Shelter Kid
By:
Jon Stewart
(© 2021 by the author)
The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's
consent. Comments are appreciated at...
jstewart@tickiestories.us
Chapter 23
Flash Forward
It was poetic justice that the first game the following year was against Madville. Josh, of course, was on the Hopewell team. Every player came over to Josh and shook his hand, “asked how he was and apologized for the team’s dirty play in last year’s final.” Bobby Edwards started at point, Josh played some shooting guard. The game was tight though out at the beginning of the 4th quarter Hopewell was down 6 points. Coach went over to Bobby, “what do ya think, Bobby? Let Josh run the point for a little?”
“If you do that coach, he’ll win the game, I’ll be happy to sit and watch.”
Josh took over the point, took a 3-point shot as it left his hand the team was all back on defense. No one watched it go through the net; except Bobby and Coach and the boys on the bench who were cheering wildly. Hopewell was energized; the defense came alive, Madville‘s shot was rebounded by Jesse who passed to Josh and Jesse raced down court. Madville wasn’t back on defense. Josh hit a wide-open Jesse in stride for an easy layup. Hopewell was only down now by 1 point. Madville called time out. Their coach reminded them, they lost the title to this team. Coach Short cheated you out of an honest win. You can beat this team. He set a play for a 3-point shot for Jeff Stewart off of a screen. Then he said on defense we double team “Grammar School”. If they are going to beat us, it’s not gonna be him. Don’t foul and no rough stuff, just clean, double teams. Jeff Stewart had some heart in him, as well and he made the 3-point shot. Now down 4 Hopewell called time. 3 minutes were left. Bobby Edwards was back in at point Josh at shooting guard. Josh was running his double teamers crazy out at the 3-point line. Bobby drove to the basket. No one challenged him and he made the easy layup. Hopewell now down by 2. Madville ran the same play and Jeff Stewart made another 3-point shot putting Madville up by 5 with 2 minutes left. Bobby brought the ball down again, this time Madville blocked the basket leaving Jesse open for an easy jumper but the Madville center tried to get back to Jesse and fouled him. Jesse made the foul shot and the Madville lead was now 2 points, with a minute left. Coach Mathews called time. “First, use the trap defense then when they don’t score; Jesse and Mutt set screens for Josh out at the 3-point line. Josh, you run your friends into those screens. Bobby, you are the feeder. If Josh is open, get him the ball; if not look for Jesse who will roll toward the basket to tie this thing up. We Good?” “Yes, Coach.”
The trap confused Madville and they missed their shot. 20 seconds left. Jesse rebounded, passed to Bobby, and set up his screen in the center of the 3-point line. Mutt set up at the angle on the right side. Bobby got across mid-court and held his dribble. Josh was running like the wind around the key and came up to Jesse so close they could have kissed. Jesse stood still as the first of Josh’s 2 defenders bounced off him; 10 seconds left; he cut toward the basket and then back out and the 2nd defender ran right smack into un-moveable Mutt. 5 seconds left. He was open; Bobby then raced to the top of the circle and passed to Josh in the corner. 2 seconds left. The ball was in the air; the end of game horn sounded. Everyone watched except Josh who was running back on defense then he heard the Hopewell crowd roar and the chant of “Josh, Josh, Josh” went up from the stands. He smiled to himself and went running over to the Madville bench congratulating them on a great game and shaking everyone’s hand. He was shortly joined by the rest of the Hopewell team. Jeff Stewart came up to him and said “Hey, Grammar School, don’t you ever miss?”
Josh said, “Hey you guys played great!! Your three pointers almost got us. You have nothing to be ashamed of in this game. Jeeze, it was close. I love games like this. You guys are so good.”
Jeff said, “I hope we meet you in the play-offs.”
Bobby, Jesse, Mutt, Josh and the rest of the Hopewell team stayed together throughout the rest of high school. They won a total of 4 state championships. Played together for a total of 82 games. Their record of 82 wins and no losses was the longest consecutive winning streak in the state and was only rivaled by a California School who played 5 more games for the longest streak in the country.
To be continued...
Posted: 01/21/2022