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that this team deserves a chance in the play-offs.”
    With a sigh, Kevin nodded and joined his team. “I do, too,” he said.

CHAPTER 10
TEAMWORK
    As the Clovers pressed on, Brandon heard more cars. He heard people talking. The music from the band sounded like it was growing louder. They were getting closer.
    â€œWouldn’t it be great if there was a crowd waiting for us outside the school, clapping?” Tony asked. “I mean, like they knew what we’re going through to get to this game?”
    â€œYeah, yeah,” Jeff said, rolling his eyes. “It’d make a great movie. Keep walking, man.”
    A few minutes later, Coach Hanson swung his flashlight to the left to reveal where the ground rose steeply. “Let’s slow down for a second, boys.”
    â€œHoly cow,” Charlie said as he caught sight of the steep hill. “That’s way steeper than it looks when you’re in a bus. We’re going to be exhausted by the time we get to the top of that thing.”
    â€œJust think of it as our warm up before the game,” Brandon said before anyone else could jump in with something negative. “We just have to be careful and help each other up. No one falls and no one gets left behind.”
    Jeff laughed. “So dramatic, Brandon,” he said.
    Ignoring his friend, Brandon set out for the hill. Coach Hanson walked behind, lighting up the hill as best he could with the small flashlight.
    Brandon slung his gym bag over his shoulder and started climbing. “Let’s go, guys!” he shouted. He wanted to play in the game more than anything now. He was determined to make it there.
    â€œClimb, Clovers, climb!” Tony yelled. A second later, everyone joined in. “Climb, Clovers, climb!”
    Brandon felt his foot slip, but he dug it into the ground to keep from falling. We’re playing in the play-offs tonight , he thought. No matter what.
    Further up the hill, Brandon saw the glow from the lights of the Spring Hill parking lot. He could hear the Spring Hill marching band more clearly now. “We’re almost there!” he yelled.
    Brandon clambered up the last bit, thinking that he’d never been so happy to reach an opposing team’s school. “This is it, Clovers!” he shouted as Tony, then Jeff climbed to the top of the hill.
    As the rest of the Clovers reached the top of the hill, Brandon reached down to grab Stephen’s hand and pulled him up. Jeff helped Drew up. Bags were tossed into the parking lot as the Clovers reached the top of Spring Hill.
    Brandon grasped Kevin’s hand and pulled his teammate up. Kevin smiled as he stood up and dusted off his warm-up pants, which had gotten dirty on their trek.
    â€œI have to admit . . . I’m glad you didn’t listen to me,” Kevin said with a friendly smirk.
    â€œMe too,” Brandon said with a laugh. “At least not tonight.”
    â€œAnd for what it’s worth? I’m sorry, Brandon,” Kevin said, sounding like he meant it. “It wasn’t cool of me to blame the weird stuff that happened on you being bad luck.”
    â€œThe worst part was I started to believe it,” Brandon admitted. “Now I know better.”
    A moment later Coach Hanson’s flashlight popped up, followed by his face. “What’re you guys doing?” Coach shouted. “High fiving and hugging each other? We’ve got three minutes until we’re due on the court. Let’s see some hustle, Clovers!”
    Brandon and the rest of the Clovers quickly snapped back to reality, grabbing their gear, and dashing through the parking lot. They dodged in between parked cars, shouting to each other and making their way to the open gymnasium doors. It was going to be close, but it seemed like they were going to make it to the game on time.
    Getting to the game is just part of it, though , Brandon thought. It would be nice to actually win it, too.
    As the