Final Shot

Lexile: 880 | Grade: 6

Passage

The gym buzzed with noise. The championship basketball game had come down to the final 10 seconds. The score was tied, and Mia stood at the free-throw line, her palms sweaty.

She had practiced this shot a thousand times. But now, with the crowd shouting and the lights glaring down, it felt different. Everyone’s eyes were on her.

Coach Thompson gave her a quick nod from the sidelines. Mia looked over at her teammates, who were watching with silent hope. She remembered the long hours they had all spent running drills, pushing through soreness, and encouraging each other after tough losses.

She bounced the ball once. Twice. In her mind, she was back in the driveway at home, her dad cheering her on.

The first shot hit the rim… and rolled in. Cheers erupted. Mia closed her eyes for a second and took a deep breath.

She shot again. This time, it swished through the net cleanly.

The buzzer sounded. They had won.

Her teammates rushed the court, shouting her name. But Mia shook her head. “We did it,” she said. “We all did it.”