“Hmmm. Well, you’ll have to work that out with him—but remember, we also have to get Sharlee to her dance and karate classes. Let me go get him, so you two can figure things out.”

Derek closed his review book and got ready for bed. He had just finished brushing his teeth when his dad came in.

“Mom tells me you want me to work with you and Dave this week.”

“Can you, Dad? Please?”

“Well, tomorrow Sharlee has dance class, and Tuesday she’s got karate. But that’s over at five. Evenings are out—I’ve got papers to grade, and you’ve got homework and studying. I could do an hour with you boys on Wednesday and Thursday after school. But there wouldn’t be time to get down to the college. It would have to be on the courts here at home.”

“Awww… ”

“Don’t worry about what shape the courts are in—worry about the shape your game is in,” his dad advised. “You can’t play your best basketball if you’ve got six other things going through your head at the same time.”

“Okay, Dad. Thanks. I’ll tell Dave about Wednesday and Thursday.”

“Listen, Derek—I know you’ve got a lot on your mind, but you need to get your rest, too. If you’re tired, you won’t be able to give it your best, either in school or on the basketball court.”

“I can’t stop thinking about those tryouts,” Derek said.

“Well, then just think this one thing—you might not be the most talented kid trying out. But if you get your rest, you can at least make sure you outwork everybody else. And in the end, that’s what’s going to put you over the top.”

Derek hugged his father. “Thanks, Dad,” he said.

“Good night, old man. Get some rest. You’ve been on overdrive all week.”

“I will. G’night.”

Derek wished he could have dropped everything else, just for this one week, and concentrate totally on basketball. But he knew his dad was right. From now on, he promised himself, he was going to plan his time carefully. Otherwise, he was going to burn out—and that could mean failing at everything he was trying to do!

Chapter Six PRESSURE COOKER

Derek had dribbled his basketball left-handed all the way from the school bus into the building and down the hallway. Now he was trying to fit it inside his locker without having it roll back out.

“Hey! Derek! What’s up?”

“Sam!” he said, turning around. “Not much. What’s up with you?”

He had a sinking feeling he knew exactly what was up with Sam.

“So how’s this afternoon?” Sam said. “I really need to start studying.”

Wait, wait, thought Derek. He hasn’t even started?