Chapter 73 – The Final Game

Rosehill Wolves vs. Crimson Valley — A War on the Court

Part 1: The Storm Begins

The gym buzzed like a live wire.

From the second Ryan walked onto the court, he felt it—pressure, excitement, the weight of everything they'd worked for. The final game of the tournament. Rosehill Wolves vs. Crimson Valley. Home court. Packed stands. Blue and white shirts everywhere. People standing, shouting, waving signs.

Across from them, Crimson Valley looked like a machine—tall players, laser-focused eyes, warming up with fast breaks and clean three-pointers. Their captain, #5 Malik Carter, was already getting attention, launching corner threes and sinking them like he was made for this moment.

Coach Daniels gathered the team at center court."This is the big one. Play your game. You already earned your place here. Now show them what Rosehill is made of."

The starters were set. Ryan, Ben, and the rest of the bench clapped hard as the first five stepped onto the court. The ball went up—and the storm began.

Crimson Valley struck first. Malik crossed over their point guard and nailed a step-back three, fast and clean. But Rosehill wasn't fazed—Ty passed to Devin, who swung it to Jake inside the paint. Two points, easy.

Both teams went at each other with focus, trading baskets. Ryan, on the bench, leaned forward, studying every movement. He wasn't in yet, but he was already locked in. Ready.

The first quarter ended tight—18–16, Crimson Valley.

Part 2: Chaos Reigns – No Defense, Just Buckets

The second quarter exploded into pure offense.

Crimson Valley came out swinging. Malik started heating up, hitting a three off a screen. Their shooting guard, Zeke Lawson, was quick, slipping through gaps and scoring back-to-back floaters.

But Rosehill answered. Jake drained a three from the top. Devin pushed the ball fast, catching their defense flat-footed. The pace doubled—no one slowed down. Defense? Nonexistent. It was like both teams made an unspoken agreement to just score.

Ben was subbed in with six minutes left, and Ryan followed soon after.

First play: Ben grabbed a rebound off a missed Crimson Valley three and launched it to Ryan, who took two dribbles, faked right, spun left, and floated in a smooth layup. The crowd erupted.

Malik came right back with a deep three. Net. No rim.

Ryan narrowed his eyes. "Okay," he muttered. "Let's go."

Ben picked up Malik full-court, bumping him, reading every move. Ryan got the ball again, crossed two defenders, and delivered a slick behind-the-back pass to Ty for the slam. Momentum started to shift.

They went back and forth. Crimson Valley's big man, Deshawn, bullied in the paint for tough points. But Ryan was starting to find his zone—pull-ups, steals, quick first steps. Ben was everywhere on defense, deflecting passes, forcing turnovers.

Halftime buzzer.Score: 43–43.Dead even. No defense. Just heart.

Part 3: The Push and the Clash

The third quarter tightened. Both coaches made adjustments. Crimson Valley focused on slowing Ryan down. Two defenders stuck to him like glue. But Ryan was in rhythm now. He didn't force it. He passed. Cut. Moved without the ball. Let the game come to him.

Ben made two huge plays—stealing a lazy pass and diving for a loose ball that saved a possession. He was fired up, pumping his fist after a big stop.

Malik kept scoring. Midrange fade. Corner three. Driving layup through contact. The kid was electric.

But Ryan wouldn't back down. He drove into traffic, spun through two defenders, and finished a ridiculous reverse layup. Then a fast-break dunk that shook the backboard.

The gym roared. The announcer's voice cracked trying to keep up."This game is WILD!"

Score at the end of third: 60–60.

Everyone in the stands was on their feet.

Part 4: Down to the Wire

Fourth quarter.

Crimson Valley struck first—a pick-and-roll ending in a slick alley-oop. Rosehill answered. Jake found Ben open on the wing—he hit the three. The place went crazy.

Back and forth. Score after score.

With three minutes left, it was 70–70.Timeout called.

Coach Daniels pulled them in. "You've worked too hard to lose now. Trust your game. Stay sharp. Play smart. Win it."

Ryan was breathing heavy, sweat pouring. Ben's jersey was soaked. But their eyes? Sharp. They were ready.

Crimson Valley missed a shot—Ben grabbed the rebound and pushed it up. He passed to Ryan, who was already past half court. He crossed over, spun, hesitated—drained a midrange jumper.72–70 Wolves.

Crimson Valley didn't fold. Malik came down and hit a ridiculous contested three. 73–72 them.

Ben got fouled. Two free throws. He hit both.74–73 Rosehill.

Thirty seconds left. Crimson Valley scored. 75–74.Fifteen seconds.

Coach Daniels didn't call a timeout.

Ryan got the ball. Ten seconds.

Eight.

He crossed midcourt.

Six.

He pulled up—from WAY behind the three-point line.

Four.

The gym went silent as the ball flew. Long. Arcing. Perfect.

Swish.77–75.

Buzzer.

The gym exploded. Students rushed the court. People were screaming. Ryan stood there, arms raised, surrounded by teammates, friends, the whole town.

Rosehill Wolves were champions.