Chapter 37: The Final Stretch

The sun had just started to set, casting a golden glow over Ridgewood High's outdoor courts. The air was warm, the sky a vibrant blend of pinks and purples, and Alex found himself in his usual spot, ball in hand, dribbling casually. He'd come here after sending his reply to the University of Oregon, needing some space to think and reflect on everything that had happened over the past few months.

Accepting Oregon's offer felt like stepping into an entirely new world—one full of possibilities, challenges, and uncertainty. But for the first time in a long time, Alex felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be. He was finally starting to understand what Mia and Coach Harris had been telling him all along. The game was taking him on a journey, and while he didn't know every step along the way, he was ready to embrace it.

As he shot a perfect three-pointer, he heard a familiar voice call out from the sidelines.

"Still working on that jump shot, Parker?"

Alex turned to see Coach Harris approaching, her usual sharp demeanor softened by a rare smile. She carried her clipboard under one arm, but there was no practice or strategy session today. Just a conversation.

"Never hurts to keep it sharp," Alex replied, grinning as he caught the ball on the rebound.

Coach Harris stood next to him, arms crossed as she watched him dribble the ball. "I heard you made your decision."

Alex nodded. "Yeah. I accepted Oregon's offer."

A moment of silence passed between them before Coach Harris spoke again. "I'm proud of you, Alex. This wasn't an easy decision, but you made the right one. You've got the talent, the drive, and the leadership to succeed at the next level."

"Thanks, Coach," Alex said, his voice sincere. "I just—well, I guess I wanted to thank you. For everything. You pushed me harder than anyone else, and I'm not sure I'd be here if it wasn't for you."

Coach Harris smiled, a rare but genuine expression. "You're the one who did the work, Parker. I just made sure you didn't get comfortable. Remember that—success doesn't come to those who wait. You've got to keep pushing, even when you're on top."

Alex nodded. "I will. And I won't forget where I came from, either."

"That's good to hear," Coach Harris said, giving him a firm pat on the shoulder. "But don't be afraid to outgrow this place, either. That's what we train for—for the next step. You've earned it."

As she turned to leave, she paused at the edge of the court. "You've still got a few games left in you here at Ridgewood, Parker. Don't forget to enjoy them."

"I won't, Coach," Alex said, watching her walk away.

---

The following week, the Wildcats gathered for their final team meeting before the last regular season game. Though they had already secured the state championship, there was still one more opponent to face, and Coach Harris wasn't letting anyone get too comfortable.

"All right, listen up!" she barked, commanding the room's attention. "This game might not be for the title, but that doesn't mean it's not important. We finish the season the way we started it—focused, disciplined, and with one goal in mind: winning."

The team nodded in unison, but there was a sense of finality hanging in the air. This was it—the last game for Alex, Mia, and the rest of the seniors. After this, it was over. There would be no more practices, no more bus rides, no more Friday night games under the lights.

Alex looked around at his teammates, many of whom had become like brothers to him over the years. He caught Mia's eye, and she smiled at him, a mixture of excitement and nostalgia in her expression.

"Let's go out with a bang," she whispered as they took their seats.

The game itself was almost secondary in Alex's mind. He wasn't worried about the score, or the plays, or even his performance. He just wanted to savor every moment—the roar of the crowd, the squeak of sneakers on the hardwood, the familiar weight of the ball in his hands.

When the final buzzer sounded, the Wildcats had won, of course. They always did. But it wasn't the score on the board that mattered—it was the way the team came together one last time, the way they celebrated not just the victory but everything they had accomplished as a group.

As the crowd filtered out and the lights in the gym dimmed, Alex stood at center court, looking around. This place had been his home for the past four years. It had seen his triumphs, his failures, his growth. And now, it was time to say goodbye.

Mia came up beside him, her hair damp with sweat, her jersey slung over her shoulder. "So, how does it feel?" she asked, her voice soft.

Alex took a deep breath. "It feels... right. Like everything is exactly where it's supposed to be."

Mia nodded, her smile bittersweet. "I know what you mean. It's weird, though, isn't it? Knowing that we won't be coming back here next season?"

"Yeah," Alex admitted. "But that's okay. We've got bigger things ahead of us."

Mia laughed lightly. "Spoken like a true Oregon Duck."

Alex chuckled. "And you? Have you decided yet?"

"I've got a few offers on the table," Mia said, shrugging. "I'm still weighing my options. But I think I'm ready for the next step, too. Whatever that looks like."

They stood there for a moment, letting the weight of the moment sink in. This wasn't the end—it was just the beginning of something new. And while they didn't know exactly what the future held, they knew they'd face it head-on, just like they had faced every game together.

"So," Mia said, breaking the silence, "one last game of one-on-one? For old times' sake?"

Alex grinned, grabbing the basketball at his feet. "You're on."

They played under the dim lights of the gym, laughing, trash-talking, and competing just like they had since the beginning. And as the ball sailed through the net one final time, Alex felt a sense of peace wash over him.

The court may have been their battlefield, but it was also their home. And no matter where life took them next, this place, these memories, and these friendships—they would always carry them forward.

As they walked off the court together, Alex looked over at Mia, a smile on his face. "Here's to the next. "

Mia nodded, her eyes bright with determination. "Yeah. Here's to whatever comes next."