After that day's training, Bellman asked the players to stay and have a meeting with everyone.
He explained the situation to everyone and said that he must play a warm-up match with the designated opponent, and only after winning can he officially join the CIF San Francisco League.
"That's not fair."
"We fought so well against those crooks at CIF."
"Why another fight?"
"Who is our opponent?"
Everyone was talking all of a sudden, complaining and asking.
After everyone was quiet for a while, Behrman said: "Director Liu told me that the designated opponent is Fremont High School in Oakland."
As soon as the words were spoken, the team fell silent. No one spoke, and several people showed nervous expressions on their faces.
The training hall suddenly fell into a terrible silence, which made the sunlight that slanted into the YMCA gym after five o'clock feel a bit cold.
Gan Guoyang broke the silence and said: "Although this is unfair, there is nothing we can do. We can only win the game."
Big Bear Wu Zhixiong said: "But why did the opponent pick Fremont? A school in Oakland, this is intentional. Should we go to them to compete?"
Bellman nodded and said it was an away game, going to Tiger Stadium in Fremont.
"I heard people die every year at Fremont High School."
"Every semester, and often on the basketball court."
"There was one last year who got into an argument while playing and was shot to death."
Everyone started chatting again. Gan Guoyang was whispering to Chen Xing, learning about the situation at Fremont High School from him.
Bellman interrupted everyone's discussion and said: "I know that this game is not easy to play, and I also know that there is a certain degree of danger in it. I heard that the white middle schools in Oakland are afraid to beat Fremont, especially At Tiger Stadium, if they win, they may not get out. So if any of you are scared to play this game, take a leave of absence or quit the team, I don't blame you."
The arena fell into silence again, no one spoke, and no one stood up to express their intention to withdraw.
Bellman thought that he might be embarrassed in front of everyone, so he said: "Let's do it this way. Those who decide to stay with the team to participate in the game can leave first. Those who have other ideas can stay and chat with me alone. Or, anything else You can also come to me privately if you have time."
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone seemed to be relieved. They all ran to the locker room to change clothes, took their bags and prepared to leave the gym.
Only Gan Guoyang and Xu Xun stayed for additional training as usual.
Gan Guoyang said: "I stayed to practice more, not to quit."
Xu Xun: "Me too."
And what about the rest? No one wants to quit?
Bellman asked loudly at the door: "No one wants to quit? Are you sure no one wants to quit?"
Of the previous 11 people, two quit after the first training. Since then, the team has only had 9 people.
Bellman is already prepared to have two less people this time. With seven people, he can still make up a rotation.
Unexpectedly, no one wanted to quit. Everyone left from the door laughing and joking. Some went home and some ran out to play.
Bellman waited for a while at the entrance of the gymnasium to see if anyone turned around. After all, there were so many people just now, so he might be afraid of being seen by his classmates.
At this time, Gan Guohui ran back. Behrman thought he was going to quit, but he didn't know that he rushed into the locker room.
"What are you doing back?"
"Oh, I forgot to take my things!"
"Farke, I thought you were going to quit."
"Huh? I won't quit. No one will quit. Mr. Behrman, we are just dishes, but we are not cowards."
After saying that, Gan Guohui ran away in a hurry.
Behrman looked at Gan Guohui's leaving figure and felt inexplicably moved.
Among the 9 people on the team, the fat man Gan Guohui should be the one with the worst level.
Running and jumping, physical fitness, technology, and awareness are all unqualified or even poor from a professional perspective.
The only thing that's reasonable about him is that he can shoot well and he can get stuck inside because he's heavier, that's all.
Both have the same surname and the same bloodline, but the gap is so huge.
He didn't get a chance to play at all, he was just a bench cheerleader.
The team's training has become more and more intensive recently, and Bellman is making it more difficult for everyone.
There were several times when Gan Guohui vomited during practice. He obviously couldn't keep up with the rhythm as he had not received professional sports training in the past.
But even so, Gan Guohui went all out in every training and never arrived late or left early.
His persistence and optimism gave Bellman a deeper and newer understanding of this group of teenagers.
There is no doubt that Gan Guoyang plays a big role as a team leader.
He is the source of everyone's confidence. With him, everyone has the confidence to win the game.
Because of this, Bellman hopes that the team can win this game.
He made a phone call over the weekend and made an appointment with Mr. Karp-Raven to find out about Fremont High School.
Cap LaVine, who knows the basketball scene in the Bay Area well, was shocked when he learned of the San Francisco League's decision.
"This is definitely a kind of suppression. Beiqiao High School's performance can definitely enter the San Francisco League. They are already a news team in San Francisco."
"And why not play somewhere in the middle and go to Fremont's home court? Go to Oakland. Fremont is very strong and they have players who can play in the NBA."
"who?"
"Henry Turner. A sophomore, 6-foot-6, forward, one of the best forwards in Oakland. The other young people are also very talented. They all grew up from the streets of Oakland. They have a tough style of play and are definitely difficult to deal with. "
Kap LaVine is worried about the fate of the North American Water Bells. He pointed out that the Water Bells still have big flaws in their lineup.
"You have too little talent, and only Gan stands out from the crowd. There is nothing wrong with your strategy, but it is against an average team. It will be very difficult for you against Fremont, especially on the road."
"I think so too. I have been applying to the school since August, hoping to bring in another talented striker. But so far I have not found one. There are very few Chinese players who can play in San Francisco. They say that there are a large concentration of Asian players. In Los Angeles.”
"Does it have to be Chinese players? Can players of other skin colors be allowed?"
"Of course. Beiqiao Middle School is not a purely Chinese school. They also have black students. But there are no white students."
Cap LaVine pondered for a while and said: "Bobby, you know, during the semester, if a talented player transfers to another school, it often means that he has some other problems."
Behrman shrugged and said, "I understand that many gifted and problematic students are kicked around by different schools and their talents are wasted."
"Yes, I know a child who is a senior in high school this year. He has changed three schools. He is a thorn. If Beiqiao Middle School is willing to accept him, maybe he can help you."
"Introduce him to me and I can try. Now at Beiqiao Middle School, basketball is the first priority."
In this way, Cap LaVine introduced Bickle Franklin to Bellman. Bellman drove to Hunters Point in the West City of San Francisco the next morning, on a shabby street in the most terrifying and dangerous slum area in the entire Bay Area. On the court, I saw Franklin - he flew up and dunked over his opponent.
Bellman's appearance aroused the vigilance of the entire neighborhood. When he explained his purpose to Franklin, Franklin had a strange look on his face.
"Beiqiao Middle School? Chinese school? Are you kidding me?"
This boy with afro hair and a ripped brown T-shirt had a haughty indifference on his face.
After saying that, he turned back to the court and continued to play one-on-one bullfighting with others-a dollar bet in hand.
"We will provide you with a scholarship and provide you with a path to college in the future, and... you will become the team's No. 2 player, working with Gan to defeat opponents."
The first two conditions were expected, but the third point irritated Franklin. He threw the ball and pointed at Bellman, saying: "I will only be the absolute core of the team, not some bullshit second person! Gan!" ? What fool, that Chinese? Shit!"
"Let me meet your mother. I want to talk to her. Also, if you are not convinced, I can take you to compete with Gan. You might as well give it a try. You must have heard of his name recently. If you can If so, how about treating you to lunch? Is there any good restaurant here, your favorite?"
Franklin hesitated for a moment, said a restaurant name, and got into Behrman's car.
