Read Real Hoops for Free Online Page B

shrugged. “My dad makes me do my homework first.”
    “I saw you playing there the other night, you know.”
    “What? Were you spying on me or something?” Hud sounded annoyed.
    “No, my parents and I were just coming home from the winter concert and my dad wanted to see the Center.”
    Hud took a few steps away, looking like he wanted to take off.
    “You’re not supposed to be playing pickup games, remember?” Ben said. “It’s against the team rules.”
    “Yeah, I know,” Hud said, staring right at Ben. “But I like playing at Westwood.” He nodded toward the stairs that led to the gym. “It’s a lot more fun than all the drills and stuff Coach George makes us do. Playing at the Center is more like real hoops.”
    “Coach George is a good coach,” Ben said. “Even Mr. Sims said so.”
    “If he’s such a good coach, how come he’s starting Levon instead of me at point guard?”
    Ben didn’t have a good answer for that one. “Hey, we’re undefeated,” he said finally. “And Coach George plays you a lot. You’re just not a starter.”
    “Well, if he keeps starting Levon, we won’t stay undefeated for long,” Hud said with a smirk. “We might lose to Robinson tomorrow. They’re supposed to be pretty tough.”
    Ben could feel the salt from his sweat making his skin itch. “If Coach catches you playing pickup, he’ll suspend you.”
    “He won’t find out,” Hud said. “Who’s going to tell him?”
    “I don’t know,” Ben said. “But I’m supposed to. I’m the captain.”
    “Do what you want.” Hud shrugged. “I guess Levon will have to get you the ball in all your favorite spots, then.” He started to push past Ben. “I gotta go.”
    Ben grabbed Hud by the arm. “Listen, you’ve got to stop playing pickup.”
    Hud shook free. “I
like
playing at Westwood, okay?” he snapped. “It makes me a better player.”
    “Yeah, but—” Ben started.
    “And that will help the team,” Hud broke in. “More than Coach’s stupid rules.”
    He pushed open the door and let it slam behind him.
    A gust of cold air blew in and Ben just stood there for a long time. Finally, he turned slowly and headed into the locker room, feeling like he had just lost the biggest game of the season.

Chapter 11
    S imple pass, Hudson!” Coach George shouted from the bench after yet another turnover. “Simple pass!”
    Ben checked the scoreboard as he ran back on defense.

    The Roosevelt Raiders trailed the Robinson Panthers by six points in the third quarter. Ben looked over at the Raiders bench. Coach George stood with his arms folded, as if he was thinking of his next move.
    I hope he keeps Hud in
, Ben thought.
    Logan ripped down a missed shot and whipped a pass to Hud, who quickly took the ball up the middle of the court as Ben raced along the right. At half-court, Hud zipped a no-look pass to the right, but Ben was a half step behind. The ball bounced off his fingertips and out of bounds.
    Coach George slapped the bench and signaled to Levon to get ready. The next time the referee blew his whistle, Levon went in for Hud.
    I should have caught that pass
, Ben thought.
Then Hud would still be in the game
.
    “Be careful, Levon!” Coach George shouted after him. “Remember, you already have four fouls.”
    Hud dropped down on the end of the bench and leaned back. He wiped his face with a towel and threw it on the floor in frustration. “Come on, Raiders!” he called. “Let’s come back.”
    Slowly, the Raiders started to inch back into the game. With Levon running theoffense and getting the ball to Logan on the inside and Ben on the outside for open jump shots, the Raiders pulled within two points of the Panthers. With three minutes to go in the game, the score was 47–45. The Raiders were pumped. They could win this one!
    “Come on, Raiders.”
    “We need a stop.”
    “Good defense, good defense.”
    The Panthers point guard brought the ball downcourt and they started passing it around,