Summer Ball

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2007

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Chapters 23-24Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 23 Summary

After receiving a compliment from Josh Cameron, Danny feels “some of his old confidence coming back” (206). Cameron even guesses who Danny’s father is, as he claims both players show the same cleverness on the court. Coach Powers agrees when Cameron describes Danny as one to watch. Later, the boys discuss the finals brackets, with Danny figuring a way to face off against Lamar for the championship.

That night, Danny phones home; he speaks to his mother, but his father still refuses to talk to him. His mother, Ali, assures Danny his father has calmed down, reminding Danny “‘He just needs longer to work through things than most people’” (207). Danny tells his mother about his fight with Lamar, fearing she will be disappointed. To this, Ali tells Danny he did the right thing in defending Zach. Ali plans to join Danny at camp on Saturday, for the championship game, already assuming Danny will make it to the finals.

To begin the playoffs, Danny’s team faces the Bulls, who lost their last round on purpose to play the Celtics for an easy win. Coach Powers puts Danny in to guard a big, bruising player and “[s]omehow […] Danny held his own” (211). Down by twelve points, Coach Powers puts Will into the game, even though Coach Powers possesses little faith in Will’s ability. Will, however, makes three baskets, bringing the Celtics back into the game.

The Bulls draw another foul from Rasheed, causing Rasheed to foul out. As Danny helps him up, Rasheed tells him, “‘Now you all got to pick me up in more ways than one’” (213). Danny understands what Rasheed means: he wants Danny and his team to compensate for his absence in the game, and win without him. With the game on the line, Coach Powers gives the ball to Danny. Up against TJ, a much bigger player, Danny fakes a shot, getting TJ off his feet. Danny waits for TJ to come down then shoots the ball, with TJ fouling him. Danny then takes his two foul shots, making both and winning the game for the Celtics.

Chapter 24 Summary

While Ty practices late, Danny and the other boys go into town. There, Danny expresses worry that if he wins, it means Coach Powers wins as well. He wants Coach Powers to admit how wrong he is about Danny as a basketball player. Will, often insightful, reasons with Danny; he believes Coach Powers is too stubborn to admit when he is wrong. The two bump fists, solidifying their commitment to win.

The next day, Danny’s team plays Ty’s team, the Cavaliers. The Celtics win by six points because Rasheed plays better that day. Danny notes that “today is the only one that ever matters in sports” (218). Rasheed even tells Ty that the next time they face off, the victor could just as easily be Ty. While Rasheed, Danny, and Ty talk, Lamar warns Rasheed not to expect anything from him when Lamar beats him in the finals. Rasheed, cool as ever, simply stares down Lamar until the latter shrinks away.

Danny and his friends watch Zach’s final, and Zach’s team wins by a landslide. After the game, Danny gives Zach a new ball, to replace the one Lamar ruined. Zach tells Danny he would not have made it through camp without him and Danny quotes his dad, saying, “‘He says that the guys who aren’t any good, they’re the ones that always find excuses. But the guys who are good enough, they always find a way’” (221). Danny puts Zach into the second category. Afterward, Danny goes off by himself to practice for the championship game, resolving to do his best tomorrow, no matter what.

Chapters 23-24 Analysis

In subsequent games, Danny uses Ty’s advice to secure wins for his team. He finally understands that taller players will always be an obstacle, so he learns strategies to get around them and use his smaller height to his advantage. When Rasheed leaves the game, fouling out, the pressure is on for the Celtics to prove they can win without their star player; it is a chance to prove Rasheed is not carrying the team, as Coach Powers implies. Danny gets the ball lower to the ground then tricks a tall player into blocking a fake shot. He shoots at the basket then lets the tall player crash down on him: “[Danny] rolled like a champ. The way Nick Pinto said little guys had to” (215).

The next game matches two all-star players of similar style and caliber: Rasheed and Danny’s best friend, Ty. That day, Rasheed simply plays better throughout the game to secure the win. In the end, Ty and Rasheed, both good sports, show admiration for each other’s game. Rasheed tells Ty that he played better today and Danny remarks, “He knew. It was always about today” (219). Rasheed then adds, “‘Next time it would probably be you’” (219). This exchange underscores the reality most players deal with: a game like basketball is precious—any given day could be a player’s moment to shine or falter. Hard work and integrity are the factors a player can control.