Jack loved basketball, but was horrible at it. His Dad never had time to practice with him. He was too busy with work. Jack tried every day, but he couldn't do it. Jack's Dad signed him up for a basketball team. Jack was excited, but anxious and scared. He didn't want to be laughed at when he would dribble off of his foot or miss a layup.
It was Jack's first game. He couldn't feel his legs. When he saw how big the other team was he ran outside crying. His Dad ran out to find him. He looked everywhere except for this one bush. He looked around it and there was Jack, hands over his eyes. His Dad sat next to him. His Dad said, "Jack, it doesn't matter if you lose or win. You just have to try your hardest and have fun." Jack felt better after that. He went back in there and tried. They lost, but he had fun.
The next game Jack was not doing good. He dribbled off of his foot 12 times and missed 6 easy shots. It was the 3rd quarter with 4 minutes left. They were down by 12 points. The ball got flat so they had to get a new one, but we couldn't find one. One ball rolled onto the floor. Everybody looked around to see where it came from, but they had no clue. The ball was perfect. The Ref said it was fine so they played with that ball.
When Jack started dribbling sloppy, he heard voices. It was weird. They weren't voices from other people. He looked at the ball. Jack realized THE BALL WAS TALKING! He panicked. He wanted to tell the Ref, but no way they would believe him so he kept on playing. Jack heard the voices. The ball said, "Jack, listen to me." Jack didn't want to. He was so scared. The ball said, "Jack, you can win this if you listen."
Jack said, "We're losing by 12. That's impossible. I'm horrible."
The ball said, "I can help you."
"How?" Said Jack.
"I will give you tips and good advice."
Jack said, "You might give me tips, but not the strength or skill," when all of a sudden Jack felt stronger and better. "Wait, you did this," said Jack.
"Yes," said the basketball.
The basketball said to cross over once, then through the legs, and behind the back. Jack dribbled up to the player and did the move. The player fell. Now he drove to the basket for a layup. They were down by 10 now.
The basketball said, "When he switches it to his left hand steal it. He can't use his left hand." When he switched, Jack stole the ball. He was running down the court, but there was a huge guy down low. Jack couldn't make the layup so he pulled up for 3 and swished it. Jack was amazing. His Dad jumped up and cheered! The whole place was on fire, everybody yelling and screaming for Jack.
Jack passed to his friend Ricky, then Ricky made the layup. They were down by 5. The underdogs were coming back. The basketball told him to do a reverse layup. Jack had no clue how to do that. The basketball said, "Don't worry, it's just like a layup but on the other side. Jack nodded. He drove, bounced off the big guy and reached out his arm, flicked the wrist, and it went in. Down by 3. Jack was so excited.
"Oh, no" Jack said. The big guy was rushing down the court. The ball said in his mind to swipe low. Jack got down on the block and swiped. The ball came loose. He grabbed it and ran down the court with 5 seconds left. He shot the 3 and got fouled. The ball swished. Jack just had to make the free throw. He was so nervous but the ball said to believe in himself, so he did. He shot and it rattled in. They won the game, YAY!
Jack's Dad rushed down and gave Jack a hug. He said, "I'm so proud of you," and the ball was too. Jack brought the ball home and he practiced every day with his ball and the ball lead him to a championship.
The End.
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