Chapter 40: Invitation To Get Close VI

This was the Winter Cup Finals — the moment they'd all been working toward.

They weren't the biggest team in the league, and everyone knew it. Lakeshore is facing their greatest opponent of the season. One they have not encountered before.

Their opponents, Easton High, had two giants, Jamal Rivers and Marcus Lee, both standing well over 6'8".

The paint was their territory, and everyone expected them to dominate. Rivers and Lee were the current aces of Easton High, a team that had suffered a bitter loss in the quarter-finals of the Inter-High Tournament. But after these two giants appeared, Easton started winning games left and right.

After the meal he shared with his friends, Kenneth called everyone back for a meeting with Coach Martinez. He took a deep breath, then turned to the team.

"Coach, I want to switch positions with Tasha for this game."

Coach's eyes narrowed, "What are you talking about?"

Kenneth's voice was calm, but there was a deep determination with it.

"We can't beat them playing conventionally. Rivers is a monster, but he's slow. I can stay low, harass him, and keep him out of rhythm. Tasha can handle their wings with her strength. They won't expect us to switch it up."

The team exchanged glances. Tasha crossed his arms, studying Kenneth. Then a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"You really think this will work, Cap?"

They all knew the next day's game would be incredibly tough.

Kenneth's eyes blazed with determination but a grin was plastered in his lips.

"I know it will."

Coach Martinez scratched his chin, the weight of the decision hanging between them. Finally, he nodded.

"Alright. We try it. But stay sharp. If this backfires, we adjust."

Kenneth and Tasha bumped fists.

The plan was set.

Kenneth's team was versatile, with each player capable of filling different roles.

This flexibility started back in their second year when Kenneth suggested they test out different positions to see where they excelled.

Somehow with how she criticized and complimented him, Kenneth could tell that Harmony has a meticulous nature, something she used in analyzing their opponents.

No, even back during their play, Harmony had already shown this side.

Kenneth silently thanked her, 'I'm grateful for how much information you gave me. Even our manager isn't as thorough.'

And knowing her character, he did not disclose that the idea came from her.

The gym was electric as the game finally started.

The ball soared into the air.

Jamal Rivers easily out-jumped Leo, tipping it to his guard. Easton immediately set up their offense, feeding Rivers in the post.

He turned, expecting Tasha's strength — but instead, Kenneth crouched low, eyes locked on the ball. Jamal hesitated a moment too long. Kenneth jabbed his hand in and knocked the ball loose.

"Got it!" JJ shouted, scooping it up and blazing down the court.

He weaved through defenders and, just as the giants closed in, flicked the ball behind his back to Malik. Malik set his feet and drilled a three-pointer.

3-0, Lakeshore.

Easton adjusted quickly, pounding the ball inside to Marcus Lee.

But Leo was ready.

He planted his feet, arms up, absorbing the brunt of Marcus's power.

The shot went up, clanged off the rim, and Tasha snagged the rebound. He fired a quick outlet pass to JJ, who pushed the tempo. JJ sprinted down the court, eyes scanning.

He faked a pass to Kenneth on the wing, then lobbed it to Leo, who powered through a defender for a layup.

5-2, Lakeshore.

The crowd roared.

On the next play, Malik locked down Easton's shooting guard, denying any clean looks.

Kenneth stayed glued to Jamal, quick feet and relentless pressure keeping the giant off-balance. Jamal forced a shot, and again it missed.

Kenneth grabbed the rebound and took off. He zipped a pass to Malik, who hit JJ cutting toward the hoop. JJ finished with a slick reverse layup.

7-2, Lakeshore.

Easton's coach called a timeout.

The giants came back with renewed aggression.

Marcus Lee slammed home a dunk.

Jamal Rivers finally muscled past Kenneth for a layup.

12-10, Lakeshore.

But Lakeshore held their ground. On offense, JJ slowed things down, directing traffic like a seasoned floor general. He passed to Malik, who drew a double-team before kicking it out to Tasha.

He faked a shot, then fed the ball inside to Leo, who powered up for a basket.

14-10, Lakeshore.

The game turned physical.

Bodies crashed, sneakers squeaked, and the scoreboard inched forward.

At halftime, the score read 26-24, Easton.

In the locker room, sweat dripped from every player. Kenneth leaned forward, eyes fierce.

"We've got this. They're bigger, but we're faster. They're getting tired."

JJ and the rest nodded.

"Let's keep pushing the pace."

Coach Martinez clapped his hands, "Let's take this home. Play your game."

The second half started with Easton looking to pull away.

Jamal and Marcus controlled the boards, and Easton took a 36-30 lead.

But Lakeshore stayed composed. JJ sped up the game, driving and dishing. He found Malik open on the wing. Malik rose and drained a three.

36-33.

Then Leo stole a lazy pass, bulldozed his way through two defenders, and finished with a layup.

36-35.

Kenneth, still glued to Jamal, forced a bad shot.

Tasha grabbed the rebound, fired it to JJ, who lobbed it to Kenneth for a smooth mid-range jumper. Lakeshore reclaimed the lead.

38-36.

The gym was deafening in the final quarter.

Each possession felt like life or death.

With 30 seconds left, the score was tied 68-68.

Easton had the ball.

They fed Jamal in the post. He turned, and went up strong — but Kenneth leaped, hands high, forcing the miss. Leo grabbed the rebound and tossed it to JJ.

"Go, go, go!" Coach Martinez shouted.

JJ sprinted defenders on his heels. With 10 seconds left, he saw Kenneth and Malik covered. He kicked the ball to Tasha in the corner. He set his feet. The gym held its breath. He released the shot just as the buzzer blared.

Swish.

71-68, Lakeshore.

The gym exploded.

The team swarmed Tasha, screams and laughter mixing in the chaos.

Kenneth grinned, chest heaving, "We did it."

Leo clapped him on the back, "Crazy plan, man."

Malik laughed, "Sometimes crazy works."

Kenneth faced his friends in the stands, Luca and Justine gave him two thumbs-ups, followed by Beatrice and Kathrine. Gabriel gave him a nod with a smile tugging at his lips.

Kenneth's eyes went to the last person before raising his hand and offering a fist.

Harmony blinked before a smile appeared on her lips, something that caused Kenneth to grin.