Time: 6:40 – 4th Quarter
Score: Vorpal 59 – Roanoke 50
The ball left Evan Cooper's fingertips and zipped like a line drive into Lucas's chest near the right wing.
Lucas Graves caught it mid-stride, his body already coiled.
Across from him, Kagetsu Renjiro waited.
The air between them bent with tension.
Like a bowstring drawn tight.
Commentator Jamie leaned in toward his mic, breath caught.
"We're about to see it again. Graves vs Kagetsu — and this time, no screens. No help."
Coach Doyle muttered under his breath.
"Don't blink, Jamie. He's gonna try it."
Kagetsu shifted his weight slightly.
One heel raised.
Eyes calm.
Hands loose.
(Show me, Copycat.)
But Lucas wasn't flustered.
He bounced once on the balls of his feet, then exhaled deeply.
His fingers relaxed on the ball then curled again.
(You looked down on me earlier. That was your mistake.)
Dribble.
One hard pound to the right.
