But, None Of That Matters.

Chapter 19- Run

"How did they do that?" I quizzed Kyle, as he pulled me up.

"Perez is good. He knows this game almost as well as the coach does."

"So he's carrying their team?"

"I guess."

"Today they'll learn: your strength is also your weakness."

"So our focus is him?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying." I chuckled a bit as I passed the ball back to Kyle.

I don't understand.

Perez is consistantly blocking me, so that I can't get the ball,and no matter how much I try to block him- his team still score!!

What did we do so wrong? With both Kyle and I on the same team- we should have won; apart from Perez, there were only average players on his team.

"You played quite well today, Ed." The word "quite" frolics about in my mind.

"Thanks..."

"But, you know, yourself, that it wasn't enough. Don't you?" I stayed behind with coach, giving a hand in putting away the equipment.

"Yes. I do know that."

"While Ornell is our star player; Perez is the second best and you're... third in the ranks? D'you want to know why?"

"I'd be delighted." I mumbled.

"Because Perez relies on the team. You don't have five players, just for three of them to stand there and look pretty." Coach stopped as he locked the storage room, and turned to look at me. "You have the potential, Ed. To be the best on the court. But, basketball isn't a one man sport- we can only win the Games Festival this year if we have the best team, who work together and rely on each other."

Team. My team. Our team.

Did I even pass to anyone but Kyle?

"It's a problem, Ed; your problem." Coach continued. "You mustn't underestimate the power of your teammates."

I got back to the cubicle that I had claimed as mine, while the rest of the class changed in the general changing room. It was one of those cubicles with an open top.

"Hey Ornell! Have you been training for the CGF (College Games Festival)?!"

"Of course I have."

" I thought that I should start training for the athletics too, but wasn't sure if it was too early?"

"It's never too early. Plus, we've hardly got long til' the festival anyway." With that, I heard the changing room door close behind him.

So... Ornell is training for the athletics too? On top of what we already do at college?!

Why didn't I think to do that?!

'You mustn't underestimate the power of your teammates'? This thought whirred within the warm depths of my mind. Was coach telling me to not underestimate Ornell? Is that it?