4Cade's+Tales+of+Utopia

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__**MY MINI SAGA**__

The Great Falls Mavericks were in the middle of their evening practice. They were running through their offense and out-of-bounds plays, when they heard laughter coming from the doorway. Everyone looked up, only to see their cross-town rival team, the Great Falls Heat, step into the gym.

=**__ Dream Team __**= =** By: **= = Cade Habel = = = = =

= = = = = =
 * __Chapter 1__**
 * The Mavericks**

"Come on, ladies, you can make a better pass than that! We have a tournament in two days! Step it up!" Coach Geoffry Habel was getting his traveling basketball team, the Great Falls Mavericks, ready for an upcoming tournament in their hometown. The team was expected to do very well, as they had taken Second Place in their very first tournament. Coach Habel's son, Cade had wanted him to put together a team, so they got together some of Cade's friends along with a couple of players selected by Geoff. The result was a never-before-seen traveling team with a lot of promise. All of the kids had played basketball before, but on both sides of town. They were all good friends, but the traveling team was their only chance to play together. There were two middle schools in Great Falls, East and North. Only three players were from East. The team was loaded with individual talent. Cade Habel was the team's point guard and also played both forward positions. Michael Irwin was a pretty tall kid for his age, standing 5'10". Needless to say, he played Center most of the time. Lane Jensen, also a forward. Lane was a good outside shooter. Bryce Brinkman was another pretty tall kid who could power it up in the paint. Xavier Pace, a very good point guard with incredible ball handling skills. Last, but most certainly not least, was Jerelle Big Hair. Yet another tall post player, with EXTREMELY long hair. Altogether, the team played well together and was a local favorite to watch. As coach Habel concluded practice with the usual motivational speech and team break, it was noticed that laughter could be heard from the doorway. The entire team looked up to see none other than their cross-town rivals, the Great Falls Heat.

**__Chapter 2__**

 * Road to Dominance**

Those two days had come and gone. It was tournament day once again. Three easy games today for the Mavericks. The first game was against Iron Horse, from Missoula, Montana. The Mavs had beaten them in their first tournament. Next was the Bozeman Bullets. They would be tougher than Iron Horse, but they were definitely beatable. Last were the Belt Huskies. They would offer very little competition. As the referee approached center-court for tip-off, Michael and a kid barely half his size stepped into the circle. All of the Mavericks let out a little burst of laughter. The little kid just glared back at them, annoyed. Just then, the ball left the ref's hand and soared into the air. Game time.

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Fresh off of their first victory, the whole team went to check the tournament brackets. It read:

__**Tournament Bracket**__


 * Game 1: Mavericks vs. Iron Horse Final Score: Mavericks 64 Iron Horse 49**


 * Game 2: Bullets vs. Huskies Final Score: Bullets 37 Huskies 13**


 * Game 3: Bullets vs. Mavericks**


 * Game 4: Iron Horse vs. Huskies**


 * Game 5: Bullets vs. Iron Horse**


 * Game 6: Mavericks vs. Huskies**


 * Championship: TBD**

Just then, an announcement came over the speakers. "Mavericks and Bullets to court three please, Mavericks and Bullets. Thank you." The entire team was scrambling to get to the court before the Bullets. Michael slammed into the bleachers because Jerelle pushed him, Lane had ended up face-first in a dumpster when Xavier tripped and bumped into him, and Cade and Bryce were arguing about who would get which seat on the bench. It was total chaos.But all that goofing around came to an abrupt halt when tip-off came once again. This game was much like the first, with the Mavericks immediately seizing control on offense and being impenetrable on defense. Final score: Mavs 75 Bullets 52. Chalk one up for the Mavs. Only one game left, the Huskies. Same old story, but ten times worse. Final score: Mavs 89 Huskies 17. So, in the championship round, it was determined that it would be the Mavericks vs. the Bullets. But now, the Bullets have the desire for payback.

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Despite the Bullets' best effort, the most they could do was make it close. Sort of. It was a very back-and-forth game, but the Mavericks prevailed 54-41. Now the team had exactly a week of down time, before they met their match. Who would be waiting for them? None other than the Heat.

**__Chapter 3__**

 * The Showdown**

That week flew by, the entire team waiting in anticipation. The cause of their worry, was that Coach Habel had just broken the news to them that this was a single-elimination tournament. And their first game was the Heat. The team had been practicing every day that week, trying to prepare for the game. The Heat were, after all, the best of the best. It was really starting to get to the team. Lane had nightmares, and Xavier had started chewing his nails. This was going to be a game for the ages.

.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

This was it. Game day. Not only their record relied on this, but so did their reputation. With quick guards, outside shooters, and a massive post player, The Heat were the favorite. But have no doubt that the Mavericks were going to do everything in their power to give them a run for their money. The Heat won the tip-off, and immediately demonstrated their abilities. Within the first half, they had a fifteen point lead over the Mavs. This was going to be a long game. What was once a nightmare for the Mavs had now become a reality. The Heat were simply too skilled to defeat. With an embarrassing final score of 78-52, the Mavericks had suffered their first major loss. And they would definitely never forget it.

