Summer Ball

A spot in the regular cabins opens up, but Danny surprises everyone by declining the spot and opting to stay with Zach. This impresses Tarik, who remarks, “‘[Danny] just sticks’” (64), which means Danny remains loyal to people, including Zach. The boys also return to practice with Coach Powers, who, despite outlining a passing strategy, allows Rasheed possession of the ball more than his other players. Coach Powers even makes a nasty comment to Danny about his previous team’s victory, implying Danny’s team only won after the referees made a call in their favor.

As Danny watches the other boys play, he tries to evaluate himself honestly because “Richie Walker, Danny knew, overpraised him sometimes” (68). Danny’s father claims Danny has something he calls “the eye” when it comes to basketball, which “‘means you see things happening on the court before they actually happen’” (69). At Right Way, under Coach’s disapproving gaze, Danny loses sight of the game long enough for Rasheed to knock him down: “[b]efore he hit the ground, before his head snapped back on the court, he had a perfect view of Rasheed continuing to fly toward the basket, laying the ball in, no backboard, all net” (74).