Scoreboard: Vorpal 21 – Piedmont 17
The horn blared, its echo lingering in the gym rafters like a warning bell.
Second quarter. No subs. No breathing room.
Both teams gathered at center court, the hardwood trembling faintly under the rhythmic stomp of shoes from the restless crowd. The coaches weren't gambling on fresh legs—they wanted their starting fives to collide again, but this time, the tone had shifted.
The referee stood between the two Brandons—Young and "Brick" Thompson—holding the ball aloft.
(First quarter, they tested our speed. Second quarter… they'll grind it. Strength test. Control test.)
The Basketball System flared in Ethan's mind, overlaying red warning text like a heads-up display.
[Opponent Strategy Shift Detected – Tempo Control Initiated.]
Brick's eyes were flat and unblinking. He barely bent his knees. Brandon Young mirrored his stance, coiled, ready.
"Ball's up!" The ref tossed it into the air.
