I (11) the first day f saw her playing basketball. I watched in wonder as she ran circles around the other kids. She (12) to

I remember the first day I saw her playing basketball. I watched in wonder as she ran circles around the other kids. She managed to shoot jump shots just over their heads and into the net. The boys always tried to stop her but no one could.
   I began to notice her at other times, basketball in hand, playing alone. One day I asked her why she practiced so much. She looked directly in my eyes and without a moment of hesitation she said, "I want to go to college. The only way I can go is if I get a scholarship. I like basketball. I decided that if I were good enough, I would get a scholarship. I am going to play college basket- ball. I want to be the best. My Daddy told me if the dream is big enough, the facts don’t count." Then she smiled and continued to play basketball.