MVP

8:00

The red numbers on the clock showed that there was one quarter left in the game. In just eight minutes, one team would win the seventh-grade championship. The score was tied at 24.

Our sweaty team huddled around Coach Sanchez. “Pass it around and don’t get boxed in,” he warned. “When you’re open, shoot.”

We stuck our hands into the middle. “Go, Eagles!”

Back on the floor, Brandon had the ball. I was open, but he passed it to Cole. Cole had a great turn-around jump shot, but I was a good shot, too. In fact, we each had six points so far. But Cole was more popular, and the team fed him the ball. 

7:00

The Kings took possession of the ball and tied the score. Then Cole was fouled and sank his two free throws. That added two points to our team’s score — and to the score in my head. It shouldn’t have mattered, but for once I wanted to outscore Cole. I wanted to show the team that I could be the MVP — most valuable player.

The Kings dribbled down, but Jeff stole the ball and threw a long, hard pass to me. I saw Cole running toward the bucket, but no one was guarding me either. I dribbled in and shot. The ball swished through for two.

Cole slapped my hand. “Good shot, Derek.”

“Thanks,” I said. I didn’t worry about whether or not I should have passed the ball. Cole had his fair share of chances.

6:00

The score bounced back and forth: Eagles 30, Kings 32. Eagles 35, Kings 34. The score in my head kept bouncing, too: Derek 8, Cole 10. Derek 12, Cole 11. 

5:00

I ran down the court, trying to guard my man. I jumped straight up as he shot, and my hand knocked the ball just enough to send it off the backboard.

Cole got the rebound and dribbled down the court. He passed the ball to me and ran under the basket. I ignored him and shot, but the ball bounced off the rim.

“Cole was open,” said Jeff.

“So was I,” I muttered. But I felt rotten inside.

“Hey, it’s no big deal,” said Cole. “We’re all trying to win this game. We’re a team.” 

4:00

It happened fast. Cole was on the floor holding his ankle, his face twisted with pain.

Coach Sanchez was there in a second. “We’ll put some ice on it,” he said. “You’re done playing.”

Cole nodded, then Coach helped him to the bench.

Everyone cheered for Cole, and I felt my heart hammer in my ears. Now I was going to be the MVP without a doubt.

3:00

We were up by four. Brandon took the ball down and passed it to me. I jumped up to shoot from the side, but suddenly two King players were guarding me instead of one. I lost the ball.

The Kings dribbled down and passed the ball to one of their key players. Cole had held him to just four points. Justin, Cole’s substitute, couldn’t move as fast, and the King player scored.

“You can do it!” Cole shouted from the bench, but it didn’t look good.

Every time I got the ball, the Kings double-teamed me. They figured that with Cole gone, they could shut me down and win. Cole had helped divide their attention before, and he’d guarded one of their best shooters. I’d never thought about how much that helped my game.

Now we were down by one. Our school had a shot at its first championship, but time was running out. All of a sudden, more than anything, I wanted our team to take home the trophy. 

2:00

“Time out!” called Coach Sanchez, and we ran off the floor.

“We need points, guys,” said Coach as we crowded around him.

“Get it to Brandon,” I blurted out. “They’re leaving him open when they double-team me.”

Everyone looked at Brandon. He hardly ever shot.

“Give it a try,” said Coach.

1:00

I took the ball down the court. Two Kings boxed me in, leaving Brandon wide open. I faked a shot and bounce-passed the ball to him. He caught it and hesitated.

“Shoot!” I shouted.

Brandon let it fly — right into the bucket. We won by one huge point as the buzzer sounded. The gym exploded with cheers.

We were all jumping around when I spotted Cole on the bench.

“Hey,” I said. “Great game.”

“You, too,” said Cole, slapping my back. “Great idea to pass it to Brandon. Congratulations on getting MVP.”

I’d been waiting a long time to hear those words, but they didn’t seem so important now. “Thanks,” I said. “It was a team effort.”

And I finally understood just what that meant.