Up and down the field went the ball and the excitement grew moment by moment. Two to nothing in favor of the home team! That was a situation bound to create excitement both in the field and on the benches.
Suddenly the captain of the visiting team got the ball. She passed it swiftly to her back center. Signaling one after the other of her team-mates, the Keyport captain sent the ball from hand to hand until—to the startled amazement of her opponents, the ball was in hand for a clear throw. In another moment it was in the basket and the score was tied again!
Four minutes more to play!
When the referee threw the ball up again every one of the eighteen girls playing was on the qui vive. The subordinate players watched their captains for signals. Central High got the ball. They rushed it down the field. But the guarding of the Keyport team was too much for them. They could not reach the basket.
Again and again was the ball passed back and forth. Once more the Keyport captain shot it back for a clear throw. But Hester managed to halt it. There were but a few moments of play left. It is not good basketball to oppose other than one’s immediate opponent; but for once Hester went out of her field to stop the ball.
A side swipe, and the ball was hurtled directly into Laura’s hands. She turned and threw it swiftly, making the signal for the famous massed play which was the strongest point in the game as played by Central High.
Down the field the ball shot, from one to the other. Hester’s quick break in the Keyport plan had rattled the latter team for a moment. And before the visitors recovered, the ball was hurtling through the air straight for the basket.
The whistle blew. But the ball sped on. It struck the edge of the basket; but the next breath it slid in and—the game was won!
Central High had outstripped its strongest opponent. The game won, so was the series, and the beautiful cup would remain in the possession of Central High.
“And all because of you, Hessie!” shouted Bobby, when they got back to the dressing room. “You’re a bully good sport! Isn’t she, girls?”