Fred Bowen - On the Line

M arcus Devay leaped above the tangle of players stretching high for the rebound and snapped down the basketball. In one smooth motion, he took a quick dribble and sent a fadeaway jump shot toward the basket. The ball angled off the glass backboard and dropped cleanly through the net.

Marcuss teammates cheered as Marcus and the other Forestville Middle School Cardinals raced downcourt to play defense.

All right, Marcus.

Smooth move.

Youre the man, Marcus.

A satisfied smile creased Marcuss face as he got into position on defense. Hands up, he called to his teammates as he waved his hands above his head. Tough D.

A Bradley Hills guard tossed a long, off-center shot toward the basket. Marcus moved in for the rebound, jumped, and snagged the ball. He wrapped both hands around it, then zipped a bullet pass to his teammate Daniel Grady and dashed upcourt.

Daniel dribbled up the middle of the court, weaving his way past several players. At the last instant, he flipped a high pass to Marcus, who was sprinting toward the basket. Marcus took one final step and jumped. He caught the ball and, as he floated to the basket, laid a soft shot up and in. The basket stretched Forestvilles lead to 5044.

Time out! Time out! the Bradley Hills coach shouted from the sidelines.

The Forestville Cardinals were full of cheers and high fives as they gathered at the bench.

Okay, cut the celebrations, Coach Lerner said. Were only up by six points, and there are almost three minutes to go. Plenty of time left. Weve got to keep playing good defense and keep rebounding.

Coach Lerner looked around the circle of seventh- and eighth-grade boys. Then he stared straight at Marcus, the tallest of the group. Lets try to get the ball in to Marcus. And Marcus, youve got to take it up strong. They may try to foul you.

Marcus nodded silently. I hope I dont have to take any foul shots, he thought. I hate taking foul shots.

And remember, Coach Lerner continued, we need good

DEE-fense! the team yelled. The players ran onto the court ready to play.

But Bradley Hills quickly cut the lead to four when its star forward got lucky with a desperate jump shot that bounced off the backboard, onto the rim, and through the net.

Marcus jogged upcourt, set up near the right side of the basket, and held up his left hand, signaling for the ball. Carl LaRue, a Forestville guard, saw that Marcus was open and fired a pass to him. Marcus tried to dribble around a Bradley Hills defender to the basket, but the defender gave him a swift shove. Marcus managed to balance on one foot long enough to send an awkward scoop shot to the hoop.

Phweeet! The referees whistle shrieked as Marcus tumbled to the floor and the ball headed for the basket. It teetered on the rim for a few seconds, but fell off to the side. Marcus slammed his fist against the floor in frustration.

Foul on blue, number 12, the referee called.

The referee signaled that Marcus would get two shots.

As Marcus slowly prepared to take his foul shots, all the games action froze. Players stood motionless in their positions along the lane. The referee was still. The crowd was quiet. And all eyes were on Marcus.

Marcus spun the ball in his hands and bounced it low and hard three times. Each bounce made a loud thump on the gym floor. Come on, you can do it, Marcus thought to himself as he stared at the rim. Its an easy shot, youve got to make it. Then he took a deep breath, brought the ball up high, and flicked it toward the basket with a snap of his wrist. The ball clanged off the back of the rim, onto the floor, and back to Marcus. He pounded the ball against the floor with a short, angry bounce and then tossed it to the referee.

Second shot, the referee said, holding up the ball. Dont move until the ball touches the rim.

This time Marcuss shot was way short. It barely grazed the front edge of the rim. Marcus shut his eyes and hung his head for a brief moment before turning around and racing downcourt. Still up by four, Marcus thought as he ran. Weve gotta hang on.

The Bradley Hills team worked the ball around the Forestville zone defense. A Bradley Hills forward slashed to the basket.

Tulane Hayes, a Forestville forward, reached in for the ball but grabbed the Bradley Hills shooters arm.

Phweeet! Foul, the referee called, pointing to Tulane. Two shots, blue.

The Bradley Hills player calmly stepped to the line and sank both free throws. The lead melted to two points, 5048, with thirty seconds to go.

Daniel Grady and Carl LaRue, the Forestville guards, played a desperate game of keep-away as the seconds ticked off the clock. Marcus moved out to take a pass.

The moment Marcus caught the ball, the Bradley Hills coach was off the bench and on his feet.

Foul him! he yelled, pointing to Marcus.

A pair of players pounced, slapping Marcuss arms.

Phweeet!

The Bradley Hills coach clapped as the referee called the foul.

Number five on the arm, the referee said. Then, pointing to Marcus, he said, Number three is shooting two.

Time out! the Bradley Hills coach shouted.

Marcus felt dazed as he walked slowly to the Forestville bench. He hardly listened to Coach Lerner giving instructions to the team. There were twelve seconds left on the clock and Forestville was only up by two points. Marcus looked past the huddle and stared at the Bradley Hills coach.