__Chapter 4__

 * Ready for Redemption**

A month had passed since their loss to the Heat, but the memory was as vivid as it had been that day. The team was more determined than ever, eager for a shot at redemption. One afternoon, Coach Habel called the team together, saying there was an important message that had to be shared. When everyone had arrived, Xavier stepped forward and said, "I've had a lot of fun on this team. You guys are some of my best friends. But I have received an offer to play with the Heat..." at this there were several protests from the team, " and I have told them yes. I hope you guys have lots of success. See you on the court." With this, Xavier left. He wouldn' t be seen again until the rematch. Coach Habel then began speaking. "Yes, we have lost a great player, but your faith must be unfaltering. If you believe in me, and have confidence in you teammates, we will emerge champions. So who wants to put the Heat in their place?!" The team erupted with cheers, hoots and hollers, then the chanting of, "Mavericks! Mavericks! Mavericks!" They were ready for payback.

__**Chapter 5**__

 * Fall of the King**

//Thump thump. Thump thump.// Was that the referee dribbling the ball, or the hearts of every player on the team? Definitely hearts. The Mavericks were peeking over at the Heat during warm-ups, secretly hoping that this game wouldn't end the same way. Sure enough, there was Xavier, looking happy as ever in his red heat jersey. Then came the buzzer signaling that it was time for tip-off. No, this wouldn't end the same way. The King would surely fall. The Heat got the tip-off and grabbed the early lead, but the Mavs answered with a 3-pointer, courtesy of Lane. This was turning out to be a closer game than anyone, even the players, had expected it to be.

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At the start of the third quarter, the Heat had a very small lead, 32-30. The game continued to be like a ping-pong game, back and forth, back and forth. With only five players, the game was taking its toll on the Mavericks. On the other hand, the Heat were like a very well-oiled machine, never letting up. as it came down to the last 30 seconds of the game, it was all tied up, 63-63. Cade tried holding the ball and forcing the game into overtime, but the ball was stolen. The Heat's coach was telling them to hold the ball, which they did... for a while. With 2.7 seconds left, the Heat scored, putting them up by two. The Mavericks had no choice. Lane launched the ball in-bounds to Cade, then Cade let it fly. It seemed like hours that it was in the air, but it only lasted a few seconds. 2.6 to be exact. The ball kept spinning, moving forward, until..................//SWISH.// Right through the middle. The crowd roared, chanting "Mavericks". To the Mavericks, it all felt like a dream. It was almost to real to believe... wait a minute...

__**Chapter 6**__

 * What?!?!**

Cade Habel shot up out of bed and ran into the dining room, where his dad was eating breakfast. Geoff looked up from his paper, "Hey bud, hope you're rested up for your second tournament today!" Wow. How could this be?


 * THE END**

DeanGroom Activity #2

The little shepherd had just lain down underneath a peach tree when a herd of cattle, who had been grazing in the neighboring field came up to him, stood beside him, and stared at him as if they had never seen another human. The shepherd plucked a ripe peach off of the tree offered it to the nearest cow, a Roan bull. The bull made a strange snorting whinny, and promptly took off into the distance. The herd followed suit. The shepherd did not see what would cause the cattle to act this way. As he was pondering the idea, he took a bite of the peach. He then became extremely dizzy and his stomach started churning. The peach left his hand, his body limp. The cows had been on to something. Just then the boy's father had come to check on his child, only to find his son lying under the tree, unconscious.

MIDDLE _ BEGINNING _ END Work Sheet


 * The Great Falls Mavericks are a traveling basketball team with a lot of promise. They have had a lot of success lately and aim to become the best of the best in Montana. || *  Geoff Habel (coach), Cade Habel, Michael Irwin, Xavier Pace, Lane Jensen, Bryce Brinkman, Jerelle Big Hair (players)


 * They want to become the best traveling team in competition


 * Tournaments throughout Montana ||
 * As the team gets its first couple tournament wins, their rival team, the Great Falls Heat, steps into the picture. The Mavericks suffer a devastating loss to the Heat and decide to take a month off from tournaments to spend practicing and hopefully to help get the team back on their feet. || * A very deep team relationship will be built and plays a key role in the team's success


 * The Mavericks can't remain consistent in tournaments, and midway through the season, Xavier leaves the team to join the Heat


 * Describing the game in which the Heat defeat the Mavs ||
 * After the month of recovery,the Mavericks sign up for a tournament in their home town. But the Heat have also registered. Both teams go undefeated throughout the Round Robin, Quarterfinals and Semifinals, but when it comes to the Championship, its anybody's guess as to who will emerge victorious. With the pressure of their home town reputation on their shoulders, the Mavericks pull through, beating the Heat 64-59. || * The end is predictable, but it still is a good story of hard work and triumph


 * I have showed the readers that the Mavericks have worked hard enough to emerge as Champions ||