Trading Buckets

The second quarter began with the same intensity as the first. The tension in the gym was thick, every dribble, every movement amplified by the roar of the crowd. Lucas stood near half-court, locking eyes with Cameron Reed as the Lakeview guard dribbled up. The kid was smooth, confident, but Lucas could see it—Cameron wasn't used to being pressed this hard. He was trying to act like it didn't bother him, but Lucas saw the slight hesitation in his moves.

Cameron smirked. "You getting tired yet, Turner?"

Lucas stayed locked in, his stance low. "Tired? Bro, I could do this all day. You sure you're good? You've been passing a lot."

Cameron didn't respond, but his eyes flashed with irritation. That's what Lucas wanted—get in his head, make him uncomfortable.

Lakeview set up a high pick, trying to force a switch, but Lincoln Park had prepared for this. Lucas fought through the screen, staying glued to Cameron as he tried to drive. Cameron hesitated for a split second before pulling up for a midrange jumper. Lucas got a hand up—just enough to affect the shot.

Brick.

The ball bounced off the rim, and Evan snatched the rebound, immediately swinging it out to Miguel, who exploded down the court.

Miguel dribbled behind his back, sizing up Troy Carter, then hit him with a lightning-fast crossover. Troy stumbled—just a little—but that was all Miguel needed. He pulled up from the right wing, releasing the ball in one fluid motion.

Swish.

The Lincoln Park bench jumped up, cheering as Miguel backpedaled on defense, grinning. "Man, this gym feels like home. Y'all gotta make it harder than that."

Cameron caught the inbound pass and wasted no time pushing the ball back up. He was playing faster now, trying to assert himself. Lucas matched his speed, forcing him to make a decision. Cameron drove left, but Lucas anticipated it perfectly, cutting him off. Cameron picked up his dribble, pivoted, then whipped a pass out to their small forward, who immediately attacked the rim.

Jaylen was there waiting.

Jaylen timed his jump perfectly, meeting the layup attempt at its highest point and swatting it into the bleachers.

The crowd exploded. Jaylen flexed, his voice carrying over the noise. "Nah! Not in here, bro! Try again!"

The referee signaled for a Lakeview inbound, and Coach Harrison immediately called for a timeout.

The team jogged to the bench, their energy high. Coach grabbed his clipboard, already sketching out adjustments.

"Great defense. You're making them uncomfortable. Keep pressing them—don't give Cameron easy looks. Now listen, on offense, we're moving too fast. I need patience. If we control the pace, we control the game."

Lucas nodded. "Got it, Coach. We slow it down when we need to."

Coach pointed at Miguel. "Keep taking smart shots. They can't guard you in transition, but don't settle for deep threes unless they're wide open."

Miguel wiped sweat from his forehead. "Coach, everything I shoot is wide open."

The bench erupted in laughter, but Coach just gave him a flat stare. "Then keep hitting them."

The timeout ended, and the players stepped back onto the court. Lucas clapped his hands. "Let's lock in. Every stop matters."

Lakeview inbounded the ball and immediately ran a play to get Cameron an open shot. He curled off a screen, caught the pass, and launched a three before Lucas could recover.

Swish.

Cameron turned and gave Lucas a look. "Yeah, keep talking."

Lucas smirked. "Lucky shot. Do it again."

Lakeview settled into a full-court press, trying to speed Lincoln Park up. Lucas called for the ball, waving off the inbounder's hesitation. He wanted this.

The moment the ball touched his hands, Cameron was on him, moving his feet well, trying to cut off any easy passing lanes. Lucas stayed calm, keeping his dribble low, using a quick behind-the-back move to shake him for a split second before sprinting up the sideline.

Miguel darted ahead, and Lucas saw the opportunity. A quick flick of the wrist sent a perfect bounce pass through traffic, hitting Miguel in stride.

Miguel caught it, took one dribble, and rose up for a floater over Bennett.

Soft touch.

Bucket.

Lucas jogged back, turning toward Cameron. "You wanna trade shots, or you wanna play defense?"

Cameron didn't respond, just waved for the inbound pass.

Lakeview attacked quickly, swinging the ball from side to side, forcing Lincoln Park to shift. Their small forward caught the ball in the corner and attacked baseline, drawing Evan over to contest. At the last second, he dished it off to Bennett, who dunked it with authority.

The crowd went wild.

Lucas shook his head, jogging back to receive the inbound. Lakeview wasn't going away.

With just under three minutes left in the second quarter, the score was tied at 22.

Lucas called for an isolation at the top of the key. Cameron squared up, locking in defensively. Lucas dribbled in place, rocking the ball side to side, testing the timing.

Then he exploded.

A quick left-to-right crossover sent Cameron off-balance just enough. Lucas planted hard, stepping back into space. He rose up for a deep two.

Cameron recovered, lunging forward, but it was too late.

Swish.

Lucas landed smoothly, holding his follow-through for just a second longer. "Told you. Do it again."

Cameron clenched his jaw, calling for the ball. He dribbled up the court, moving faster now, trying to force the issue. Lucas stayed in front, mirroring his every move.

Cameron faked right, then spun left, creating just enough space to fire a tough jumper over Lucas's outstretched hand.

The ball bounced off the rim.

Evan snagged the rebound and quickly fed it to Lucas, who took off down the court. Miguel was streaking ahead, but a Lakeview defender was shadowing him, so Lucas kept the ball, scanning the floor.

Jaylen was trailing, running down the middle of the court, calling for it.

Lucas waited until the last possible second before rifling a pass behind his back to Jaylen at the free-throw line.

Jaylen caught it, took one step, and powered through a defender for a tough layup.

The whistle blew.

And one.

Jaylen let out a yell, pumping his fist as the Lincoln Park bench erupted. Lucas walked over, slapping Jaylen's chest. "That's how you play big."

Jaylen grinned. "They too soft."

Jaylen hit the free throw, extending their lead to 27-22.

The intensity only rose from there.

Cameron responded with a quick drive and dish for an easy layup. Miguel hit another deep jumper, letting out a loud "cash!" as the ball splashed through the net. Bennett finished a tough putback after a missed shot.

With under a minute left, the score sat at 29-26, Lincoln Park holding onto a slim lead.

Lakeview held for the final shot. Cameron dribbled up top, waiting for the clock to wind down before making his move. Lucas tightened his stance.

Cameron faked left, drove hard right, and pulled up at the elbow. Lucas leaped, contesting perfectly.

The ball arced high, hanging in the air for what felt like forever—

And dropped through.

Buzzer.

Halftime.

Lincoln Park 29 – Lakeview 28.

Lucas exhaled, wiping sweat from his forehead.

They had the lead.

But Lakeview wasn't backing down.

They needed to be even better in the second half.