The gym was quiet, the only sounds coming from Kendrick's sneakers squeaking on the polished floor and the rhythmic bounce of the ball. Coach Hardy and Paul Grant watched from the sidelines as Kendrick went through drills, his every move scrutinized.
"Let's see that jumper," Coach Hardy called out.
Kendrick squared up and took the shot. The ball swished cleanly through the net.
"Not bad," the coach said, his tone neutral. "Keep going."
Kendrick moved through the drills with precision, pushing himself to perform at his best. His heart raced, but he focused on the fundamentals—footwork, form, follow-through. Every shot, every pass, every dribble felt like a test.
After 30 minutes, Coach Hardy called for a break. Kendrick grabbed a water bottle and leaned against the wall, catching his breath.
"You've got good instincts," Coach Hardy said as he approached. "But instincts only get you so far. How do you handle pressure?"
Kendrick straightened. "I thrive under pressure, Coach. It's where I do my best work."
The coach raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Let's find out."
He signaled to a group of players who had been waiting on the sidelines. "Pick-up game. Rivers, you're running point."
Kendrick's heart skipped a beat. This was the real test.
The game started fast, the pace relentless. Kendrick quickly realized these players were on a different level—bigger, stronger, smarter. But he didn't back down. He called plays, distributed the ball, and took his shots when he saw openings.
Midway through the game, Kendrick drove to the basket, only to be met by a towering defender. He pivoted, faking a shot before passing to an open teammate who nailed a three-pointer.
"Nice vision," Coach Hardy called out. "Keep it up!"
The game was physical, the players aggressive, but Kendrick stayed calm. He scored a couple of key baskets and made defensive stops that kept his team in the lead. When the game ended, Kendrick's team had won by a narrow margin.
As he walked off the court, drenched in sweat, Coach Hardy nodded. "Not bad, Rivers. Not bad at all."
Paul Grant grinned. "I'd say you passed the test."