Pivot and Win

by Lisa Gibbs

  Janet smiled calmly at him. ‘Eliza Hedger is my niece. She arranged for us to watch training today.’

  Lily felt extremely important when the security guard checked their story and waved them in. He closed the door firmly behind them.

  They settled in the front seats on the first level of the stadium. This meant they could see the whole court easily but were not in anyone’s way. They could also see Eliza chatting to someone who Lily guessed was the coach.

  Lily’s eyes raced back and forth between each player. When she realised what the players were doing at the start of their training session, she couldn’t believe it. The best young netballers in the whole country did the same opening drills as the Marrang Under 13s team – passing practice with a partner!

  When they started throwing long passes, one of the balls went wide and bounced off the goal post. It was coming towards Lily, fast as a bullet. Lily reacted automatically. She flung her hands out and somehow managed to catch the ball when it smacked into her palms.

  ‘Good catch!’ said Janet.

  Lily threw the ball back down to the court, trying to put some power behind her throw. She didn’t admit to her mum that her hands were stinging from the catch.

  The player waiting for the ball clapped. ‘We want you in the team!’ she called.

  Lily grinned at the praise.

  When the players settled into training drills, she was amazed. They ran, jumped and threw balls around the court in the most complicated patterns.

  How do they know where to go next? Lily wondered.

  Every pass was perfect, and they threw the ball so hard! They called loudly for the ball, encouraged each other and pushed their tall, strong bodies until sweat dripped off their faces.

  For Lily, though, the best part of watching the training session was watching the practice game. The players separated into two teams and the game began.

  Janet pointed out when they used some of the skills that the Marrang Gems had learnt to use in their own games. ‘Watch that Wing Attack at this next centre pass. See that? She used a straight lead.’

  Lily nodded, entranced.

  ‘See the Wing Defence who just caught the ball? See her pivot?’

  Lily could only nod again. There were so many moves to watch – and they did everything so quickly!

  The defenders closest to their seat caught her eye.

  ‘Mum, did you see that!’ Lily pointed. ‘They just did the chairlift. Julie Corletto showed me that at Aunt Jo’s party.’ Lily’s eyes sparkled. ‘I can’t wait to use that in a game!’

  Janet took her eyes off the court and turned to Lily. ‘No, Lily, I don’t want you to try it in a game.’

  ‘But Julie said …’

  ‘It’s a very complicated move and you’re not experienced enough yet to try it,’ said Janet. Her firm voice meant business and Lily knew it wouldn’t help to argue.

  I know I can use the chairlift. Mum doesn’t think I’m good enough but I don’t care what she says, I’m going to try it in a game. I’ll show her I’ve got what it takes.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Lily jumped up and down on the spot, shaking her arms loosely to warm them up – just like she had seen the 21/U team do. She hoped the others would notice. She had told them she had been to the training session, and had been sure they would want to ask her what valuable tips she’d learnt.

  She heard some jumping behind her and turned to see Maddy and Prani imitating her, their arms waving so much they looked like monkeys.

  ‘Very funny!’ said Lily, grinning.

  Jade wandered over. ‘Hey, did Janet organise an extra player for us now that Charlotte’s not here?’

  Lily nodded towards a girl sitting on the bench. ‘Yeah, I think that might be her. She’s from the Under 12s team but Mum said she’ll only play in an emergency – if someone gets injured or something.’

  ‘Cool. I hope that means we all get a full game today!’ said Jade.

  Janet began handing out the position bibs and Lily was pleased to see she would be playing in Goal Defence. Just like Julie!

  She eyed off the Carrington Goal Attack and Goal Shooter and shifted her bib into position. I am so ready for this! I bet I can use the chairlift to defend like Julie does. I’ll show Mum I can do it!

  Lily couldn’t remember the Carrington team until play started. They were a bouncy team who tended to throw slow, high passes – often to players behind them. It wasn’t usually the best way to play, but it was a good way to keep the ball from the opponent.

  Carrington had the first centre pass and immediately started lobbing the ball around the court. They were in no hurry to send it down to the goal circle so the Marrang Gems ran around in circles after them, unable to block any passes and starting to tire themselves out.

