Authors often include multiple themes in their writing. One theme expressed in this passage is A.
honesty is always important, even among friends.
B.
athletes are people who will do anything to win.
C.
even close friends grow apart as they get older.
D.
it is better to keep silent than to offend a teammate.

"Come on, guys!" yelled Antwone to his teammates on the North Vale High Wheelchair Basketball Team. "We have to win this game, or we won't get to play in the state championship game."
"Calm down, Antwone," Jefir remarked as he wheeled past. "Having fun and being a good sport are more important than winning, just like Coach Riggins always says."
"I'll start having fun when we beat these guys," muttered Antwone under his breath. He glared at the members of the opposing team, but they just smiled and waved. The referee blew his whistle and the game officially began. Coach Riggins rolled his wheelchair up and down the side of the court and yelled encouragement to his players.
"These players are a lot better than we are," Jefir commented to his friends during a timeout. "I don't think we stand a chance of beating them."
"We can still play our best," said Dmitry. "I want to end the season on a high note."
"Our best isn't good enough if it doesn't get us to state," Antwone said. "Winning is the only thing that matters today." The other players rolled their eyes at his dramatic words. They were used to his competitive nature, and they tried to model good sportsmanship for him.
The clock was running out and the Yendel Flats team was winning. I guess I'll have to do everything myself, thought Antwone. When Jefir passed the ball to him, he checked to make sure the referee was distracted and rolled four times across the court to make the winning shot. He knew that rolling more than twice with the ball was against the rules, but he was consumed with the thought of winning the state championship trophy.
"We saw what you did, Antwone, even if the referee didn't," said Jefir as he stopped his wheelchair in front of his teammate. "Traveling is against the rules, and you know that."
"You are going to have to tell the coach," Dmitry told Antwone. "It is not right for us to win by cheating."
"Why can't we just let it go this one time, guys?" pleaded Antwone.
"Because this team is built on integrity," Jefir told him firmly. "You are our friend, and we don't want you to lie and cheat to get what you want. Dmitry and I will go with you to talk with the coach. Our team sticks together no matter what."