Chapter 6: Chapter 6: The Nightmare Above the Rim
Dean Smith Center – University of North Carolina
The Dean Smith Center buzzed with tension as Vince Carter, North Carolina's electrifying freshman, squared off against Georgetown's towering sensation, Alex Mo.
The energy in the arena was electric. North Carolina fans were confident that their hometown hero would put this "big Asian center" in his place.
"Vince is going to dunk on that guy!"
"Make him your poster, Vince!"
"Send him back to China!"
The crowd roared as Carter received the ball at the perimeter. With a quick crossover, he blew past Georgetown's sophomore guard and sprinted toward the paint.
The Challenge
Standing tall in the paint, Alex Mo watched Vince Carter approach with steely determination. Where most players would have panicked or backed off, Alex stayed rooted, bending his knees and spreading his arms like wings.
"Bring it on," Alex muttered under his breath.
Vince Carter leapt into the air, his body twisting gracefully as he prepared to unleash a thunderous slam.
"Bang!"
The sound of Carter taking off echoed across the arena, and for a moment, it seemed like the perfect highlight reel was about to unfold.
But then—
Alex Mo launched himself upward with startling speed, meeting Carter head-on. His outstretched hand swatted the ball with such force that it ricocheted off the backboard.
"BOOM!"
The impact sent Carter sprawling to the floor, dazed and stunned. The crowd gasped in disbelief.
"He blocked Vince!"
"No way! Not even Vince Carter could score on him!"
"Who is this guy?"
The Counterattack
Georgetown's bench exploded with cheers. Allen Iverson leapt to his feet, shouting, "Go, Alex! Take it all the way!"
Alex didn't need encouragement. Grabbing the loose ball, he took off in transition, dribbling with the speed and grace of a guard.
"Stop him, Antoine!" North Carolina's coach, Dean Smith, yelled from the sideline.
Antawn Jamison, known for his quickness as a forward, sprinted to intercept Alex. But as Jamison gave chase, he realized something: Alex's strides were impossibly long.
From the half-court line, Alex needed only two dribbles to reach the three-point line. By the time Jamison caught up, Alex had already taken flight.
Stepping inside the free-throw line, Alex soared through the air, his arms swinging the ball into a devastating tomahawk dunk.
"BOOM!!"
The rim shook violently as the arena fell silent once more. The backboard groaned but remained intact, saved only by its reinforced design.
On the Georgetown bench, Iverson threw his towel in the air and turned to Coach Thompson. "Coach, we're unstoppable! Just give us the Big East trophy now!"
North Carolina's Unease
On the court, Vince Carter picked himself up, his confidence momentarily shaken. He exchanged a glance with Jamison, whose face mirrored his own unease.
"Calm down, Vince," Jamison said. "It's just one play. We'll get him back."
Carter nodded, but deep down, he knew they had a problem. Alex Mo wasn't just big, he was everywhere.
The Nightmare Unfolds
North Carolina reset their offense, determined to regain momentum. Jamison received the ball on the perimeter and lined up a mid-range jumper.
But before he could release it, Alex closed the gap with alarming speed.
"SWAT!"
Alex's massive hand sent the ball flying into the stands. The crowd groaned as another possession ended in failure.
North Carolina's players exchanged nervous glances. Their opponents weren't just playing basketball—they were imposing their will on the game.
Georgetown's Confidence
On the sideline, Iverson couldn't contain his excitement. "Coach, we've got this!" he said, grinning. "With Alex, we're not just Big East champs—we're NCAA champs!"
Jerome Williams chimed in, "Forget Tim Duncan or Marcus Camby. Alex will give every team nightmares this season!"
Coach John Thompson, ever the realist, raised a hand to quiet his players. "Focus on the game at hand," he warned. "It's not over yet."
But even he couldn't hide the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Watching Alex dominate on both ends of the floor made it clear: Georgetown had found their ace.
The Statement Dunk
As the game progressed, Alex continued to dominate. With each block, rebound, and dunk, he cemented himself as the most impactful player on the court.
Late in the second half, Alex found himself with the ball at the three-point line. Without hesitation, he took two dribbles, spun past his defender, and soared toward the rim.
"BOOM!"
This time, his dunk didn't just rattle the rim it sent a message: Georgetown was here to dominate.
Aftermath
By the time the final buzzer sounded, Georgetown had secured a commanding victory. The North Carolina players looked deflated as they walked off the court, their confidence shattered.
In the locker room, Iverson wrapped an arm around Alex. "Man, you're a monster. Do all Chinese players hoop like you?"
Alex smirked. "Not exactly. Guess I'm just special."
The room erupted into laughter as the team celebrated their win.
Coach Thompson's Assessment
As the players cooled down, Coach Thompson addressed the team. "That was an impressive performance, but don't let it go to your heads. The real season hasn't even started yet."
"Yes, Coach!" the team replied in unison.
Iverson leaned toward Alex, whispering, "You know he's just saying that. Deep down, he knows we're unstoppable."
Alex nodded, a determined look in his eyes. "This is just the beginning."