Game Above Game

The Ironwood locker room buzzed with tension. The faint echo of the roaring crowd seeped through the walls, mixing with the sharp hiss of a water bottle being squeezed and the rhythmic tap of Jaden's sneakers against the tile floor. Players sat on benches, sweat dripping from their jerseys, their faces etched with exhaustion and focus.

Coach Hale stood in front of the whiteboard, a thick black marker clenched in his fist.

"Listen up!" Hale's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "We're ahead, but Westbridge isn't going to back down. Carter is going to come at us harder. Their big man is going to throw his weight around in the paint. We adjust, we adapt, and we don't lose focus."

Hale's piercing blue eyes locked onto Jaden. "Hunter, Carter is your responsibility. You don't let him breathe. If he so much as blinks, I want you in his face."

Jaden nodded sharply. "Yes, Coach."

Hale turned to Tank next. "Tank, you're the wall. Own the paint. I don't care if Big D is built like a freight train you're the immovable object."

Tank grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Ain't nobody getting through me, Coach."

Hale uncapped his marker and circled Tyler's name on the whiteboard. "Crane, you've got one job—hit your shots. You're our sharpshooter. I don't care if you miss three in a row, you keep firing."

Tyler gave a small nod, his face serious.

"Now get out there," Hale barked. "And remind everyone why Ironwood is the team to beat!"

The team erupted into a collective roar, fists pounding into open palms as they stood. Jaden clenched his fists, the weight of Hale's words settling into his chest.

As the team jogged out of the locker room and into the tunnel, Ethan fell into step beside Jaden.

"Keep your head, Silk," Ethan said, his voice low. "Carter's good, but you've got something he doesn't."

"What's that?" Jaden asked.

Ethan smirked faintly. "You've got us."

The stadium lights felt brighter as Jaden stepped back onto the polished hardwood floor. The crowd roared, black and gold banners waving furiously. Somewhere in the stands, Ava Martinez had her camera lens trained on him, her sharp hazel eyes following his every move.

The referee blew the whistle, and the third quarter began.

Westbridge struck first. Jordan Carter wasted no time slipping past a screen and pulling up for a jumper. The ball snapped through the net cleanly, and Carter smirked as he backpedaled down the court.

Jaden took the inbound pass and brought the ball up slowly, his eyes scanning the defense. Tyler moved into position at the wing, hands raised. Tank set a screen near the baseline.

Jaden hesitated for just a moment before threading a sharp bounce pass to Ethan, who powered into the paint and finished with a clean layup.

Back and forth they went. Every possession felt like a battle, every basket hard-earned. Jordan answered with another jumper. Tyler nailed a three-pointer from the corner. Tank wrestled Big D in the paint, their bodies colliding with an audible thud every time they fought for position.

Midway through the quarter, the score stood at 45–43 in favor of Ironwood.

The crowd was electric. Every basket brought screams of joy or groans of frustration, and every steal or block felt like a shift in momentum.

Jaden crouched low on defense, his eyes locked onto Jordan. Sweat dripped from his forehead, stinging his eyes, but he didn't blink.

Jordan smirked. "You're quick, Hunter, but you can't keep up forever."

Jaden gritted his teeth. "We'll see about that."

Jordan drove hard to the left, his movements sharp and unpredictable. Jaden stayed with him, matching every step, every shift in direction. Jordan stopped abruptly and launched a floater over Jaden's outstretched hand.

The ball arced high… and bounced off the front rim.

Tank grabbed the rebound with authority, his massive hands gripping the ball like it was made of clay.

"Run!" Jaden shouted, already sprinting down the court.

Tank hurled an outlet pass downcourt. Jaden caught it in stride and charged toward the basket. Jordan was on his heels, closing the gap with every step.

Jaden rose into the air, the crowd holding its breath.

At the last second, instead of finishing, Jaden flicked a no-look pass behind his back to Tyler, who was waiting at the three-point line.

Tyler caught the ball, set his feet, and fired.

The shot sailed through the air and snapped through the net with perfect precision.

The gym erupted in chaos.

Tyler pointed at Jaden as they jogged back on defense. "Nice dish, Hunter!"

Jaden smirked but didn't break focus.

The fourth quarter arrived with the score knotted at 60–60. Both teams were exhausted, their movements slower, their breathing heavy.

Coach Hale's voice rang out from the sidelines. "Stay sharp! Every possession counts!"

Jordan Carter was relentless, slicing through Ironwood's defense with sharp crossovers and quick pull-ups. Jaden matched him every step, his lungs burning, his legs heavy.

With two minutes left, Westbridge led 68–66.

Coach Hale called a timeout. The team huddled around him, their faces pale with exhaustion.

"Listen up," Hale said, his voice steady. "This is it. Two minutes. Dig deep. Hunter, you've carried us this far. Finish it."

Jaden nodded, his jaw tight.

As the team stepped back onto the court, Jaden could feel every pair of eyes in the gym locked onto him.

The ball was inbounded, and Jaden took control. Tyler moved to the corner, Tank set a screen near the free-throw line, and Ethan hovered near the baseline.

Jordan was glued to Jaden, his long arms reaching out, his feet light.

Jaden dribbled left, then right, then spun away from Jordan with a sharp pivot. He drove hard into the paint, defenders collapsing around him.

For a brief moment, the world felt still.

Jaden saw Tyler open in the corner.

He also saw a tiny gap a sliver of space between two defenders.

Trusting his instincts, Jaden rose into the air, ball cradled in one hand.

The defenders reached up, hands swatting at the ball, but Jaden was already at the peak of his jump.

He released the ball with perfect touch.

The gym fell silent as the ball sailed toward the hoop.

It hit the backboard, kissed the rim, and dropped in.

The crowd exploded.

Westbridge had one final possession. Jordan Carter raced up the court, defenders swarming him. With two seconds left, he pulled up for a desperate three-pointer.

The shot sailed through the air…

And bounced harmlessly off the rim.

The buzzer sounded, and the crowd erupted into a tidal wave of cheers.

Jaden collapsed to his knees, his chest heaving, sweat dripping from his chin. Tank lifted him up with one massive arm, roaring with triumph.

Ethan clapped Jaden on the back, his grin wide. "You did it, Silk."

Tyler walked up, his face unreadable for a moment. Then he nodded.

"Nice finish, Hunter."

Jaden nodded back, a faint smile pulling at his lips.

Ironwood had won their season opener.

But Jaden knew this was just the beginning...