The Golden Age of Basketball

Chapter 30 Franklin
After training that day, Berman asked the players to stay behind for a meeting.

He explained the situation to everyone, stating that he had to play a warm-up match against a designated opponent and win before he could officially join the CIF San Francisco League.

"That's not fair."

"Those CIF swindlers, we beat them so well."

Why do we still need to fight?

Who is our opponent?

Everyone started talking at once, some complaining, some asking questions.

After everyone quieted down a bit, Bellman said, "Director Liu told me that the designated opponent is Fremont High School in Oakland."

As soon as the words were spoken, the group fell silent. No one spoke, and a few people showed signs of tension.

The training hall suddenly fell into a terrible silence, making even the sunlight that slanted into the YMCA gymnasium at around 5 p.m. feel somewhat cold.

Gan Guoyang broke the silence, saying, "Although this is very unfair, there's nothing we can do but win the game."

Big Bear Wu Zhixiong said, "But why did our opponent choose Fremont? Oakland schools, is that intentional? Are we supposed to compete there?"

Berman nodded, indicating that it was an away game and they were going to Tiger Stadium in Fremont.

“I’ve heard that people die at Fremont High School every year.”

"It happens every semester, and he often dies on the basketball court."

“There was one last year, he got into an argument while playing ball and was shot dead.”

Everyone started talking at once again. Gan Guoyang was whispering with Chen Xing, trying to learn about Fremont High School from him.

Berman interrupted the discussion, saying, "I know this game won't be easy, and I know there's a certain amount of danger involved. I've heard that the white high schools in Oakland don't dare to beat Fremont, especially at Tiger Stadium. If they win, they might not be able to leave. So, if any of you are afraid to play this game, you can ask for leave or quit the team. I won't blame you."

The stadium fell silent again; no one spoke, and no one stepped forward to say they wanted to quit.

Berman thought that perhaps he was embarrassed in front of everyone, so he said, "How about this, those who decide to stay with the team and participate in the game can leave first. Those who have other ideas can stay and talk to me privately. Or, you can come to me privately at another time."

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and they all ran to the locker room to change their clothes, grabbing their bags and preparing to leave the stadium.

Only Gan Guoyang and Xu Xun stayed behind for extra training, as usual.

Gan Guoyang said, "I stayed to train more, not to quit."

Xu Xun: "Me too."

And what about the rest? No one wants to quit?
Bellman shouted from the doorway, "Nobody wants to quit? Are you sure nobody wants to quit?"

The team initially had 11 players, but two of them dropped out after the first training session, so the team has remained at 9 players ever since.

Bellman is prepared to lose two more players this time; with seven players, he can still put together a rotation.

Surprisingly, no one wanted to quit. Everyone left through the door laughing and joking, some going home, others going out to play.

Bellman waited a while longer at the entrance of the gymnasium to see if anyone turned around, since there had been a lot of people there earlier, and he was probably afraid of being seen by his classmates.

At this moment, Gan Guohui ran back. Berman thought he was going to quit, but to his surprise, he rushed into the locker room.

"What are you doing back?"

"Oh, I forgot my things!"

"Fuck, I thought you were going to quit."

"Huh? I won't quit. Nobody quits. Mr. Bellman, we may be novices, but we're not cowards."

After saying that, Gan Guohui ran off in a flash.

As Bellman watched Gan Guohui's departing figure, he felt inexplicably moved.

Among the nine players on the team, Gan Guohui, the fat guy, is probably the worst.

His running, jumping, physical fitness, technique, and awareness are all subpar from a professional standpoint, even poor. The only redeeming quality he possesses is a decent shooting ability and the ability to box out for positions in the paint due to his larger build, but that's about it.

They all share the same surname, Gan, and have the same bloodline, yet the difference between them is so vast.

He never gets a chance to play; he's always on the bench, a cheerleader.

The team's training intensity has been increasing recently, and Berman is making things more difficult for everyone.

Gan Guohui vomited several times during training, as he had no prior professional sports training and was clearly struggling to keep up with the pace.

Even so, Gan Guohui always gave his all in every training session, never being late or leaving early.

His persistence and optimism gave Behrman a deeper and newer understanding of these teenagers.

Without a doubt, Gan Guoyang played a significant role as a team leader.

He is the source of everyone's confidence; with him around, everyone has the confidence to win the game.

That's why Berman really wants the team to win this game.

Over the weekend, he made a phone call and arranged to meet with Mr. Cap Raven to learn more about Fremont High School.

Kap LaVine is very familiar with the basketball scene in the Bay Area, and he was shocked when he learned of the San Francisco league's decision.

"This is definitely a form of suppression. The performance of Beiqiao High School is absolutely worthy of entering the San Francisco League. They are already the news team in San Francisco."

"And why not find a middle venue to play in, instead of going to Fremont's home court? Going to Oakland, Fremont is a very strong team, they have players who can play in the NBA."

"Who?"

"Henry Turner. A sophomore, 6'6", forward, one of Oakland's top forwards. The other young guys are also very talented. They all grew up on the streets of Oakland, and they all play a tough style of football. They're definitely not easy to deal with."

Kap-Lavin expressed concern about the fate of the North Coast Waterbell team, pointing out that the team still has significant shortcomings in its roster.

“You guys have too little talent, only Gan stands out from the crowd. Your strategy is fine, but it’s only good against average teams. Against Fremont, it will be very difficult for you, especially away from home.”

“I think so too. I started applying to the school in August, hoping to bring in another talented forward. But so far I haven’t found one. There are very few Chinese players who can play in San Francisco. They say that Asian players are concentrated in Los Angeles.”

"Does it have to be a player of Chinese descent? Can players of other skin colors be used?"

"Of course, Beiqiao Middle School is not an exclusively Chinese school; they also have Black students. But there are no white students."

Cap LaVine pondered for a moment, then said, "Bobby, you know, if a talented player transfers schools mid-term, it often means he has some other issues."

Bellman shrugged and said, "I know that many talented problem students are kicked around from one school to another, wasting their talents."

“That’s right. I know a kid who’s a senior in high school this year. He’s already changed schools three times. He’s a troublemaker. If Beiqiao Middle School is willing to take him in, maybe he can help you.”

"Introduce him to me, and I can give it a try. Basketball is the top priority at Beiqiao Middle School right now."

And so, Cap LaVine introduced Bickel Franklin to Bellman, who drove to Hunters Point in West San Francisco the next morning and met Franklin at a dilapidated street court in one of the most terrifying and dangerous slums in the entire Bay Area—he soared up and dunked over his opponent.

Bellman's appearance aroused the vigilance of the entire block, and when he explained his purpose to Franklin, Franklin showed a strange expression.

"Beiqiao Middle School? A Chinese school? Are you kidding me?"

The boy with the afro and wearing a ripped brown T-shirt had an arrogant and indifferent expression on his face.

After saying that, he turned around and went back to the court to continue playing one-on-one bullfighting with people—a game with a one-dollar bet.

"We will provide you with scholarships, a pathway to college in the future, and... you will become the team's number two player, working with Gan to defeat the opponents."

The first two conditions were expected, but the third one really provoked Franklin. He threw down the ball, pointed at Berman, and said, "I'll only be the absolute core of the team, not some damn second-in-command! Gan? What an idiot, that Chinese guy? Bullshit!"

"Let me meet your mother; I'd like to speak with her. Also, if you're still not satisfied, I can take you to have a go at Gan's place. Why not give it a try? You must have heard of him recently. If possible, how about I treat you to lunch? Are there any good restaurants around here, your favorite?"

Franklin hesitated for a moment, then said the name of a restaurant and got into Bellman's car.

(End of this chapter)