Bouncing on the Blacktop

I pushed through the screen door and jogged straight out to the driveway with my basketball tucked under my arm. After gaming all morning inside, my hands were totally itching for some real action! I gave the textured orange rubber a solid dribble against the rough concrete—thump, thump, thump, crisp and perfectly timed. Lining up my feet just behind the chalk foul line, I bent my knees, pushed up with both hands, and watched the ball arc clean through the white net with a glorious little swish. It bounced right back to my sneakers, ready for the next shot.