Chapter 105 – Tryout Day

The sound of sneakers squeaking on the hardwood echoed through the Rosehill gym. It wasn't a game day, but the stands weren't empty either. Word had gotten around. The Wolves were trying someone out—and more importantly, Ryan Whitmore was returning… not as a player, but as Coach Whitmore.

Ben, Savannah, and the rest of the team were already stretching, passing the ball around in loose drills, but the energy was different. People whispered and glanced toward the bench where Ryan sat in his wheelchair, clipboard in hand, eyes sharp and focused.

At center court, Coach Daniels blew the whistle."Alright. Bring it in!" he called.

The players huddled, and just behind them, nervously gripping the hem of his jersey, stood Tyler.

He looked younger than the rest, skinnier, still trying to grow into his limbs. But there was something in his eyes—intensity, raw determination. And as he stepped forward, all eyes turned to him.

"This is Tyler," Coach Daniels announced. "Freshman. He's been training with Coach Whitmore for the past month."

That name—Coach Whitmore—hit like a second whistle. Murmurs ran through the huddle. Heads turned to Ryan.

Ben blinked. "Wait… he's back? Like… official?"

Savannah smiled faintly. "Took long enough."

Ryan cleared his throat and rolled forward. "Yeah. I'm not here to score points anymore. But I'm here to help all of you become the best versions of yourselves. Starting with this guy."

He nodded to Tyler.

Coach Daniels stepped back. "Let's see what you've got, Tyler."

The gym shifted from chatter to focused silence.

Tyler took a deep breath and moved into the drill.

First, ball-handling.

He fumbled the first few moves—his nerves showing—but Ryan's voice cut in:"Relax your shoulders. Trust your vision."

Tyler adjusted. His moves became quicker, cleaner, sharper. He wasn't flashy, but he was precise. Like Ryan had said—he saw the game in a way most didn't.

Next came passing drills.

That's where jaws started to drop.

He threw no-look passes into perfect spots. He bounced it between defenders into open hands. He threaded it behind his back once without even glancing.

Ben caught one of those passes and turned mid-air, wide-eyed."Yo! Did you see that?"

Savannah whispered, "He's not just guessing. He knows."

Then came scrimmage time. Tyler ran point, surrounded by older, bigger players. But somehow, he controlled the pace. He wasn't the fastest. He wasn't the strongest. But he made everyone else play better.

Coach Daniels watched closely. Ryan sat beside him, calling out sets, suggesting switches.

"He's green," Daniels muttered."But?" Ryan asked.

"But he's got court sense like I haven't seen in a freshman since…" Daniels paused, then smirked. "Since a certain moody kid from California stepped onto this court last year."

Ryan couldn't help but grin.

When the whistle blew to end the scrimmage, Tyler was soaked in sweat, breathing heavy, but smiling ear to ear.

Coach Daniels gathered the team.

"What do you all think?"

Ben raised a hand. "He's raw. But he's got vision. And guts."

"Kid can pass," another player said.

"He makes us better," Savannah added.

Coach Daniels looked at Ryan.

Ryan gave a small nod. "He's ready. And more importantly… he's hungry."

Daniels stepped forward. "Tyler, welcome to the Rosehill Wolves."

Applause broke out. Tyler blinked, stunned. "Wait, really?"

"You earned it," Daniels said, clapping his shoulder.

Ryan rolled over and held out a fist. Tyler bumped it, eyes wide.

"You did good," Ryan said. "But this is just the start. You're not done yet."

"I'm ready," Tyler said. "For whatever's next."

Ryan nodded. "Good. Because next… we teach you how to win."

From the sideline, the old Wolves were watching the birth of something new—a new player, a new coach, and maybe… a new legacy.

And deep in his chest, for the first time in a long time, Ryan didn't feel broken.

He felt reborn.