Pressure Point

Pressure Point — page 1 — by Rich Wallace illustrated by Tim Heitz An Imprint of Magic Wagon abdopublishing com

Pressure Point — page 2 — TABLE OF CONTENTS Ice Cold 4 Basketball World 16 Standing Still 26 Glued to the Bench 39 Every Second 50 Driveway Lessons 60 Hogging It 69 Too Many Guards 79 Zoning In 91 Not Fooled 98

Pressure Point — page 3 — ONEONE Ic Cold Relax I told myself We’ve still got a chance I took a quick glance at the scoreboard We trailed 43 38 Nineteen seconds remained It could still happen A bucket a steal a buzzer-beating three-pointer Overtime The inbounds pass smacked into my hands and I sprinted up the court Miles Robertson met me just past the midcourt line forcing me wide The Central point guard had frustrated me all night But this game wasn’t over yet Big Alan Mitchell rushed to the foul line and set a hard screen for me I sliced past but Robertson fought through The guy is impossible to shake I drove toward the hoop I could hear the crowd yelling 4

Pressure Point — page 4 — Use that backboard I thought as I lofted the ball in a high arc Not high enough Robertson leaped and stretched Thwack I winced as the ball flew upcourt Robertson had blocked the shot Central was already on a fast break I watched in frustration as the score turned to 45 38 The final buzzer went off seconds later I hadn’t even moved Nice game Santana Robertson said sticking out his hand I shook it weakly Robertson ran off to join his celebrating teammates I walked off slowly Coach Mancini’s postgame talk was a blur I just stared at my locker The sweat on my back turned ice cold We’ll get back on track tomorrow Be on the court ready to roll at three fifteen Coach ended 5

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