A group of senior high school students are playing outside on a basketball court. They are shouting with excitement. And they all have the same dream. They wish to play in the NBA, just like Huston Rocket's Yao Ming. "Someday, there will be more Chinese players like Yao in the NBA," said 15-year-old Xie Tao, a senior 1 boy at Shanghai No. 2 Middle School. Xie always watches Yao playing on TV. "He is a great player. He makes me proud to be Chinese," he said. 

Like Xie, 17-year-old Liu Yan at Beijing No. 22 Middle School is also a big NBA fan. "Since early May, I've not missed one game in the NBA," said the senior 3 student. 

Basketball is becoming popular in middle schools across the country. And more young players are starting to like the sport. More students are playing the game. 

Jiang Hui, a basketball teacher at Beijing No. 2 Middle School, said that 85 percent of the students at this school like the sport. "Students are full of passion for the game," Jiang's team won the regional first prize in the 2004 National High School Boy's Basketball League in march. The league is the first national basketball competition for high school students. 

Playing basketball is a good way to exercise. But students also enjoy it for other reasons. For Li Yan, a Senior 2 at Shanghai No. 12 Middle School, basketball teaches him lessons in life. "When I am in a game, I feel more confident about my studies, " he said. " It also teaches me to have a good team spirit and to enjoy friendship."
what does the game teach them?
what does it teach Li?
how old is Xie?
how old is Liu?
who is Xie proud to be?
who's his favorite player?
Has Liu missed any games?
what is the name of the teacher?
what does he say about his players?
How many students enjoy it?
have they ever won?
when?
what?
is the game well liked?
by who?
what was the name of the tournament?
what was special about it?
does it help with their studies?
where does Jiang coach?
who does Yao Ming play for?
lessons in life
basketball teaches him lessons in life
to have a good team spirit and to enjoy friendship
to have a good team spirit and to enjoy friendship
17
17
17
17
Chinese
Chinese
Yao Ming
Yao Ming
Not since early May
Since early May
Jiang Hui
Jiang Hui
Students are full of passion for the game
Students are full of passion for the game
85 percent
85 percent
yes
Jiang's team won the regional first prize in the 2004 National High School Boy's Basketball League in march
March 2004
2004 National High School Boy's Basketball League in march
regional first prize
regional first prize
yes
Basketball is becoming popular in middle schools across the country
high school & middle school students
high school students
2004 National High School Boy's Basketball League
2004 National High School Boy's Basketball League
first national basketball competition for high school students
 first national basketball competition for high school students
yes
"When I am in a game, I feel more confident about my studies, " he said
Beijing No. 2 Middle School
Beijing No. 2 Middle School
Houston Rockets
Huston Rocket's