30 – 24.
Forest leads.
2 minutes left in the first quarter.
The tension inside the arena began to rise—
Like pressure in a sealed jar threatening to burst.
Every seat was filled.
Every breath was held.
Every dribble echoed like thunder on the polished court.
Lucas exhaled slowly.
(Two minutes.)
(We either crumble... or cut through the vines.)
Thump.
He slapped the ball as Evan inbounded it with urgency.
"Let's move. Flow with me. No patterns—just read and react!"
Evan nodded fiercely.
Josh wiped sweat from his brow.
Ryan and Brandon pounded their chests, teeth clenched tight.
They were tired.
They were outmatched.
But they weren't broken.
Lucas took control and pushed the ball forward.
No play call.
No signals.
Just motion pure instinct.
He jabbed left
Evan sliced through the middle like a scalpel through silk.
Ryan floated up top for a screen—
But Lucas didn't need it.
He crossed right, low and tight—
