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The Captain Question
Lambert Collins
1 At basketball practice yesterday, the sweat was pouring off my face. We were really pushing ourselves to our limits, but something was definitely off. We were missing passes and getting our game strategies mixed up. Charlie, who has never been anything but graceful on his feet, looked around in confusion and tripped. He was okay, but it showed how out of sync we were.
2 We all secretly knew what was happening, but we didn't want to admit it. We knew Coach Webb would be the one to say it.
3 At last, Coach called us over and we stood panting as he shook his head. "It's clear that something's not right. You guys all worked together so smoothly when Mickie was the team captain. After he and his family moved, our teamwork is falling apart. We really need to choose a new, strong captain."
4We agreed, sadly, but at the same time it seemed an impossible dilemma. How could you replace a guy like Mickie? He had been the glue that held our team together. He thought of great plays that baffled the other teams. He knew where to send everyone where they would be most effective. Mickie had the right answer for everything.
5 "Tomorrow we vote for a new captain," said Coach. "Put on your thinking caps and really give this some thought. This can be the decision that brings us a winning season."
6 So, I did exactly that. I sat down after dinner that night and thought about everyone on the team. I wanted to make the best choice I could. It might sound funny, but I even made a list and wrote down some ideas. I hoped that one of the players would emerge as a clear choice for captain.
7 What I found, though, was just the opposite. Almost every player had one special quality that would be great for a captain. On my list under "Charlie," I wrote that he was usually the fastest one on the team. He could move across the court so quickly he'd look just like a blur of our green and white uniform.
8 Kurtis was a good choice, too, because he was the oldest guy on the team. He had more experience playing basketball, and being older might help him think more calmly and clearly.
9 Jimar was the tallest player. He was so tall, he hardly had to jump to reach the basket. Once we got the ball stuck in the bleachers. While the rest of us were trying to climb up to it, he just stood on his tip-toes and popped it free.
10 Matt was great for the team because of his personality. Everyone liked him and he was a lot of fun to be around. He brought energy and fun to the game that was in many ways more important than wins or losses.
11 And Sameh would be a good choice for captain, too, because he had the best grades. Sports are important, but doing well in class is even more important. He showed how you should balance learning and playing.
12 The list went on and on. I was completely stuck! When I went to practice the next day, I was hanging my head and feeling pretty nervous. It was a tough choice and I felt like I would be letting everyone down when I admitted I didn't know who should be captain.
13 Coach Webb lined us up and asked us, one by one, who we wanted to vote for and why. I was surprised that most of the guys voted for themselves! They didn't seem to hesitate at all. When Coach asked them why, they just said it would be fun to be captain. Amir voted for Matt, but only said it was because he was a nice guy. Nobody had given it much thought.
14 At last it was my turn, and I embarrassedly told them I didn't know. Everyone had something good that would contribute to the team. I even showed my list. Then I apologized and stepped back.
15 Nobody said anything for a minute. Then Kurtis said I should be captain. Matt and Leroy agreed. And then, suddenly, everyone pointed to me and said I was their new choice. I had no idea what had happened! I was dumbfounded.
16 But again, it was Coach who was able to describe what was happening. He told me, "I agree you should be captain. Not only do you take decisions seriously, but you think about others instead of yourself. Those are some of the most important qualities in a leader. And, clearly, you know a lot about the team."
17 And that's how I became captain of the Edmonds High Eagles. I don't know if I'll ever be as good a leader as Mickie was, but I'll sure try.
Question
How does the characterization of Coach Webb help develop the plot?
Responses
A The characterization of Coach Webb provides a contrast to the selflessness of the narrator.The characterization of Coach Webb provides a contrast to the selflessness of the narrator.
B The characterization of Coach Webb provides a humorous counterpoint to the seriousness of the story.The characterization of Coach Webb provides a humorous counterpoint to the seriousness of the story.
C The characterization of Coach Webb provides a picture of the kind of team-first thinking that eventually wins the narrator the job.The characterization of Coach Webb provides a picture of the kind of team-first thinking that eventually wins the narrator the job.
D The characterization of Coach Webb does nothing to affect the rest of the story, as it is unrelated to the events that eventually occur.The characterization of Coach Webb does nothing to affect the rest of the story, as it is unrelated to the events that eventually occur.
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