🏀 BasketballGrade 9Reading: grades 5-6Skip countingMulti-step word problemsBar modelsWord problemsTwo-step equations
The Championship Trophy Snatch
Just minutes before tipoff at the state championship, the gold trophy vanished from center court! A sneaky hoop bandit left only chalk marks and coded playbook notes behind. Coach Davis needs your math skills to eliminate suspects and catch the court culprit before the final buzzer!
Suspects
Possible suspects
Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.
21 of 21 still in play
| Name | Signature Move | Gear Accent | Dribble Style | Hairstyle | Distraction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sabrina Ionescu | alley oop dunk | padded headband | left handed dribble | braided cornrows | glaring arena spotlight |
| Kyrie Irving | crossover dribble | ankle braces | left handed dribble | braided cornrows | loud whistle blow |
| Trae Young | alley oop dunk | neon wristband | right handed dribble | high top fade | glaring arena spotlight |
| Breanna Stewart | crossover dribble | ankle braces | left handed dribble | high top fade | glaring arena spotlight |
| Kelsey Plum | sky hook shot | grip sleeve | right handed dribble | braided cornrows | glaring arena spotlight |
| Luka Doncic | alley oop dunk | padded headband | right handed dribble | braided cornrows | squeaky sneaker noise |
| Diana Taurasi | triple threat position | ankle braces | left handed dribble | buzz cut | glaring arena spotlight |
| Aja Wilson | triple threat position | neon wristband | right handed dribble | braided cornrows | glaring arena spotlight |
| Anthony Edwards | no look pass | glowing sneakers | right handed dribble | braided cornrows | glaring arena spotlight |
| Steph Curry | no look pass | glowing sneakers | right handed dribble | buzz cut | squeaky sneaker noise |
| Sue Bird | sky hook shot | glowing sneakers | left handed dribble | braided cornrows | squeaky sneaker noise |
| Maya Moore | triple threat position | neon wristband | left handed dribble | braided cornrows | squeaky sneaker noise |
| Devin Booker | crossover dribble | grip sleeve | right handed dribble | braided cornrows | glaring arena spotlight |
| Kevin Durant | sky hook shot | ankle braces | right handed dribble | braided cornrows | glaring arena spotlight |
| Jayson Tatum | crossover dribble | padded headband | right handed dribble | braided cornrows | squeaky sneaker noise |
| Ja Morant | triple threat position | glowing sneakers | right handed dribble | buzz cut | glaring arena spotlight |
| Shaquille ONeal | triple threat position | ankle braces | right handed dribble | braided cornrows | glaring arena spotlight |
| LeBron James | crossover dribble | neon wristband | left handed dribble | braided cornrows | squeaky sneaker noise |
| Kobe Bryant | crossover dribble | grip sleeve | right handed dribble | high top fade | glaring arena spotlight |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | triple threat position | ankle braces | left handed dribble | braided cornrows | squeaky sneaker noise |
| Jimmy Butler | no look pass | ankle braces | right handed dribble | buzz cut | squeaky sneaker noise |
Clue 1
Skip counting
The stadium scorekeeper tracked pattern drills on the electronic board to unlock locker room notes.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
14
30
6
20
80
20
45
6
50
T
14
36
9
6
20
21
9
T
14
33
6
70
60
70
16
60
39
45
20
27
6
6
15
6
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18T
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55P
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39W
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, ___, 40, 50H
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, ___, 18, 21V
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, ___, 80, 90A
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27N
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15O
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33L
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45I
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10E
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, ___, 25, 30S
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42D
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, ___, 70, 80R
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100U
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, ___, 60, 70C
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20G
0/17 letters found
Clue 2
Multi-step word problems
The equipment manager calculated jersey orders across multiple teams to trace the suspect's path.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Awitnesssawthevillainwas .
