Owen and his friends are annoyed to learn their new basketball coach wants them to try out for the team, because the boys were on the team last year and don’t think they should have to try out. When they bring it up with Coach Baxter, the man dismisses their arguments because he’ll choose his team the way he wants and “nobody gets a jersey just because they played last year” (4).

In the hall, the coach flags down Owen’s twin brother, Russell, who is several inches taller than Owen. The coach wants him to try out for the basketball team because of his height. Before Russell can object, the coach leaves. Owen offers to practice with Russell over the weekend, both to help his brother and to minimize how embarrassed Owen will be when Russell botches tryouts.

One of Russell’s teammates in Masters of the Mind (an academic school club) moved away, and his team is anxious about finding someone to replace him for the upcoming competition. Russell tells his friends about the coach making him try out for the basketball team.