called Junior. The other team huddled up, too, and I had a pretty good idea what they were talking about. “You all know where the ball is going,” said Junior. “Straight to Carlos,” I said. “No doubt about it,” agreed Deuce. Carlos had mostly been happy to spread the ball around so far, dumping it into the post to let Yeti do the dirty work or dropping it back to Ledge for a jumper. But this was game point, and he was definitely the kind of guy who’d want to keep the glory for himself. “Should we front him?” asked Mike. “Keep him from getting the ball?” “Or maybe we should double-team him as soon as he gets it?” said Deuce. “I’ve got a better idea,” I said. They leaned in a little closer to hear it. “Let him have it,” I said. “You sure?” said Junior. “Yeah,” I said, looking right at him. He nodded. Coach or not, he knew me well enough to know when I had something up my sleeve. Mike hadn’t known me quite as long. He looked confused for a second.