R
41
9
56
50
26
50
69
61
D
E
D
D
R
41
9
B
B
L
E
Coach collected 81 training cones in the morning and 1 training cones in the afternoon, then split them equally among 2 squad. How many training cones did each get?R
Coach collected 7 whistles in the morning and 243 whistles in the afternoon, then split them equally among 5 squad. How many whistles did each get?H
Coach earned 5 sweat towels in each of 5 rounds, plus 49 bonus sweat towels. Then 13 sweat towels were lost. How many sweat towels are left?N
There were 153 water bottles in all. 15 water bottles were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 2 squad. How many water bottles did each get?A
There were 85 sweat towels in all. 7 sweat towels were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 3 squad. How many sweat towels did each get?T
Coach filled 9 boxes with 3 water bottles each, then found 29 more water bottles. How many water bottles are there in all?G
Coach earned 4 sweat towels in each of 6 rounds, plus 0 bonus sweat towels. Then 15 sweat towels were lost. How many sweat towels are left?I
0/7 letters found
Clue 3
Bar model word problems
The head coach compared practice stats using visual bar diagrams drawn on the tactical whiteboard.
Draw a bar model to solve each word problem. Its answer reveals a letter — write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Someonescaredthevillainoffwith .
G
82
80
71
57
28
15
G
82
71
57
100
15
71
S
P
O
T
80
28
G
82
H
T
There were 116 training cones in all. 34 training cones were used. How many training cones are left?
draw a bar model
Answer:→G
Coach used 1/3 of the basketballs on the first day. The other 38 basketballs were used the next day. How many basketballs were there in all?
draw a bar model
Answer:→R
Coach has 84 sweat towels, packed 3 to a bag. How many bags can be filled?
draw a bar model
Answer:→I
Coach has 3 times as many training cones as a teammate. The teammate has 5 training cones. How many training cones does coach have?
draw a bar model
Answer:→N
Coach has 10 times as many training cones as a teammate. The teammate has 8 training cones. How many training cones does coach have?
draw a bar model
Answer:→L
Coach shares 200 training cones equally among 2 teams. How many training cones does each team get?
draw a bar model
Answer:→E
The red team has 79 whistles and the blue team has 8 whistles. How many more whistles does the red team have?
draw a bar model
Answer:→A
0/7 letters found
Clue 4
Word problems
The referee analyzed foul logs and court minutes to narrow down who was near the trophy case.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Astrandof hairturnedupatthescene.
B
117
31
96
78
106
64
106
79
O
31
N
31
O
W
S
Coach found 10 water bottles yesterday and 107 more today. How many water bottles in all?B
There were 123 sweat towels. 17 were used up. How many sweat towels are left?D
Coach found 19 sweat towels yesterday and 12 more today. How many sweat towels in all?R
Coach found 38 basketballs yesterday and 41 more today. How many basketballs in all?C
There were 119 whistles. 23 were used up. How many whistles are left?A
There were 69 training cones. 5 were used up. How many training cones are left?E
Coach found 50 whistles yesterday and 28 more today. How many whistles in all?I
0/7 letters found
Clue 5
Two-step equations — the last clue
The arena security chief solved total ticket sales equations to pinpoint the exact seat occupied.
First solve each problem. Then find each answer in the list below and cross that sentence out. One sentence will be left — that's exactly what the villain did!
Step 1 — solve these
9x + 11 = 20, x = ?
8x + 6 = 22, x = ?
3x + 4 = 22, x = ?
3x + 5 = 20, x = ?
2x + 3 = 9, x = ?
7x + 5 = 82, x = ?
2x + 8 = 26, x = ?
8x + 8 = 64, x = ?
5x + 4 = 54, x = ?
9x + 8 = 44, x = ?
2x + 9 = 33, x = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain dropped into a sharp triple threat position, then adjusted a neon wristband.
2.The villain sank a high sky hook shot, then strapped on ankle braces.
3.The villain faked everyone with a no look pass, then strapped on ankle braces.
4.The villain thundered down an alley oop dunk, then pulled on a grip sleeve.
5.The villain thundered down an alley oop dunk, then adjusted a neon wristband.
6.The villain dropped into a sharp triple threat position, then strapped on ankle braces.
7.The villain executed a slick crossover dribble, then laced up glowing sneakers.
8.The villain faked everyone with a no look pass, then laced up glowing sneakers.
9.The villain dropped into a sharp triple threat position, then snagged a padded headband.
10.The villain dropped into a sharp triple threat position, then laced up glowing sneakers.
11.The villain faked everyone with a no look pass, then snagged a padded headband.
