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    Full Court Press
    Full Court Press
    Full Court Press
    Ebook122 pages1 hour

    Full Court Press

    By Eric Walters

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    About this ebook

    With the three-on-three tournament over, it's now time for tryouts for the school rep team. The question is will grade three students Nick and Kia have any chance to make the team? After all the rep team is normally made up only of grade five players. When Nick and Kia decide that they will try out for the team, they find they get a chilly and somewhat hostile reception from the older students. But their determination pays off and they make the team, though both seem destined to ride the bench for much of the season. And the team itself does not get off to a good start, losing its first four games. And then Kia has an idea that she thinks might turn things around. Once they persuade the team to practice the new strategy, the future begins to look brighter. Now at least Nick and Kia are getting some playing time, but can they keep the momentum going through the playoffs?
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOrca Book Publishers
    Release dateJan 1, 2001
    ISBN9781554696246
    Full Court Press
    Author

    Eric Walters

    Eric Walters is a Member of the Order of Canada and the author of over 125 books that have collectively won more than 100 awards including the Governor General’s Literary Award for The King of Jam Sandwiches. A former teacher, Eric began writing as a way to get his fifth-grade students interested in reading and writing. Eric is a tireless presenter, speaking to over 100,000 students per year in schools across the country. He lives in Guelph, Ontario.

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      Book preview

      Full Court Press - Eric Walters

      proud.

      Chapter 1

      The Announcement

      As the last strains of the national anthem faded away, we all settled into our seats to wait for the P.A. announcements.

      Good morning, Clark Boulevard students, and welcome back for another wonderful week! said our principal, the ever-cheerful Ms. Grieve. I liked school, but it always sounded like she really liked it.

      I’d like to start the week by reading the names of the Clark All-Stars for the past week, those students who were caught doing something great!

      As Ms. Grieve began to list off the names I started to drift off. There were always lots and lots of students who made the list.

      I looked down. Underneath my shirt I could make out the outline of my medal — my gold medal. I hadn’t taken it off since it was given to me on Friday. If I had it my way I would have worn it over top of my shirt where every-body could see it, but my father said I shouldn’t show it off like that. He said that winning something was like having underwear. Just ‘cause you have it doesn’t mean you should be waving it around over top of your head. I guess he was right… but it would have been nice just to show it off a little.

      Across the room sat my best friend, Kia. She flashed me a quick smile. I knew that her medal was hanging around her neck, hidden under a heavy sweater.

      And now, Ms. Grieve continued, Mr. Roberts has a few announcements.

      I was always interested in anything our gym teacher had to say, so I snapped to attention.

      I’d like to congratulate all those who played in our three-on-three basketball tournament, he began. Could all those who participated please stand up.

      Hesitantly kids, including me and Kia, pushed back their chairs and rose to their feet. There were fifteen of us in our class, and, of course, more kids doing the same thing in other classes all around the school.

      First of all I want to say, Mr. Roberts continued, that all those who participated in the tournament are winners. Let’s give all of them a round of applause.

      The kids still sitting began to clap. I heard the same sound echoing through the halls, coming from other rooms.

      That’s great, Mr. Roberts said. And I’d like everybody to now take a seat. That is everybody except for our finalists: Kingsley, Dean, Roy, Marcus, Kia and Nick.

      I stopped myself halfway down and straightened up. I’d wanted to show off my medal, but now as I was standing there with all the eyes on me, I would have loved to take my seat. At least Kia was standing as well.

      We had a thrilling final game after school on Friday between two excellent teams, Mr. Roberts said. In the end the winners were the team of Marcus, Kia and Nick. Let’s give them another round of applause!

      Our classmates started to clap and cheer and even whistle. I gave a little half smile and a bit of a wave and then sunk down into my seat as the cheering faded.

      And on that note, Mr. Roberts continued, beginning before school tomorrow we’ll be having the tryouts for the school basketball team. All interested students should obtain a permission form from the office. This letter has to be signed by both your parents and your teacher. Thank you.

      As the next announcement came on, I looked at Kia, and I knew what she was thinking. If only we were in grade five instead of grade three, we’d be there tomorrow. I guess we’d just have to wait until grade five.

      All right, everybody, we have plenty of work to do this morning, so let’s get down to it, Mrs. Orr stated. We’ll start with spelling.

      A few kids grumbled, while some of the others were slow to get out their books.

      Please don’t worry about not getting your work done, Mrs. Orr said loudly. There is plenty of time to finish your work… during recess, at lunch, and then after school.

      I knew she wasn’t joking around. In this class you had two choices: finish your work, or lose your free time finishing your work. I pulled out my spelling and started.

      * * *

      The recess bell rang out just as I finished my last math question and put down my pencil. I got up and hurried to Mrs. Orr’s desk, joining the line of kids waiting to have their work checked so they could go out for recess. Kia was right behind me.

      Soccer or basketball? she whispered.

      How about foot hockey? I suggested, turning around to talk to her.

      I guess… if we can play soccer at lunch recess or —

      Nick, are you hoping to go out for recess?

      I turned back around. I was next in line. Quickly I stepped forward and handed Mrs. Orr my books — spelling and math — the work for the first quarter of the day.

      She ran her finger along the column of answers.

      All done, Nicholas. You’re free.

      I walked over to get my coat. I was in no rush since I wasn’t going to go out until she’d checked Kia’s work too.

      Oh, and Nicholas…, Mrs. Orr said.

      I turned back around.

      I just wanted you to know — both you and Kia — that you have my permission to try out for the basketball team.

      We do? Kia questioned.

      Of course. You both have satisfactor y marks and a good attitude toward school. I just expect that you’ll not let these practices get in the way of your schoolwork.

      Kia and I exchanged a confused look.

      But Mrs. Orr, I said. We’re in grade three.

      I’m aware of your grade.

      Yeah, of course, I stammered. I just mean that the school team is for grade fives.

      It is? Mrs. Orr asked.

      It was last year, Kia said.

      I just thought it would be for the best players in the school, Mrs. Orr said.

      Kia looked at me. Do you think that we could?

      I shrugged. I don’t know. Maybe.

      Then maybe we should be playing basketball at recess, Kia suggested.

      I’m afraid not, Mrs. Orr said, shaking her head. You missed questions four through eight, so you’ll be spending your recess in here finishing up your math, she said as she handed Kia back her book.

      Chapter 2

      To Try or Not to Try

      I’m not sure what the big decision is about, my mother said as she started to clear away the supper dishes.

      I just assumed that you two would try out for any basketball team, anywhere, any-time, she continued.

      It’s not that simple, I said as I started to put plates into the dishwasher.

      "It’s the school team," Kia added.

      And that’s a fortunate coincidence, since you both go to the school, Mom said. So what’s the problem?

      You don’t understand. The team is for the grade fives. It’s sort of a senior team, explained.

      It’s a rule? You two aren’t allowed to try out for the team? Mom asked.

      No… I don’t think it’s a rule or anything. It’s more like… like a tradition.

      A tradition? she questioned. Thanksgiving dinner with your in-laws, or sending out Christmas cards, or wedding showers are traditions. I think that a school team should have the best players in the school, even if they are in kindergarten.

      Come on, Mom, kindergarten kids couldn’t make the team.

      But maybe a couple of grade three students could. You two are among the best players in the whole school, aren’t you? Mom asked.

      Not the best, I answered.

      "But you two were on the best three-onthree team in the school. Along with Marcus

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