Strong to the Hoop
by John Coy
illustrated by Leslie Jean-Bart
illustrated by Leslie Jean-Bart
Category
📚
LearningTranscript
00:00Strong to the Hoop.
00:12By John Coy.
00:15Illustrations by Leslie Jean Bart.
00:17The collage illustrations are rendered using photography and scratchboard drawings.
00:23Polaroid transfers are then made from collages to create the final images.
00:28Special thanks to the students of Saturn Forward Slash Tower Front and The Loft.
00:34JC.
00:35For Fiona and Sophie.
00:38JC.
00:39To my mother and to Turk.
00:42LJB.
01:28Thump, thump, thump.
01:51The ball bounces as my big brother Nate and I walk into the park.
01:56At the court everybody shakes hands and the guys split into two teams of four, shirts
02:02and skirts.
02:03I wish I was big enough to play, but because I'm only 10 I go to the side court.
02:10No other kids are here, so I practice my game.
02:14I dribble aim for the hoop, shoot get the ball, shoot over and over.
02:19Back on the main court, Zo glides down the lane, fakes a pass, then flips a finger roll
02:25with his left hand.
02:28So smooth it looks like slow motion.
02:31Now I imagine playing as an all-star.
02:34Tie game 9 seconds left.
02:37I bounce the ball with my left hand.
02:40No one's open.
02:426-5-4.
02:44I drive left, spin right, and soar to the hoop.
02:50The buzzer sounds.
02:51Oh no Luke yells.
02:54He lies under the basket grabbing his ankle.
02:58I am done.
03:00You need another player.
03:02How about James?
03:04Slinky points to me.
03:06You want to run?
03:08Yeah.
03:09I race on to the court.
03:12Nate and the guys gather round me.
03:15He's not big enough says Marcus.
03:18Someone else will show.
03:20Weary not waiting Zo picks up the ball.
03:23C'mon James, you're a skin.
03:26I peel off my shirt and think how skinny my body looks.
03:31You guard Marcus says Nate.
03:34Stick to him.
03:35I look up at Marcus who's a head taller.
03:39His muscles push out his shirt.
03:42Maybe I'm not ready to be out here.
03:453-3.
03:47Games 15.
03:49Right away the ball goes to Marcus.
03:52I slip and fall to the asphalt as he goes to the hoop.
03:56Out of nowhere, Slinky leaps to block the shot.
04:00Get that out of here.
04:02Slide your feet Nate tells me.
04:05Slinky nods and flips a pass.
04:08I feel the worn leather, bounce it twice, and pass to Zo.
04:13Count it he says as the ball leaves his hand.
04:16Someday I want to be able to shoot like that.
04:20Stay back on Marcus Nate says.
04:23Make him shoot outside.
04:26I move back, bending my knees and shuffling my feet.
04:31Marcus bounces the ball and looks right at me.
04:34You can't guard me.
04:36His shot rattles off the rim.
04:39Zo rebounds and we race the other way.
04:42I cut through the lane and bump into Marcus.
04:45It's like running into a rock.
04:48You're too small.
04:50Get out of here or I'll push you out.
04:53I don't like this talking.
04:55Why can't he just shut up and play?
04:59At midcourt, Zo swats a loose ball and I have a wide open layup.
05:04Shoot it softly I remind myself.
05:07Miss Marcus yells from behind and the ball's bangs off the rim.
05:12I feel everyone's eyes on me and want to crawl off the court.
05:17Go strong to the hoop.
05:19Says Nate.
05:21We gotta have those says Zo.
05:23I know.
05:24I shouldn't be out here if I miss a shot like that.
05:28Up and down we go.
05:30I bang against legs and hips to stay with Marcus.
05:34An elbow hits my head, but I keep my feet.
05:38I'm breathing so hard my lungs feel on fire and my mouth is so dry I can't spit.
05:44I dive for a ball that's going out of bounds and make the save.
05:49You okay?
05:50Nate asks.
05:52I feel the burn on my knee and see blood.
05:56But I know what to say.
05:58Yeah, I'm fine we sprint down court.
06:02Marcus makes a move and I grab him.
06:05TRCHH.
06:06What are you doing, he yells.
06:10You ripped my shirt.
06:12Call the foul then I'm sorry about the shirt but sick of his feeling.
06:17Foul.
06:19And keep your hands off me.
06:21I see the guys watching and I'm surprised to hear my voice.
06:26Then keep your hands off me at the other end.
06:29What?
06:30I don't need to hold you Marcus says.
06:34Okay you too Slinky says.
06:37Let's play ball.
06:38A crows has gathered around the court and someone's turned on music.
06:44Finish it off Marcus a tall kid shouts.
06:47We've got winners.
06:50Marcus leans forward and makes a move.
06:53I slide my feet and the ball hits his leg and skips out of bounds.
06:58He glares at me but doesn't say a thing.
07:01I zoom down court ferocious like a lion.
07:05I bounce pass to Slinky who scores off the board.
07:09Nice look he hits my hand.
07:12The kid can hoop a man in dark glasses says as I hurry back on defense.
07:17Okay kid Marcus sneers.
07:20You and me.
07:22He pushes off me and hits a jumper.
07:25My legs feel heavy now as the sun bakes the asphalt.
07:2914-14.
07:32Game point.
07:33Zou bounces the ball like a yo-yo between his legs.
07:37This is it.
07:39The team that wins keeps playing and I feel my heart beating.
07:43I wipe my hands on my shorts but right away they're sweaty again.
07:49Zou zips a pass to Nate.
07:51I bump my shoulder against Marcus.
07:55Nate passes back to Zou and Marcus rushes to double team.
07:59Zou passes to me.
08:02Shoot it.
08:03I turn and shoot in one smooth motion.
08:06Yes, yells Nate.
08:09Game point by James he and Slinky lift me up and I grin a championship smile.
08:15That was our plan says Zou.
08:18Go to James for the game.
08:20You guys couldn't stop him.
08:23Good game James Marcus slaps my hand.
08:27Good game Marcus I'm happy as the last day of school.
08:31At the hoop, four new players are warming up.
08:34You need one, someone shouts.
08:38No says Nate.
08:40We've got our four.
08:41I can't believe I'm on the main court with these guys.
08:45I feel strong enough to run all afternoon.
08:490-0.
08:51Going to 15 I call.
08:54Ball's in.
08:55The end.