Tuesday night, the Roarers were in enemy territory, facing the Vellix City Phantoms at the Vellix Civic Center, a packed house buzzing with restless energy.
9:00 PM sharp.
Both teams emerged from the tunnel onto the court, sneakers squeaking, lights blaring, the crowd buzzing with anticipation. Warmups began in a flurry of layup lines, chest bumps, and thudding dribbles echoing through the Vellix Civic Center.
Ryan bounced a ball, eyes scanning the Phantoms' side, quickly locking onto Devin Maddox. Number 10, built like a coiled spring, all lean muscle matching Ryan's 6'6" frame, with dreads tied back in a messy bun and a scruffy beard framing a cocky grin. Maddox caught Ryan's gaze, his lips curling into a sleazy smirk before he dragged a finger across his throat in a mock throat-slash.
That's your move, huh? Ryan thought, unfazed. He turned to Kamara, who was lobbing lazy layups nearby. "Yo, does Maddox ever do the death stare?"
