Another team drops out from the Tri-Valley Basketball League, so the Warriors are in. When Danny insults the team again, Richie tells him to grow up and that he has a plan.

Ty hasn’t responded to Danny’s calls or messages.

In the first two games, the Warriors lose. 

Richie is late to the next practice and arrives in a bad mood. He puts the team through a series of drills then tells them, “The worst crime in sports isn’t losing. […] It’s not competing. In my whole life I’ve never been associated with a team that didn’t want to compete and I’m sure not going to start now” (131). He continues to yell at the players throughout practice. Ali sees, having stopped by on her way home from book club. She asks to speak with Richie alone.

Danny sneaks back to listen to the argument, overhearing his mom chastise him for being hungover. She tells him to either quit drinking or just leave, telling Danny doesn’t need to find out that he’s a drunk. Danny wonders what’s going to happen with the team.