Semifinal Showdown – Red Hawks vs. Chi-Town Wolves (Part 2)

The air around the court felt thick with tension as the Wolves prepared to defend their 15-13 lead. The small crowd surrounding the game leaned in closer, the excitement palpable. Every play mattered now, and both teams knew it.

Lucas dribbled the ball near the top of the key, signaling for Jaylen to set a screen. Miguel stood on the wing, bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet, ready to make his move.

"We're not losing this," Lucas said under his breath, his eyes scanning the court.

"Not a chance," Jaylen replied, stepping into position for the screen.

Miguel nodded, smirking. "Let's make it happen."

Lucas used Jaylen's screen to dart to his left, drawing both defenders momentarily. The Wolves' defense scrambled to recover, leaving Miguel with just enough space on the wing.

"Here!" Miguel called, clapping his hands.

Lucas zipped the ball to Miguel, who caught it cleanly and immediately attacked. Miguel drove hard into the lane, spinning past his defender and launching a soft floater that arced high over the Wolves' stocky forward.

The ball dropped through the net, and Miguel turned back toward the crowd, holding up three fingers. "We're right here!"

"15-14," Lucas said, clapping his hands as they jogged back on defense.

The Wolves wasted no time responding. Their star shooter, Marcus, moved off the ball, darting around two screens before catching a quick pass near the corner. Miguel closed out hard, but Marcus rose up, firing a two-pointer that swished cleanly through the net.

"17-14," Marcus called out, smirking as he backpedaled.

Miguel let out a frustrated groan, slapping his hands together. "Man, this kid is automatic."

Lucas put a hand on Miguel's shoulder. "Shake it off. We'll get it back."

On the next possession, Lucas slowed the pace, dribbling calmly as he waited for the play to develop. Jaylen set another solid screen, this time rolling hard to the basket. Lucas threaded a perfect bounce pass between two defenders, and Jaylen caught it in stride, finishing with a smooth layup.

"17-15," Jaylen said, giving Lucas a quick fist bump.

The Wolves brought the ball up, their stocky forward calling for it in the post. Jaylen held his ground, forcing him to take a tough turnaround jumper. The shot clanged off the rim, and Jaylen grabbed the rebound, quickly tossing it to Lucas.

"Push it!" Jaylen called.

Lucas sprinted up the court, with Miguel trailing on the wing. As the Wolves' defense collapsed, Lucas faked a drive before kicking it out to Miguel, who caught the ball and launched a two-pointer from the wing.

Swish.

"17-17," Miguel said, grinning as he held up two fingers. "That's how you do it."

The Wolves were feeling the pressure now. Their next possession was chaotic, with Marcus trying to create something out of nothing. Miguel stuck to him like glue, forcing Marcus to pass to his forward, who tried a wild hook shot that missed badly.

Jaylen grabbed the rebound and immediately passed to Lucas.

"Let's go!" Lucas called, pushing the pace again.

This time, Lucas kept the ball himself, driving hard into the lane. The Wolves' defenders swarmed him, but Lucas managed to split the double-team and finish with a tough layup off the glass.

"18-17," Lucas said, his voice steady but full of fire.

The Wolves weren't done yet. On their next possession, Marcus ran off another screen and caught the ball at the top of the arc. Miguel closed out hard, but Marcus faked a shot, took one dribble, and stepped back for another two-pointer.

It swished through the net, and Marcus pumped his fist. "19-18," he said, glaring at Miguel.

Miguel shook his head, muttering under his breath. "Alright, that's it."

The Red Hawks regrouped, with Lucas taking his time as he brought the ball up the court.

"Let's get a good look," Lucas said, motioning for Miguel and Jaylen to spread out.

Jaylen set another screen, but instead of rolling, he popped out to the elbow, catching the pass from Lucas and squaring up. The Wolves' defender closed in, but Jaylen faked a shot and drove into the paint, finishing with a clean layup to tie the game again.

"19-19," Jaylen said, his voice calm but firm.

The Wolves had a chance to end it on the next possession, and they knew exactly who to go to. Marcus came off a high screen, catching the ball just beyond the arc. He hesitated for a split second, then launched a deep two with Miguel contesting.

The ball rattled around the rim and bounced out.

"Rebound!" Lucas shouted.

Jaylen grabbed the loose ball, pivoting away from the Wolves' forward before firing a pass to Lucas.

This was it. Lucas brought the ball up, his mind racing as he read the defense. The Wolves were scrambling, clearly trying to prevent an easy look.

"Jaylen, screen!" Lucas called, motioning for Miguel to move to the corner.

Jaylen set the pick, and Lucas used it to drive into the lane. The Wolves collapsed on him again, but this time Lucas stopped on a dime, pivoting and firing a sharp pass to Miguel in the corner.

Miguel caught it cleanly, his feet already set. Without hesitation, he rose up and launched the shot.

The ball arced high, spinning perfectly as it sailed through the air.

Swish.

"Game!" Miguel shouted, turning to the crowd and holding his arms out wide. "That's how you do it!"

The small crowd erupted in cheers, and Lucas ran over, grabbing Miguel by the shoulders and shaking him. "Ice in your veins, man! That was clutch!"

Jaylen jogged over, grinning as he slapped Miguel on the back. "Big-time shot."

Miguel smirked, pretending to dust off his shoulders. "You already know."

Across the court, the Wolves looked deflated. Marcus shook his head, muttering something to his teammates as they gathered their gear.

Lucas walked over, extending a hand to Marcus. "Good game."

Marcus hesitated, then shook Lucas's hand. "Yeah… good game. You guys earned it."

As the Red Hawks walked off the court, they were met with nods of approval from spectators and players alike. Lucas glanced toward the sidelines, catching sight of Tim Hardaway, who was clapping slowly with a knowing smile.

Miguel nudged Lucas with his elbow. "Think Hardaway's putting us on his radar?"

Lucas chuckled, his chest still heaving from the adrenaline. "If he is, we've got one more game to convince him."

Jaylen grinned. "Finals, baby. Let's finish what we started."

The Red Hawks were through to the championship, and their confidence was higher than ever. One more game stood between them and the title.