Game Above Game

The scoreboard glowed 20–18, with Ironwood leading by a slim margin as the second quarter began. The crowd was alive students stomping their feet, parents shouting encouragement, and the faint echo of a drumline pulsing in the background.

Jaden stood near the center of the court, his chest rising and falling with every deep breath. His sharp, dark eyes locked onto Jordan "Flash" Carter, who was standing on the opposite side, chewing gum and glaring back with focused intensity.

"You're not gonna sneak another block past me, Hunter," Jordan said, bouncing the ball casually in one hand.

Jaden smirked. "Only one way to find out, Flash."

The referee blew the whistle, and the second quarter was underway.

Westbridge came out aggressive. Jordan zipped around screens, firing quick passes to his teammates, forcing Ironwood's defense to scramble. The ball found its way to Westbridge's power forward, a hulking player nicknamed Big D. He backed Tank down into the paint, using brute strength to bully his way to the rim.

Thunk!

The ball slammed through the hoop, and Westbridge pulled ahead by two.

Tank cursed under his breath as he jogged back downcourt. "Dude's built like a bulldozer, man."

Jaden called out, his voice sharp. "Stay low, Tank! Make him work for it!"

Ironwood's possession began, and Jaden took control at the top of the key. The defense was tight, but Jaden stayed calm, dribbling low and scanning the floor. Tyler cut toward the corner, raising his hand slightly to signal for a pass.

Jaden hesitated for just a second before firing a sharp bounce pass to Tyler.

Tyler caught it, squared up, and drained a smooth three-pointer.

The crowd erupted as Tyler jogged backward, raising three fingers to the sky.

"Nice look, Hunter!" Tyler called out.

For a moment, Jaden felt a flicker of something—trust.

But Jordan wasn't about to let the momentum shift. He sprinted down the court, weaving through defenders like water through cracks in a wall. Jaden shadowed him every step, arms wide, feet light.

Jordan pulled up for a jumper near the baseline, but Jaden's hand was already there.

The shot bounced off the rim, and Tank snagged the rebound with authority, his massive hands gripping the ball like it was a grapefruit.

"Let's run!" Jaden shouted, sprinting forward.

Tank threw a perfect outlet pass, and Jaden caught it mid-stride.

The court felt endless as Jaden sprinted, his sneakers squeaking with every step. A defender closed in from the left, and Jaden's instincts took over.

A quick behind-the-back dribble sent the defender stumbling, and Jaden rose into the air with the basket looming ahead.

Time slowed.

The crowd leaned forward in unison.

Jaden twisted mid-air and threw down a one-handed slam dunk that rattled the rim.

The crowd exploded.

"Silk!" Tank roared, pumping his fist as Jaden landed.

Jaden pointed at Tank as he jogged back, his grin wide. But across the court, Jordan's jaw was tight, his hands clenched into fists.

This was turning into a battle of wills.

With three minutes left in the second quarter, the score sat at 35–33 in Ironwood's favor. Both teams were locked in a relentless back-and-forth, every basket answered with another.

Coach Hale paced the sideline, barking orders, his sharp blue eyes scanning the floor like a general surveying a battlefield.

"Focus on communication!" Hale shouted. "Hunter, keep Carter locked down!"

Westbridge had possession, and Jordan dribbled slowly, his movements deliberate. The crowd noise dulled as the two guards squared up Jaden and Jordan, face-to-face at the top of the key.

"Let's see how good you really are, Silk," Jordan said, his voice low.

Jordan exploded forward, driving hard to the left. Jaden matched him stride for stride. Jordan stopped on a dime and spun, the ball whipping behind his back.

Jaden hesitated a fraction of a second too long.

Jordan pulled up and drained a silky jumper from mid-range.

The net snapped, and Jordan turned back with a smirk. "Too slow, Hunter."

Jaden clenched his jaw as he grabbed the ball and inbounded it to Ethan.

"Keep your head in it, Silk," Ethan said softly as they crossed midcourt.

Ironwood set up their offense. Tyler set a screen near the arc, and Jaden used it to drive into the paint. The defense collapsed around him, and for a split second, Jaden spotted Leo "Shadow" Kim wide open in the corner.

Without hesitation, Jaden fired a no-look pass across the court.

Leo caught it cleanly, his sharp eyes locking on the rim.

The crowd fell silent.

Leo rose, his shooting form picture-perfect, and released the ball.

It arced high, spinning gently through the air before snapping cleanly through the net.

"Shadow!" Tank roared as the crowd exploded again.

Leo's face broke into a rare smile as he jogged back on defense. Jaden pointed at him and grinned.

"Nice shot, Shadow!"

Leo nodded quietly, his confidence visibly rising.

The final minute of the second quarter was a blur of frantic action. Bodies collided, shots were taken, and fouls were called. Both teams were running on adrenaline as the final possession fell to Ironwood.

With 10 seconds left, Jaden held the ball at the top of the key. The shot clock ticked down.

10… 9… 8…

Jordan was locked onto him, crouched low, eyes sharp.

"Make your move, Hunter," Jordan said, his voice calm.

7… 6… 5…

Jaden faked left, crossed right, then spun away from Jordan, creating just enough space to rise up for a jumper.

4… 3…

The ball left Jaden's fingertips, spinning perfectly toward the hoop.

2… 1…

Swish!

The buzzer blared as the ball fell cleanly through the net.

The crowd erupted, students leaping to their feet, arms raised high.

Jaden landed lightly on his feet, his face set in calm determination as his teammates surrounded him.

In the locker room at halftime, Coach Hale stood at the whiteboard, his face stern but not unkind.

"Good first half," Hale said. "But we're not done. Westbridge isn't going to roll over, and Carter's not gonna stop coming for you, Hunter. Stay sharp. Stick to the plan."

Ethan spoke up. "We've got this, Coach."

Hale nodded. "Good. Now hydrate, refocus, and get your heads straight. The second half is where we close this out."

As the team broke and began prepping for the third quarter, Jaden leaned against the locker, his chest still heaving from exertion.

Ethan clapped him on the shoulder. "That was cold, Silk. Straight up cold."

Jaden smirked faintly, but his eyes flicked toward Tyler.

Tyler, seated across the room, met Jaden's gaze and gave him a slight nod.

It wasn't much.

But it was a start.