  Lily watched in frustration as the tall Goal Attack standing beside her plucked the ball out of the air and then threw it back to the Wing Defence in the centre third. Lily was used to running fast and darting in between players to intercept passes as the ball travelled down the court, but she didn’t quite know how to defend against this style of play. She stood ready, bouncing on the balls of her feet. The next time a high ball was sent to the Carrington Goal Attack, Lily reached as far up as she could and just managed to tap the ball away. Although the Carrington Wing Attack scooped up the ball anyway, Lily was proud that she had interrupted the play, and when the next high pass came to the Goal Attack, Lily tapped it away again.

  She grinned when she heard the cheers from the Marrang spectators. These long arms come in handy. That practice session with Phoebe must have worked!

  The Carrington Goal Shooter had received the ball and was turning to shoot for a goal.

  Here’s my chance to use Julie’s move! Lily thought. Prani, their Goal Keeper, was preparing to defend the Carrington Goal Shooter. Lily grabbed her around the waist, ready to lift her as she jumped.

  ‘Hee, hee, hee!’ Prani squealed. ‘That tickles!’

  ‘Prani, I’m trying to help you jump!’

  ‘Huh?’

  Brrrp! ‘Goal,’ said the umpire. ‘Marrang centre pass.’

  Lily looked up and realised that the Goal Shooter had scored while she had distracted Prani. Scowling and carefully avoiding looking at her mum, Lily walked back to the transverse line for the next centre pass.

  Maddy in Centre got a clean pass to Jade in Wing Attack, who threw it on to Sienna in Goal Attack. The Marrang Gems were able to score after using their low, hard passes to get the ball down the court, but as the game progressed, they seemed unable to stop the Carrington players as they moved the ball in circles to players around the court.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Lily was determined to use her new tactics to stop Carrington from scoring a goal. The next time the ball came down to the Carrington goal circle, Lily tried to use her long arms to tap away the lob pass. But it was out of Lily’s reach and the tall Goal Attack was able to grab the ball easily.

  The Goal Attack wasn’t close enough to the ring, though, so she passed the ball to the Shooter, then snuck closer to the goals and called for a return pass.

  Lily stepped back and lifted her arm to defend the pass. ‘Quick, Prani, give me a lift,’ she called, jumping up and down on the spot. Prani tried to lift Lily as she jumped but she timed it wrong. Lily stumbled and fell forward, and the Carrington Goal Attack caught the pass. She whipped around and, with Lily out of the way, had a clear shot at goal.

  Brrrp! ‘Goal!’ said the umpire.

  ‘Lily!’

  Lily heard the stern tone of her mother’s voice. She reluctantly looked towards the sideline.

  ‘Lily, cut it out. No chairlifts, do you hear me?’

  Lily gave one short nod and turned away, frowning.

  I know I can get Julie’s move right next time. Then she’ll see.

  As she watched the ball come down towards the Carrington goals again, Lily realised that the Goal Attack was slow getting back to the goal circle. Li
ly dropped back to help Prani defend the Goal Shooter who had just received the ball. She put her hands firmly on Prani’s waist. ‘One, two, three!’ Prani jumped and, with Lily’s support, reached up high into the air.

  We’ve done it! Lily thought … Then, Uh-oh!

  Prani’s jump went wonky and she toppled back onto Lily. Reacting quickly, the Carrington Goal Shooter bypassed their defence with a quick pass to the Goal Attack. Lily, still tangled up with Prani, couldn’t do anything to stop another goal being scored.

  Lily’s shoulders dropped as the quarter-time whistle went.

  Oh no! I got it wrong again! Mum will be so mad! She slowly turned to face her mother.

  ‘If you cannot follow instructions, you will not take the court,’ Janet said, her hand out for Lily’s position bibs.

  Lily felt her cheeks burn red as Janet handed her bibs to the young emergency fill-in from the Under 12s team.

  ‘Good to see even the coach’s daughter can’t get away with bad play!’ sneered Jade into Lily’s ear, as she ran back onto the court for the second quarter.

