Hoop Shooting Narrative

“Good job Josie!” Coach Matt said with a beaming smile. He passed the ball back to the third-grade student. “One more shot and you’ll be number one!” I watched this scene unfold while leaning on the wall biting my nails. Well, I would have been if I wasn’t shaking so much. The Hoop Shoot event only came once a year, and I wanted to participate. The competition takes place in a high school basketball court. Students that make it shoots as many balls as they can through the hoop. The person that makes the most wins. Basketballs were thrown at the hoops as students tried out for the Hoop Shoot; only five girls and five boys made it for each grade level. Josie threw the ball-it went in. I was surprised that anyone could hear my name being called
over my near vibrating legs. Nevertheless, the children in line stared at me as I walked onto court. The ball was passed from Coach Matt’s steady hands to my trembling ones. Calm down, I thought. It’ll be ok. I breathed in through my nose and out through my mouth. I threw the ball at the painted red rectangle above the hoop. I missed the first shot. I tried again, and the ball fell through the net attached to the metal hoop. I remembered my dad’s words: “Steady hands, good stance, and focus.” The ball went through the hoop once more; Josie gasped. I had beaten her score. P.E. ended. All the third-grade children started to leave. Some had long faces while others couldn’t stop smiling. My face was expressionless, and it was hard for me to comprehend what happened. Then Coach Matt handed me a flyer and patted me on the back. “Congratulations, Langston.” He said.
The small, yellow, rectangular sheet said in bold, “Hoop Shoot Competition. Show your skills and win $100!” My straight face turned into a giddy grin. The competition was very anticlimactic. Only eight third graders were there, and ¼ of the bleachers in the huge gym was empty. A heavy silence fell over the gym when people were shooting. All that could be heard were basketballs hitting the shiny brown floor with a bump. The fifth graders went fist, then the fourth graders, then me. Thump! My basketball fell on the ground after it hit the rim of the basket. I’m missing more than I did at practice! I thought. I shot it again and missed. I started to get discouraged; there was no way I could make it to top three! My eyes turned and saw my family in the bleachers. My mom and dad smiled. Discouraging thoughts moved out of my head as I threw my last ball. It went through the hoop with a swish. “In second place…Langston Hankerson!” The announcer cheerfully said my name. My trophy was handed to me so I could pose for aa picture. I didn’t come in first place, but I did make to top three! The girl who came in first place shook hands with me. At the beginning of the competition, she said she would come in last place. The irony made me
laugh. My family came down from the bleachers to hug me. “Next stop: Steak and Shake!” my father cheered. I smiled and held his hand all the way to the car. That was the best burger I ever ate. It tasted like victory