TJ Zaps the Smackdown #6: Stopping a Physical Bully
time he makes a four-pointer give him a cookie Ethan and I laughed A three-pointer I said turning to Ethan You keep nailing those and you’ll defi nitely start in the tournament Ethan smiled Really I’m busting my butt Before two weeks ago I never even made a three-pointer I hope Coach Daltry watches cause I really want to start in the tournament That would be so cool wouldn’t it Auntie Stella snapped her towel in the air If Coach Daltry doesn’t let you start I’ll give him the ol dish towel Ethan laughed as he grabbed my basketball You crack me up Auntie Stella He was still laughing when we left and kept a goofy grin on his face all the way to school 8
By the time we got to the playground most of the guys from the team were there When they saw us they stopped the game and gave us high fi ves Except for Niko His hands were shoved in his pockets He looked Ethan up and down at least fi ve times What’s up Niko I asked He kept his eyes glued to Ethan and didn’t answer Ethan didn’t even seem to notice I tossed Niko the ball I’ll be on your team He fi nally nodded and jogged back to the other guys Ethan trudged over to the other side of the court A minute later Ethan stole the ball from Niko and shot a three-pointer 9
If you do that during the game I shouted we’ll beat the Tornados Niko slapped my back Hey Aren’t you on my team He threw the ball so hard at me that it made me lose my balance I nodded Yeah But technically we’re all on the same team So So what said Niko as he brushed up against me You’re on my team here Lamar ran over to Niko Calm down Niko He pushed him away from me It’s just a game Just a game said Niko No wonder Coach Daltry never puts you in the game If you’re on a team my team you can’t cheer for the other team Get it Lamar backed away It’s not a real game Niko We’re just practicing And it’s not your team 10
Niko rolled his eyes I had fi rst picks didn’t I That means it’s my team And I’m glad I didn’t pick you That made Lamar crazy mad Jumping up and down kind of mad You’re just ticked off that some of the fourth graders are better than you Way better than you Niko’s face turned red but he didn’t say a word He just walked to center court and started playing again But it didn’t last long A few minutes later Ethan stole the ball from Niko again But as Ethan went to shoot the ball Niko barreled into him They both fell on the court Niko landed on top of Ethan Sorry mumbled Niko as he slowly rolled off of Ethan 11
