For Chris who painted the basketball key on the backyard patio and for everyone who played backyard basketball at the Burnham Avenue Court
ONE Game Face The noise in the gym was so loud Sameer could feel it rumbling up through his chair and thrum ming in his chest It shook the scorers table where he was sitting and jittered the pen beside the score sheet The few adults in the gym had their hands over their ears shaking their heads in alarm and giving each other pained smiles Some kids in the crowd were doing the wave and the non-waving sections were drumming their feet in a deafening frenzy on the bleachers as the seconds ticked down on the halftime break Even during this pause in the basketball game the Gladys Spinoza Junior High gym was a riot of cheering chaos 1
Alison Hughes Sameer smiled and pushed up his glasses The atmosphere in the gym was exactly how he liked it He swung his short legs happily turned to Gracie and yelled Great crowd eh She shrugged The usual she shouted back smiling and shaking her head Sameer jumped as the buzzer sounded scrambled off his chair and stood to high-five the team members as they ran back from their half time shooting Every guy on the team swung by the scorers table to slap Sameer’s hand Great job guys Keep it up Shots shots shots Rochon Nikho they’re playing close on D burn around them and go to the hoop You can take that number 3 easy Boards man boards You are getting up there Nate Whatcha been eating Hey great support from the bench Sameer had a quick word of encouragement for every one of them Sameer Gracie tugged at his arm and pointed at the refs who were at the center circle looking impatient to start the half Sameer and Gracie switched places at the table and Gracie snatched up the pen and smoothed the score sheet The scoring wasn’t anywhere near as much fun as 2
kings of the court the announcing so he and Gracie had agreed to call one half score the next Sameer adjusted the microphone and pulled a paper with cryptic stats on it from his pocket Then he settled his elbows on the table put his chin on his fists closed his eyes and savored the moment Gracie had done a great job calling the first half She had a knack for description a quick lively delivery and great give-and-take with the crowd It was a tough act to follow Sameer took a deep breath reminded himself how much he loved basketball and this team opened his eyes and flicked on the mic We’re back you pounding maniacs he thundered The crowd roared its approval You guys are amazing No school has spirit like Gladys Spinoza school spirit We are most definitely in GLADIATOR COUNTRY Sameer’s friend Vijay the Gladiators mascot brandished a silver garbage-can-lid shield and dollar-store sword in a menacing and bloodthirsty manner racing back and forth and baying at the appreciative crowd Gracie elbowed Sameer and pointed to the players on the court her eyebrows raised 3