12.The villain executed a slick crossover dribble, then snagged a padded headband.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Championship Trophy Snatch
Culprit: Anthony Edwards (no look pass · glowing sneakers · right handed dribble · braided cornrows · glaring arena spotlight)
- Clue 1 (Skip counting): "THE SUSPECT DOES NOT WEAR A GRIP SLEEVE"Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18 = 14 (T) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, ___, 50, 55 = 45 (P) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39 = 33 (W) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, ___, 40, 50 = 30 (H) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, ___, 18, 21 = 15 (V) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, ___, 80, 90 = 70 (A) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27 = 21 (N) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15 = 9 (O) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33 = 27 (L) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, ___, 42, 45 = 39 (I) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10 = 6 (E) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, ___, 25, 30 = 20 (S) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42 = 36 (D) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, ___, 70, 80 = 60 (R) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, ___, 90, 100 = 80 (U) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, ___, 60, 70 = 50 (C) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20 = 16 (G)
- Clue 2 (Multi-step word problems): "RIGHT HANDED DRIBBLE"Coach collected 81 training cones in the morning and 1 training cones in the afternoon, then split them equally among 2 squad. How many training cones did each get? = 41 (R) · Coach collected 7 whistles in the morning and 243 whistles in the afternoon, then split them equally among 5 squad. How many whistles did each get? = 50 (H) · Coach earned 5 sweat towels in each of 5 rounds, plus 49 bonus sweat towels. Then 13 sweat towels were lost. How many sweat towels are left? = 61 (N) · There were 153 water bottles in all. 15 water bottles were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 2 squad. How many water bottles did each get? = 69 (A) · There were 85 sweat towels in all. 7 sweat towels were set aside. The rest were shared equally among 3 squad. How many sweat towels did each get? = 26 (T) · Coach filled 9 boxes with 3 water bottles each, then found 29 more water bottles. How many water bottles are there in all? = 56 (G) · Coach earned 4 sweat towels in each of 6 rounds, plus 0 bonus sweat towels. Then 15 sweat towels were lost. How many sweat towels are left? = 9 (I)
- Clue 3 (Bar model word problems): "GLARING ARENA SPOTLIGHT"There were 116 training cones in all. 34 training cones were used. How many training cones are left? = 82 (G) · Coach used 1/3 of the basketballs on the first day. The other 38 basketballs were used the next day. How many basketballs were there in all? = 57 (R) · Coach has 84 sweat towels, packed 3 to a bag. How many bags can be filled? = 28 (I) · Coach has 3 times as many training cones as a teammate. The teammate has 5 training cones. How many training cones does coach have? = 15 (N) · Coach has 10 times as many training cones as a teammate. The teammate has 8 training cones. How many training cones does coach have? = 80 (L) · Coach shares 200 training cones equally among 2 teams. How many training cones does each team get? = 100 (E) · The red team has 79 whistles and the blue team has 8 whistles. How many more whistles does the red team have? = 71 (A)
- Clue 4 (Word problems): "BRAIDED CORNROWS"Coach found 10 water bottles yesterday and 107 more today. How many water bottles in all? = 117 (B) · There were 123 sweat towels. 17 were used up. How many sweat towels are left? = 106 (D) · Coach found 19 sweat towels yesterday and 12 more today. How many sweat towels in all? = 31 (R) · Coach found 38 basketballs yesterday and 41 more today. How many basketballs in all? = 79 (C) · There were 119 whistles. 23 were used up. How many whistles are left? = 96 (A) · There were 69 training cones. 5 were used up. How many training cones are left? = 64 (E) · Coach found 50 whistles yesterday and 28 more today. How many whistles in all? = 78 (I)
- Clue 5 (Two-step equations): surviving statement (box 8) → Anthony Edwards9x + 11 = 20, x = 1 · 8x + 6 = 22, x = 2 · 3x + 4 = 22, x = 6 · 3x + 5 = 20, x = 5 · 2x + 3 = 9, x = 3 · 7x + 5 = 82, x = 11 · 2x + 8 = 26, x = 9 · 8x + 8 = 64, x = 7 · 5x + 4 = 54, x = 10 · 9x + 8 = 44, x = 4 · 2x + 9 = 33, x = 12
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 9 math
- Math topics
- Skip counting, Multi-step word problems, Bar models, Word problems, Two-step equations
- Reading level
- grades 5-6
- Theme
- The Championship Trophy Snatch — set in The Grand Arena Basketball Center
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects