It seemed to the frantic Cubs that they couldn’t shatter the tight defense. Pat dribbled the ball lazily, passing it to a player in the middle of the floor.
“Get in there! Break it up!” Chips and Fred yelled from the sidelines. “Thirty seconds to play!”
Thirty seconds! Holy Mackerel, the game was the same as over! Dan breathed heavily. He was winded, and sick with the fear of defeat.
Only one basket was needed—only one.
Then Dan saw his chance. Still employing “keep it away” tactics, Pat lazily passed the ball to the forward who guarded Chub. The player missed the catch and the ball rolled free.
Like a flash, Dan darted in and seized it.
“Stop him!” Pat yelled.
Both guards were on Dan in an instant. They boxed him in, making it impossible for him to have an unobstructed shot for the basket.
Dan knew that he never could score. True, he could make a wild shot, but it never would find its mark.
Chub, however, stood unguarded a little beyond the center of the floor.