TOBY WHEELER LOVES basketball and playing pickup games at the local rec center. No coaches, no practices, just nonstop action with his best friend, JJ, at his side. But lately JJ's been acting like he's too busy for Toby, and Toby knows it will only get worse once basketball season begins at thei...
Mom and Dad made me pose for a million photographs. When that was over, I sat in the shade on a folding chair with a glass of lemonade and a sugar cookie. Francis showed up and took a seat next to me. Sipping the last of my lemonade, I realized it was now or never. I had to tell him I wasn’t goin...
Everybody was running a little harder in practice, talking more during scrimmages, and complaining less about playing time. Coach told us to think of it as another chance to start the season. Except we were 0–3 with seven games left. Finishing 7–3 might get us into the postseason league tournamen...