The early morning sun was already shining brightly over Chicago as Lucas tied his sneakers, the laces pulled snug against his feet. He stood up, grabbed his basketball, and checked himself in the mirror one last time. His team shirt—an old, plain red tee to match his teammates—felt light and comfortable, and his shorts were loose enough to move freely. He slung his bag over his shoulder, making sure he had water and a spare towel.
When he stepped out of the apartment, the city was just starting to wake up. The sound of distant traffic mingled with the faint hum of music from a passing car. Lucas took a deep breath, the mix of summer heat and Chicago energy filling his lungs.
Jaylen and Miguel were waiting for him at the corner near the park, their matching red shirts making them easy to spot. Jaylen had his arms crossed, looking as calm as ever, while Miguel bounced a basketball impatiently.
"About time," Miguel said with a grin as Lucas approached.
"I'm not late," Lucas shot back, rolling his eyes.
"Relax, Miguel," Jaylen said, smirking. "We've got plenty of time. The event doesn't start until ten."
The three of them fell into step, their sneakers squeaking against the pavement as they headed toward the courts.
The tournament grounds were alive with activity. Ten courts stretched out before them, each one enclosed by chain-link fences. The courts weren't full-sized like in a regulation gym but smaller and more compact, perfect for the fast-paced 3-on-3 games that would take place. The setup reminded Lucas of the courts in NBA 2K's MyPark mode, with their vibrant energy and casual yet competitive vibe.
Three courts were marked for the U14 games, three for U16, and two each for U12 and U18. The boundaries were freshly painted, the rims gleaming as if they'd been polished just for the occasion. Around the courts, groups of players and spectators milled about, some stretching, others joking around.
Near the registration table, a DJ was already blasting upbeat music, hyping up the crowd as they prepared for the day's games. Vendors lined the edges of the park, selling water, sports drinks, and snacks. The air smelled faintly of hotdogs and fresh pretzels.
"Man, this place is packed," Jaylen said, glancing around.
Miguel nodded, spinning his ball on his finger. "Yeah, looks like everyone in the city's here. You think they're all as good as us?"
Lucas smirked, scanning the players nearby. "Guess we're about to find out."
They made their way to the registration table, where a middle-aged man in a black polo greeted them. "Team name?"
"Uh…" Lucas hesitated, realizing they hadn't thought about that.
"Red Hawks," Jaylen said, stepping in smoothly.
"Works for me," the man said, scribbling it down on his clipboard. "You're in the U14 bracket, right?"
"Yeah," Lucas replied.
"Great. You'll find the bracket posted on that board over there," the man said, pointing to a large corkboard near the DJ stand. "Games start at ten sharp. Be ready."
"Thanks," Lucas said, and the three of them moved off to check the bracket.
The U14 bracket was massive, taking up an entire section of the board. Each of the 24 teams was listed, and next to each name was a blank space where their opponents would be drawn.
"Red Hawks, huh?" Miguel said, grinning. "Not bad, Jaylen."
"Better than nothing," Jaylen said with a shrug.
As they scanned the board, Lucas noticed a few teams nearby, sizing each other up. Some groups were practicing dribbling drills, others running mock plays. One team stood out—a trio in sleek black shirts with the name "Windy City Kings" printed on the back.
"Those guys look serious," Lucas muttered, nodding toward them.
Miguel scoffed. "They don't scare me."
"They're tall," Jaylen pointed out. "That guy in the middle's gotta be at least 6'2"."
Lucas frowned but shook it off. "We're not playing them yet. Focus on what we can control."
He scanned the other teams, noting one with bright green shirts who looked quick on their feet and another in blue jerseys who were already shooting threes like their lives depended on it. The competition was no joke.
"Lot of talent out here," Lucas said, keeping his voice even.
"Yeah, but none of them have us," Miguel said confidently.
Jaylen chuckled. "Keep talking, Miguel. Just make sure you back it up on the court."
The three of them found an open section near the edge of the courts and started warming up. Jaylen worked on setting picks and rolling to the basket, while Lucas practiced his spot-up shots from beyond the arc. Miguel dribbled circles around them, occasionally throwing flashy passes that didn't quite land.
"Miguel," Lucas said, catching a pass that nearly sailed over his head. "Keep it simple. Flashy doesn't win games."
Miguel grinned sheepishly. "Got it."
The atmosphere around them grew more electric as the start time approached. Teams began gathering near their assigned courts, the energy buzzing with anticipation. Lucas felt his heartbeat quicken, a mix of excitement and nerves coursing through him.
By the time ten o'clock rolled around, the DJ's voice boomed through the speakers. "Alright, everyone! Welcome to the 3-on-3 Chicago Showdown! We've got teams from all over the city ready to battle it out on these courts. Who's ready for some action?"
The crowd roared in response, players and spectators alike feeding off the energy.
"The brackets are set, and the first round starts now. Teams, check the board for your matchups and head to your assigned courts. Let's keep it clean, keep it fun, and may the best teams win!"
Lucas, Jaylen, and Miguel hurried back to the board, scanning for their first opponent.
"Red Hawks versus… Street Knights," Lucas read aloud, pointing to their names on the bracket.
Miguel cracked his knuckles. "Sounds like a bad action movie. Let's take 'em out."
Jaylen chuckled, his expression calm but focused. "Let's just play our game."
Their court wasn't far, one of the three marked for U14 games. As they approached, they saw the Street Knights already waiting—a trio in gray shirts with confident smirks on their faces.
"They look cocky," Miguel muttered.
"Good," Lucas said, gripping his ball tighter. "Let's make them regret it."
As the referee approached to explain the rules, Lucas took a deep breath, centering himself. The court wasn't big, the kind of close-quarters battle that demanded precision and teamwork. They'd spent the last week preparing for this moment.