The referee's whistle echoed sharply across the court, signaling the start of the championship game. The crowd grew quieter, their chatter fading into murmurs of anticipation. On the blacktop, Jaylen crouched slightly in the center circle, his eyes locked on the Windy City Kings' towering big man. At 6'2", the Kings' big man had been dominating opponents all tournament, but Jaylen didn't flinch. His jaw was set, his hands ready.
"Stay sharp," Lucas called out, his voice carrying over the tension. He positioned himself just beyond the arc, his body coiled and ready to spring into action. Miguel, standing near the wing, bounced lightly on his feet, exuding his usual mix of confidence and swagger.
Jaylen gave Lucas a quick nod. "I've got this."
The ball soared into the air as the referee tossed it high. Both players leaped, their arms outstretched, fingertips brushing the ball. The Kings' big man tipped it backward to his guard, who caught it cleanly and immediately pushed the pace.
"Set up!" Lucas shouted, retreating into defensive position as the Kings' guard sprinted across half-court.
The Kings wasted no time. Their guard dribbled confidently toward the top of the key, surveying the Red Hawks' defense. Jaylen pointed to the right.
"Screen coming!" Jaylen yelled, alerting Lucas.
The guard used the screen, cutting sharply to the left. Lucas fought through it, staying on his hip, but the guard's quick burst of speed gave him just enough separation. He drove hard into the lane, pulling up just outside the free-throw line.
Jaylen stepped up to contest, his long arms outstretched, but the guard floated the ball perfectly over him. The shot bounced softly off the backboard and dropped in.
"2-0, Kings!" the DJ's voice boomed from the speakers, the crowd erupting in cheers.
Jaylen muttered under his breath as he jogged back. "I'll get him next time."
Lucas nodded, clapping him on the back. "Shake it off. Let's get it back."
On their first possession, Lucas brought the ball up, moving deliberately as he scanned the Kings' defense. Their guards stuck close to Miguel on the wing, and the Kings' big man anchored the paint, his presence looming like a shadow.
"Jaylen, screen!" Lucas called, signaling for a pick-and-roll.
Jaylen set a solid screen at the top of the arc, giving Lucas just enough space to slip past his defender. As the Kings' big man stepped up to contest, Lucas faked a floater and zipped a quick bounce pass to Jaylen, who had rolled to the basket.
Jaylen caught the ball in stride, rose up strong, and laid it in off the glass.
"Nice look!" Jaylen said, slapping Lucas's hand as they jogged back on defense.
"2-1," the DJ called out, the Red Hawks' fans cheering loudly.
The Kings struck back immediately. Their sharpshooter, a wiry kid with a quick release, curled off a screen near the elbow. Miguel tried to chase him, but the sharpshooter caught the ball and launched a smooth jumper before Miguel could close the gap.
Swish.
"4-1, Kings!"
Miguel groaned as he grabbed the ball for the inbound. "Man, that kid doesn't hesitate."
Lucas gave him a reassuring nod. "We'll make him work for the next one."
The Red Hawks slowed things down on their next possession. Lucas passed to Miguel on the wing, who immediately attacked, using a sharp crossover to get a step on his defender. Miguel drove hard into the lane, drawing the Kings' big man toward him.
"Kick it out!" Lucas shouted, moving into open space beyond the arc.
Miguel spun and fired a quick pass to Lucas, who caught it in rhythm and launched a two-pointer.
The ball arced high and snapped through the net.
"4-3!" the DJ called, the crowd buzzing with excitement.
The game settled into a rhythm, with both teams trading buckets. The Kings' big man continued to dominate the boards, muscling his way to a tough putback after one of his teammates missed a contested jumper. On the other end, Miguel answered with a slick drive to the basket, weaving through defenders to finish with a high floater off the glass.
"6-4, Kings!"
Lucas wiped sweat from his brow as the Red Hawks regrouped for their next possession. The pace of the game was relentless, and the Kings' size advantage was already proving to be a challenge.
Jaylen inbounded the ball to Lucas, who quickly passed to Miguel on the wing. Miguel jab-stepped, freezing his defender momentarily, then drove hard to the basket.
"Watch the kick-out!" Lucas called, anticipating the Kings' defense collapsing.
Miguel drew two defenders before dishing it back to Jaylen, who had slipped into the paint. Jaylen rose for the shot, but the Kings' big man swatted it away with authority.
"Not in here!" the big man barked, his voice booming as the ball sailed out of bounds.
The crowd erupted in excitement, and Lucas felt a flicker of frustration.
"Shake it off," he said, clapping Jaylen on the back. "Next one's ours."
The Red Hawks kept grinding. Jaylen redeemed himself on the next possession, grabbing an offensive rebound and putting it back for two. Miguel hit another layup off a slick drive, cutting the Kings' lead to two.
But the Kings kept answering. Their sharpshooter drained another two-pointer from the corner, and their big man added another putback, using his size and soft hands to control the paint.
"10-6, Kings!" the DJ announced as the ball bounced out of bounds for a brief stoppage.
As Lucas stepped toward the sideline for the inbound, he caught sight of his dad in the crowd. Steven was leaning forward in his seat, his tie completely off now as he clapped and cheered. Nearby, two men in their 40s were chatting animatedly.
"That Kings big guy's got great instincts," one said. "He doesn't just rely on size—he's got footwork, too."
"Yeah, but the Red Hawks' point guard has been setting his teammates up beautifully," the other replied. "Kid plays like he's older. Calm under pressure."
Hearing that gave Lucas a flicker of pride, but it was quickly swallowed by the pressure of the game.
"Focus," Lucas muttered to himself.
As the referee handed the ball to Lucas for the inbound, Miguel leaned in, his voice low. "We're not done yet."
Jaylen nodded, his expression calm but determined. "They're big, but they're not perfect. Let's hit 'em back."
Lucas took one last deep breath, then stepped back onto the court. They were trailing, but the game was far from over.