“Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and bend your knees more in the build-up to prepare yourself to jump. Most of the power for a three-point shot comes from extendingyour legs.”
Candice readied herself once again, focusing on the placement of her feet. The third shot rolledin and out.
“That was better. Now, when you come up, keep your arm locked at that 90-degree angle. It’s too flimsy right now. You need a strong arm to follow through with the shot.”
“Like this?” Candice took another shot, this time it rolled aroundand went in.
“Exactly, now keepdoing that.”
She managed 8 of 20, and they moved to the next spot. Megan fired 18 for 20.
“How did you get so good? You shoot the ballso freely.”
“Practice, I guess. I knew growing up that I didn’t have the height to be automatically considered, women who are six feet tall have a better chance of making it in the basketball world. I had to stand out in other ways, three-point shooting was one of them. My dad was a great three-point shooter, so he taught me a lot.”
Candice took Megan’s place once again. “I wish my dad had played basketball. I bet that was so much fungrowing up.”
“Like anything, it had its challenges, but it was nice to have someone who understood and could guide me. Although it was like your coach sitting around the dinner table, or coming on vacation with you. The sacrifice could be hard when your friends were out playing during the holidays and you’re running drill after drill.”
“But it paid off though, right?”
“When I play in the WNBA, then it will have paid off.”
“So, that’sthe dream?”
“Sure, isn’t it yours?”
Candice took her final shot. “It was, but after I got injured, I knew I would never return to that type of form again. I am just happy now to play the sport that I love professionally. I don’t care where I play.” Her next shot was nothing but net.
“Nice shot.” Megan grinned. “When did the injury happen?”
“My third year at college. I fracturedmy kneecap.”
Megan grimaced. “Surgery?”
“Yep, two of them. The recovery was rough, I thought I might notplay again.”
“How did you come backfrom that?”
“A lot of rehab. It was hard. I wanted to give up, but I thought about my life and what I wanted to achieve. Basketball was the only thing thatmade sense.”
“Well, I admire you for coming back from an injury like that. Do you think you’d ever go back to Philadelphia?”
“Maybe, my family lives there, so it gets a little lonely over here sometimes, but I have some good friendsaround me.”
“No girlfriend?” Megan asked, her focused gaze still firmly onthe basket.
“You’re assuming I’m gay?”
Megan jumped, launching the perfect three-pointer. The sound of the net swish brought her great pleasure.
“You’re not?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Well, then.” Megan laughed.
“Is it that obvious?”
