Jordan had his eye on a scoring record. Jordan took a deep breath as he stood in the doorway, looking in at the basketball court. Maybe today I'll make history, he thought.
The city's youth basketball league was holding a celebration. Today's championship game marked 50 years since the league's first title game (冠军争夺赛).
Before the game, Jordan looked over a special program. It listed the winners of each championship game and the top scorers.
Jordan stopped when he read the name of the top scorer from a game 30 years before. "Devin, look!" he said to his friend, "You see who has the all-time record? My dad! Twenty-four points. But he never told me that."
"Twenty-four points," Devin said. "That's great."
Jordan's best was 19 points. He was the league's top scorer.
When his parents showed up at the gym, Jordan brought the program over to them.
His dad laughed. "I had quite a game that day," he said. "But look at the score. I prefer to trade all my points for a win."
Jordan hadn't noticed that his dad's team had lost by one point.
"That was great group of teammates," Dad said. "I'm still friends with a lot of them."
As game time came near, Jordan slapped hands with his teammate Tara and then started to warm up. The courts filled up quickly.
Jordan felt strangely calm. He'd played so many games in this gym that it was like his own home. Jordan had led his team to a victory over the Lions last season. Why shouldn't today be like that?
Jordan grew even more confident when he hit the first 2 shots (投篮).
The Lions called a break. Jordan ran to the bench and jumped up and down with excitement.
"Great start,"Coach said. "But those guys are tough. They'll come back on us."
He was right. By half time, the Lions had pulled ahead, 27-24.
Jordan looked up at his parents. His dad nodded and called, "Great work!"
But Jordan didn't feel quite as confident as he had before.
The teams traded baskets throughout the second half, with neither building a lead.
Eleven seconds left. The scoreboard was clear: LIONS 51. BADGERS 51.
Coach told Jordan to bring the ball up the court. "Look for Devin inside, but take the shot if you're open," he said.
Jordan glanced at his dad again. His dad pointed to Jordan, then held up two fingers on one hand and three fingers on the other.
"Me?" Jordan mouthed.
Dad nodded. Jordan had scored 23 points. Another basket would break the record. And it was the right time to do it!
Jordan ran right, then left, but he was still a long way from the basket.
The viewers started counting the seconds. "Four... three... two."
Jordan rose to shoot. As the Lions rushed toward him, he passed the ball to Devin—wide open near the basket.
Devin turned and shot. The ball fell cleanly through the net for the winning points.
"Yes!" Jordan shouted. After celebrating with his team, he ran to hug his parents. "You still have the record," he told his dad.
Dad smiled. "You have something more important. A championship. And great teammates. Congratulations on your history!"
a. Jordan ran to hug his parents after the celebration.
b. Jordan's parents showed up at the gym.
c. Jordan looked over a special program.
d. Dad pointed to Jordan and held up his fingers.
e. Jordan started to warm up for the game.