  Lily slunk over to the team bench and sat down with her drink bottle. She clenched her jaw and fixed her stare on the court, not looking at anyone in particular, and especially not at her mum.

  Once the game had recommenced, Janet came and sat beside her. ‘Lily, you are such a good, strong player – no, really,’ she emphasised when she saw Lily roll her eyes. ‘But you’re getting ahead of yourself. I will teach you to be a great player if you trust me. You’re not ready for that move you were trying today.’

  Lily said nothing, sullenly watching the game.

  ‘There is no room in this game for selfish players. It’s a team sport, remember?’ Janet added.

  Lily frowned. Having your mum as coach was very annoying sometimes.

  Gradually though, she had to admit her mum was right. ‘I’m sorry, Mum,’ she muttered.

  ‘Lily, three lessons from today: you need to listen to your coach, be a team player, and not use new moves that haven’t been tried out at training. If you accept that, then I’m prepared to put you back on after half-time.’

  Lily looked up at her mum with a weak smile. ‘Okay, Mum. It won’t happen again.’

  Chapter Sixteen

  The Gems were disappointed to lose to Carrington, especially because it had been a ten-goal loss.

  Lily and Isabella sat on the edge of court two and watched the Marrang Under 17s team go through their warm-up drills. Isabella often travelled to and from games and training with Janet and Lily, and the girls were waiting for Janet so that they could leave.

  Janet squatted on her heels next to Lily. ‘Could you and Isabella put all the sports gear in the car? I have to talk to the committee president for a minute, then we’ll head off home. Get Steven to help you.’

  The two girls began to gather several bags that held balls, position bibs and a first-aid kit. They struggled to pick it all up.

  ‘Steven! Come and help us!’ Lily yelled.

  Steven ignored her. He was on an empty court shooting goals with his mate, Josh, who also had a sister who played netball. They were having a great time trying to shoot goals from way outside the goal circle.

  Lily and Isabella staggered past Steven on their way to the car. ‘Thanks for nothing, Steven,’ snapped Lily. ‘Stupid brother … Stupid game … Stupid equipment.’

  As Lily grumbled her way to the carpark, large raindrops started to fall. The girls broke into an awkward trot. ‘Stupid rain.’ Lily’s grumble list was growing.

  They hastily stuffed the bags into the boot and jumped into the back seat of the car just as the rain became heavier.

  ‘Hey Lily, I know exactly what will cheer you up,’ said Isabella. She grinned with a wicked gleam in her eye and pulled a book out of the bag next to her. She handed the book to Lily, who read the title.

  ‘Oh! I forgot about this,’ said Lily. ‘Teenage Brothers and How to Even the Score.’ Lily laughed. ‘I can’t wait to use something out of this to get Steven. I’ve been super-sneaky: he doesn’t know yet that I know that he’s hiding my stuff!’

  ‘We can get him now!’ said Isabella. ‘Here he comes. Quick! Lock all the doors!’

  They dived for the locks, just as Steven launched himself at the handle of the front passenger door.

  ‘Let me in!’ he yelled, as he stood in the pouring rain.

  The girls gave Steven big fake smiles. His blond hair was wet and plastered to his head, and his white T-shirt hung damply on his shoulders.

  ‘Sorry?’ Lily asked. She cupped a hand around one ear. ‘I can’t hear you!’

  Steven smiled at Lily through the window. ‘Are you really sure you want to do this?’ he said. ‘Because I might have to get you back!’

  Behind Steven, Lily saw her mum jogging towards the car, dodging potholes along the way.

  Lily timed when she unlocked the doors so that Steven jumped into the front seat only seconds before Janet reached the driver’s door.

  ‘If you’d helped with the stuff, you wouldn’t be so wet,’ said Lily.

  She and Isabella grinned at each other.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Late on Saturday afternoon, the doorbell rang and Lily bolted to the front of the house. ‘I’ll get it!’ she called.

  She opened the front door. ‘Hi Phoebs!’

  Phoebe stood on the doorstep, her sports bag slung over one shoulder and a sleeping-bag under her other arm.

