Chapter 13 - THE DISTRICT FINAL
Hawthorne made the district final.
Not because Noah transformed into a superstar.
Because the team got better.
Tyler rebounded.
Noah organized offense.
Other kids defended.
Denise coached without theater.
Final opponent:
West Ridge.
Bigger.
Faster.
Hawthorne trailed by nine at halftime.
Denise looked at the team.
“No speeches. Fix three things.”
Spacing.
Transition defense.
Turnovers.
Basketball.
Good.
Noah played the whole fourth quarter.
With thirty seconds left, tied game, he drove.
Two defenders collapsed.
Old Noah might force a shot to prove something.
He passed.
Tyler scored.
Hawthorne up two.
West Ridge tied with free throws.
Final possession.
Noah had the ball.
Everyone expected the small kid to take the movie shot.
He did not.
He ran the set.
The shot missed.
Overtime.
Hawthorne eventually lost by three.
No miracle.
No trophy.
No revenge ending.
In the locker room, Tyler punched a locker lightly.
Denise said:
“Don’t break school property.”
He laughed through tears.
Noah sat.
Ethan waited outside.
When Noah emerged, his eyes were red.
“You okay?”
“No.”
“Good game.”
“We lost.”
“I know.”
Noah almost snapped.
Then stopped.
Ethan did not tell him loss was secretly victory.
He let loss be loss.
On the drive home, Noah said:
“I should’ve shot.”
“Maybe.”
“You think?”
“I think passing was right.”
“Then why maybe?”
“Because basketball gives you something to obsess over until next season.”
Noah laughed.
That helped.
Then he said:
“Blake would’ve said I was too scared.”
Ethan looked at him.
“Was he coaching tonight?”
“No.”
“Then why is he in the car?”
Noah went quiet.
That was the last hold Blake still had.
Not roster.
May you like
Voice.
Noah would have to remove that himself.
