muscular Tiger forced his way next to the key, just to the side
of the basket. When a teammate's shot went off the rim, he tipped the ball out to another Tiger. Seth tried to muscle him
away from his spot, but the guy was too big and strong. The Tiger rebounded another shot and bounced the ball to a player
on the baseline, who sank it despite being rammed by Pete. The ref called Pete for a foul, and the Tiger hit the free throw.
It was 5–0. Wes signaled for a time-out.
Seth felt stunned as the Wizards huddled aroundtheir coaches. “Welcome to the world of wheelchair basketball,” said Con.
Pete scowled and muttered, “These guys are too much for us.”
Seth snapped, “What are you talking about? We're going to get better!” He suddenly felt a competitive anger he hadn't felt
since before his accident.
“Quiet, everybody!” Wes said. “We've only played a couple of minutes, so don't panic. I called time so you wouldn't lose your
heads out there. Remember, these guys are veterans, and this is your first time. Remember your prepared plays and stick to
them. We'll play a half-court game for now, no fast breaks, just move the ball around and be alert.
“Always know where your opponents are and where the ball is. On that first play, some of you rushed downcourt without bothering
to make sure the ball was coming with you.
Keep an eye on the ball!
Otherwise, you're in for hard times. Now, take your time, look for good shots. Remember your basic plays: pick-and-roll,
give-and-go, all that stuff. When you have the ball, find an open man. When you don't have the ball,
get
open.
“All right! Let's show this team that they can't just roll over us!”
Seth took the inbound pass, tossed to James, and got the ball back at midcourt. Sensing movement on his left, he yanked the
ball away just before a Tiger defender could snatch it. The Tigers were in a tight man-to-man defense. Suddenly, Pete made
a quick pivot, and Seth whipped him the ball. Pete lofted a twelve-footer that went in off the glass to make the score 5–2.
During the next few minutes, Seth and his teammates realized that the Tigers, while more experienced, weren't supermen. At
one point, James made a steal and Seth converted a fast-break layup. Seth's arms were aching, though, when Wes sent in subs
for him and Pete with three minutes left in the first quarter.
Con came over as Seth caught his breath. “Good move on the fast break!”
Seth wiped his face with a towel. “We
can!
play with these guys!
Way to go, James
”
The wiry James had just drawn a charging foul by getting into the lane and holding his position against a Tiger who was trying
a layup. When the Wizardsscored on a slick give-and-go, the score was 9–6; the Wizards were only three down.
At the end of the quarter, however, the Tigers led, 11–6. During the second quarter, Seth was all over the court. He made
steals, assists, and an outstanding defensive play when he lunged to knock a Tiger pass out of bounds and fell out of his
chair in the process. He waved away offers of assistance and got back in the chair, while even Tiger fans applauded. Pete
made some great moves with his chair and shook loose for a few shots. As a team, the Wizards showed that they, too, could
play tough defense. At halftime, the Tiger lead was only 22–20.
Wes didn't actually smile during halftime, but he admitted that the team had had some good moments. When he said this, Seth
winked at Pete, who grinned.
“In the second half,” said Wes, “let's try a full-court press on them, see if that rattles their brains. Also, if you see
a fast-break chance, go for it. We might catch them by surprise. And keep up the D—no easy baskets.” He looked around. “Danny,
Con? Anything to add?”
Con said, “Their guy in the black headband lovesshooting from downtown. Give him room and let him bomb away — he's not as good as he thinks he is.”
“All right!” Wes leaned
of the basket. When a teammate's shot went off the rim, he tipped the ball out to another Tiger. Seth tried to muscle him
away from his spot, but the guy was too big and strong. The Tiger rebounded another shot and bounced the ball to a player
on the baseline, who sank it despite being rammed by Pete. The ref called Pete for a foul, and the Tiger hit the free throw.
It was 5–0. Wes signaled for a time-out.
Seth felt stunned as the Wizards huddled aroundtheir coaches. “Welcome to the world of wheelchair basketball,” said Con.
Pete scowled and muttered, “These guys are too much for us.”
Seth snapped, “What are you talking about? We're going to get better!” He suddenly felt a competitive anger he hadn't felt
since before his accident.
“Quiet, everybody!” Wes said. “We've only played a couple of minutes, so don't panic. I called time so you wouldn't lose your
heads out there. Remember, these guys are veterans, and this is your first time. Remember your prepared plays and stick to
them. We'll play a half-court game for now, no fast breaks, just move the ball around and be alert.
“Always know where your opponents are and where the ball is. On that first play, some of you rushed downcourt without bothering
to make sure the ball was coming with you.
Keep an eye on the ball!
Otherwise, you're in for hard times. Now, take your time, look for good shots. Remember your basic plays: pick-and-roll,
give-and-go, all that stuff. When you have the ball, find an open man. When you don't have the ball,
get
open.
“All right! Let's show this team that they can't just roll over us!”
Seth took the inbound pass, tossed to James, and got the ball back at midcourt. Sensing movement on his left, he yanked the
ball away just before a Tiger defender could snatch it. The Tigers were in a tight man-to-man defense. Suddenly, Pete made
a quick pivot, and Seth whipped him the ball. Pete lofted a twelve-footer that went in off the glass to make the score 5–2.
During the next few minutes, Seth and his teammates realized that the Tigers, while more experienced, weren't supermen. At
one point, James made a steal and Seth converted a fast-break layup. Seth's arms were aching, though, when Wes sent in subs
for him and Pete with three minutes left in the first quarter.
Con came over as Seth caught his breath. “Good move on the fast break!”
Seth wiped his face with a towel. “We
can!
play with these guys!
Way to go, James
”
The wiry James had just drawn a charging foul by getting into the lane and holding his position against a Tiger who was trying
a layup. When the Wizardsscored on a slick give-and-go, the score was 9–6; the Wizards were only three down.
At the end of the quarter, however, the Tigers led, 11–6. During the second quarter, Seth was all over the court. He made
steals, assists, and an outstanding defensive play when he lunged to knock a Tiger pass out of bounds and fell out of his
chair in the process. He waved away offers of assistance and got back in the chair, while even Tiger fans applauded. Pete
made some great moves with his chair and shook loose for a few shots. As a team, the Wizards showed that they, too, could
play tough defense. At halftime, the Tiger lead was only 22–20.
Wes didn't actually smile during halftime, but he admitted that the team had had some good moments. When he said this, Seth
winked at Pete, who grinned.
“In the second half,” said Wes, “let's try a full-court press on them, see if that rattles their brains. Also, if you see
a fast-break chance, go for it. We might catch them by surprise. And keep up the D—no easy baskets.” He looked around. “Danny,
Con? Anything to add?”
Con said, “Their guy in the black headband lovesshooting from downtown. Give him room and let him bomb away — he's not as good as he thinks he is.”
“All right!” Wes leaned
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