  ‘I’ve been dying for you to get here. I have a really great book to show you!’

  Phoebe was beginning to know that cheeky grin on Lily’s face. It usually meant she was going to do something fun! They walked side by side down the hall towards Lily’s bedroom. Phoebe stopped in the doorway, staring into the room. Her eyes widened as she surveyed the disaster scene.

  ‘I heard you’re messy,’ Phoebe said, ‘but … wow!’

  Lily shrugged and casually pushed stuff into a pile in a corner to make room for a mattress and Phoebe’s bag.

  ‘Mum makes me clean it,’ said Lily, ‘but it never stays that way.’

  She pulled Phoebe down to sit on the bed beside her and then leant over the end of her bed to search through the mess in the corner. ‘Isabella gave me this amazing book … Where is it? … It has great ideas for getting brothers … Here it is!’

  Phoebe tried to follow Lily’s train of thought. It wasn’t until she read the title of the book that she understood.

  ‘So we’re going to play a trick on Steven?’ she asked.

  ‘Exactly,’ said Lily, ‘and we have to do it today. I reckon Steven’s going to play a trick on me pretty soon because I locked him out of the car in the rain, so I’m going to be one step ahead of him and have a trick ready before he does!’ She collapsed back on the bed, causing them both to bounce up and down. ‘I surprise even myself with my genius!’

  Phoebe and Lily pored over the book, trying to decide which trick to play on Steven.

  ‘What about this one?’ suggested Lily. ‘We could put flower stickers on his bike.’

  Phoebe wrinkled her nose. ‘What if he can’t get them off?’

  ‘I hadn’t thought of that … I don’t want to be mean,’ said Lily.

  She flipped the pages idly and Phoebe stopped her by putting her hand flat on a page. ‘Hang on. What about that one?’

  Lily read the heading: ‘Short Sheet the Bed.’ The book explained how to fold the upper sheet of a bed in half from the top, so that a person who climbs into the bed can only stretch their body a small way before hitting the fold.

  ‘That’s not bad, but Steven could easily catch us. Too risky,’ Lily decided.

  For a few more minutes she continued to flip through the pages. ‘There was one idea I liked … Where was it? … Here, read this.’

  Chapter Eighteen

  Lily and Phoebe devised a plan. Phoebe was the lookout to make sure Steven didn’t see them. She stationed herself at the end of the hall. Lily ran into S
teven’s bedroom and grabbed his tennis shorts, which he needed to wear on Sunday morning for his game. Together, they dipped the shorts in water in the bathroom basin and put the shorts into a plastic bag.

  Then the two girls casually went into the kitchen.

  ‘Hi Janet,’ said Phoebe. ‘Thanks for having me over tonight.’

  Janet turned from where she was chopping vegetables on the bench. ‘No problem, Phoebe. We’re glad to have you.’

  While Phoebe was distracting Janet, Lily opened the freezer door and shoved the shorts in. Then she opened the fridge and stood calmly staring at the contents

  Janet noticed her. ‘Don’t eat anything now, dinner will be ready soon.’

  ‘Okay,’ said Lily, turning away from the fridge. ‘Come on, Phoebe, let’s go back to my room.’

  They reached Lily’s room, shut the door and collapsed on the bed, bouncing and laughing.

  ‘We did it!’ said Lily.

  The next morning, Lily woke to the sound of a ball bouncing in the hallway. She stumbled to her bedroom door and looked across to Steven’s room. It took a few moments for her brain to catch on to what he was doing. When it registered, Lily ran the few feet to his doorway. She began shouting at the top of her voice, waking Phoebe and her parents.

  ‘STEVEN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? THAT’S MY NETBALL UNIFORM!’

  Steven had taped Lily’s netball uniform across the open doorway of his bedroom. He was kicking a soccer ball at the stretchy blue and pink material.

  ‘I’m practising soccer,’ said Steven. ‘Your uniform adds to the bounce!’

  Lily took a breath. She knew that Steven would never really damage her uniform. She folded her arms and tried to look unworried, leaning against the wall. She spoke very calmly this time.

  ‘Are you sure you want to keep doing that, Steven?’