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Sophia hid behind the rack of basketballs as Ava walked by, for she was hoping not to be noticed.

“Why are you here? You can’t make a basket for your life.” Ava said. “Maybe if I practice I can get better and make a team in the NCAA.” Said Sophia.

“Yeah with a LOT of practice, good luck at tryouts.” Ava replied

Sophia hurried to get on her sneaker, so she could be extra early to tryouts. Her sneakers were the newest sneakers and were Sophia’s most prized possessions.They were a deep purple color and had black laces. Her shoes were given to her by her mom as a good luck charm for try-outs.

When Sophia got on the court she was surrounded by other girls also ready to play. She tried to find an empty basket and saw one girl shooting alone, so she went up to her.

“Hi, I’m Sophia. What’s your name?” Asked Sophia.

“I’m Emma, I tried out for this team last year but I didn’t make it, so hope to make the team this year.” Emma responded.

Then the coached called all the girls to the middle of the court.

“Okay ladies, settle down. Today we have 20 girls trying out for a 12 stop team. If you did the math in your head, then you know 8 girls will not make the team. Let’s start out with full court lay-ups.” said the coach.

All of the girls made all of their lay-ups and would look at Sophia when she missed. Then the girls would whisper to each other. Sophia knew she only had to concentrate more and ignore the girls. The next time she went up for the shot, she made the basket, and she was overjoyed.

“Let’s go! Come on everyone shoot 10 foul shots, and count how many you make.” Yelled the coach.Sophia ran to an empty basket. She set up for her first shot and missed it. “It’s okay I just need to bend my legs more.” Sophia thought. She set up for her second shot, and SWISH the basketball landed straight into the net. She set up for her next shot and missed, and she missed her third and fourth. She kept on shooting and ended with a total of five shots made! This was the highest she had ever gotten.

“Everyone in the middle. Come on hurry up.” Yelled the coach.

“I made nine.” Said Ava.

“I made eight.” Said Emma.

The rest of the girls made a range of seven to ten of their shots. Sophia was worried to tell the coach that she only had made five, but she knew she had to tell the truth.

“I made five.” Said Sophia.

“Wow I bet that’s your new record.” Said Ava. Everyone laughed at Ava’s joke.

“Alright, ladies. The teams will be posted tomorrow.” Said coach.

“Good luck, Sophia.” Said Ava as she ran out.

The next day Sophia ran into school to find that she had not made the team. She was disappointed but determined to practice even harder to improve.

“So, you didn’t make the team.” Ava said.

“No, but maybe I can make it next year or practice with you guys.” Sophia respond.

“Yeah, maybe.” Ava responded

“Sophia I made the team!” Said Emma.

“Wow good job!” Said Sophia.

“Hey Sophia!” Yelled coach.

“Oh hi!” Said Sophia. “I have the perfect spot for you on the team! You can be the water girl!”

“Sure, I would love to.”

“ Practice starts today after school at 4:00 sharp.”

Sophia was overjoyed to have this opportunity to practice with the team. She hoped to improve with them.

When Sophia walked into the gym, she saw all the girls warming up. She grabbed a ball and tried to find an open basket when coach stopped her.

“Sophia, you're not practicing with the team. You are gonna help me.” Coach insisted.

“Okay.” Sophia said disappointed.

Coach led Sophia into the locker room. “First you will assign numbers to each player based on their requests. Then you will wash the uniforms. After that you will pump up all of the basketballs, and when you're done with that you can practice with the team!” Demanded Coach.

Sophia looked though the requests of what numbers everyone wanted and then washed them. She then placed their uniforms into their lockers and started to blow up all the basketballs. When she was almost done, the team ran in, for practice had already ended

“Look at that she has a spot on the team after all!” Hollered Ava.

The rest of the team laughed at Ava’s joke. Sophia ran out embarrassed that she didn’t make the team. Emma ran after her into the parking lot.

“Hey Sophia, don’t be sad. They just want to get on your nerves so you quit.” Said Emma.

“I might as well.” Said Sophia.

“Don’t quit, I didn’t. I practiced harder and harder everyday until I made the team. You can do the same!” Emma cheered.

“You really think that would work?” Sophia questioned .

“Yeah! You can help coach during our practice.When we are done you can use the gym for yourself!” Emma suggested.

Sophia went back into the locker room to finish her tasks. When she got there all the girls were gone and she could work in peace. She finished with the basketballs and took one into the gym to practice. She shot 50 foul shots and 100 lay-ups. She also shot 50 jump shots. She could already see herself improving.

For the next month Sophia practiced everyday. One day Emma came to check on her.

“Hey you look so good!” Said Emma.

“Thanks, how was practice?” Said Sophia.

“Good, our first game is tomorrow. Coach told me that you're invited to sit on the bench with the team.”

“Really? I’m so excited”

The next day Sophia went to school and could not wait for the game. When it was three o’clock she could not help but race down to the gym. She saw a NCAA college scout in the stands. He was the head coach of the UCONN women's basketball team.

“What could he be doing at a high school basketball game?” Sophia thought.

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"Purple Shoes Princess"

Name: Purple Shoes Princess
Author: mlivingood

mlivingood

Sophia, a young girl with dreams of playing basketball, faces ridicule and disappointment but never gives up. She practices tirelessly, even when relegated to the role of water girl for her school team. Her dedication pays off when she's noticed by a college scout.

(35 pages)

Privacy level: PUBLIC

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