The next day, the Warriors win their game. Before playoffs, they have one more game, and Will tells him that Matt—the largest player on their team—has caught pneumonia and is in the hospital. Leaving his IM conversation with Will and Colby, he turns to Tess, at first trying to convince her to play. She says that he’ll think of something else. After their conversation ends, he gets another message, but the narration does not say who it’s from.

They beat Hanesboro the next morning because Colby does so well. Tess also points out that Danny has twelve assists. He is at first shocked that she knows what an assist is, and she chides him for underestimating her.

Tess and Will stick around to watch the Viking’s game. Their new player—David Rodriguez—is clearly now the best center in town. Danny also pays specific attention to both coaches, Mr. Ross especially, trying to figure out why “twelve-year-old travel basketball—winning at twelve-year-old travel basketball—seemed to mean so much to him” (235). He thinks neither coach seems to be having much fun. It seems more like they’re competing against one another, and Danny thinks about how his dad always says that it’s “a players’ game” (236).