good luck. It cancels the ladder thing out.”
    â€œFour-leaf clovers are good luck. Our logo only has three leaves,” Brandon pointed out.
    â€œAh, who cares?” Jeff replied with a shrug. He nodded toward Kevin. “I wouldn’t worry too much about what Kevin thinks. You know how superstitious he is. He wears the same stinky socks for every game. Hasn’t washed them yet.”
    Brandon laughed. “Those things reek. I just hope he isn’t right. I’d hate to be the reason we don’t make the play-offs, you know?”
    Jeff shook his head. “Tonight wasn’t bad luck, Brandon,” he said. “It was bad basketball. The team had an off night. Kevin just needed someone to blame.”
    Brandon tried to smile, but couldn’t. The Clovers weren’t the best team, but they’d never played that poorly before. Ever.
    Why is walking under ladders supposed to be bad luck anyway? Brandon wondered. He shook the thought away. He wouldn’t buy into the dumb idea that he was the reason everyone had played so badly.
    It wasn’t bad luck , Brandon told himself. It was just a bad game.
    * * *
    The next day at school, Tony came up to Brandon at his locker. “Hey, man,” Tony said. “I thought I should warn you . . . Kevin is telling everyone about the ladder thing.”
    â€œAre you serious?”