Chapter 110 – The First Game (Group Stage: Game 1)

Part 1 – The Locker Room

The locker room buzzed with nervous energy. Sneakers squeaked against the tile, the soft rustle of jerseys being adjusted, the thud of a ball bouncing in the corner. The Wolves were quiet—but it wasn't fear. It was focus.

Ryan rolled in, clipboard on his lap, eyes sweeping across every player like a commander checking his squad before battle. Coach Daniels stood next to him, arms crossed.

Ryan spoke first.

"You've all worked your asses off to get here," he said, his voice sharp, cutting through the silence. "Some of you thought we wouldn't make it. Hell, some of the town didn't think we'd even qualify. But here we are. And now, you've got one job."

He leaned forward.

"Prove. Them. Wrong."

Eyes lifted.

"Every pass, every screen, every loose ball—you go after it like it's the last play of your life. I want to see fire out there. I want to see heart. I don't care if they're taller or faster. They're not Wolves. They don't know what we've been through."

Ben nodded slowly, fists clenched. Tyler stared at Ryan like he was absorbing every syllable.

Coach Daniels stepped in. "Stick to the game plan. First half—feel them out. Second half—we adjust. We finish."

Ryan grinned. "This isn't just the first game. It's a statement."

He raised a fist.

"For Rosehill."

The team responded in unison.

"For Rosehill!"

And with that, the Wolves burst out of the locker room and into the spotlight.

Part 2 – First Half: Fire Meets Fire

The gym was packed, energy buzzing like static in the air. The Fairmount Hawks warmed up with sharp passes and confident dunks, their fans chanting with synchronized claps.

The Wolves, in their navy and gold, stood ready at center court. Ryan sat just behind the bench, eyes scanning the opponent's formation.

The tip-off went to Fairmount, and within seconds, they drove straight to the hoop—slam dunk.

0–2.

Ben inbounded the ball. The Wolves moved fast. Tyler cut across the paint, slipping behind a defender. Ben found him with a bounce pass. Tyler went up—

—and got blocked hard.

Fairmount was strong. Fast. Polished.

They scored again. And again.

6–0.

Ryan leaned over to Coach Daniels. "They're overloading our left side. We need to swing it faster."

Coach nodded. Timeout.

In the huddle, Ryan pointed to the diagram. "Use the backdoor cuts. Ben, look for Tyler when he curls off the screen. We break their rhythm now."

The game resumed. Ben dribbled up, called the play.

Tyler ran the arc, then suddenly darted toward the basket. Ben found him perfectly this time—layup.

2–6.

The Wolves started grinding. Defense tightened. The score slowly climbed.

At halftime, the board read:Rosehill Wolves 28 – Fairmount Hawks 30

It was close. Closer than anyone expected.

Part 3 – Second Half: Turning the Tide

The second half opened with Fairmount firing hard—three-pointer from the corner. Then another.

Ryan clenched his jaw. "We need to disrupt their rhythm. Play high-pressure on the wings."

The Wolves responded with urgency. Tyler intercepted a sloppy pass and sprinted downcourt. He faked the layup, passed it behind his back to another teammate—score!

32–36.

Ben caught fire in the third quarter—hitting jumpers, diving for loose balls, talking on defense.

The gym was roaring. Every Wolves bucket was met with cheers. The Fairmount Hawks were losing steam.

And then it happened.

Tie game: 42–42.

A Wolves forward hit a floater just before the third quarter ended.

44–42.

For the first time all game, Rosehill was ahead.

Ryan wheeled up and called out, "Now finish it! Wolves never back down!"

Part 4 – Fourth Quarter: The Statement

Fairmount came back hard.

With three minutes left, the game was neck and neck. 52–52.

Ben was exhausted. The Hawks' defense was locking him down.

Ryan looked at Coach Daniels. "It's time."

Tyler was subbed back in.

First play—Tyler jab-stepped, spun, and dished a wild no-look pass. Bucket.

54–52.

Fairmount answered.

54–54.

With one minute left, Tyler hit a clutch jumper.

56–54.

Fairmount tied it again.

56–56.

Final possession. Wolves ball. Twenty seconds.

Ryan stood now, gripping the bench for balance, heart pounding.

Ben brought it up, looked at Tyler. Tyler nodded.

Ten seconds.

Dribble. Spin. Hesitation.

Tyler pulled up from the free throw line—

—swish.

58–56.

The buzzer sounded.

The gym exploded.

Rosehill Wolves had just won their first group-stage game.

And the statement?

It was loud and clear.