Chapter 25 – Trailblazer

February 10th.

They weren't just winning anymore. They were transforming.

What started as a one-man storm was now a full team wildfire. The scouts noticed. The media noticed. But more importantly—so did other high school programs.

Bayview Prep. Lincoln South. Oak Hill.

All had been planning for easy playoff runs. Now they were adjusting game plans. Because of one player.

Michael Schmidt.

He felt it, too.

The practices had sharper energy. Coaches were running more advanced sets. Film sessions ran longer. Players started suggesting counters and reads.

It felt like the locker room had gone from survival mode to predator mode.

They believed.

But with that belief came pressure.

Before their next game, Coach Alvarez sat the team down.

"This isn't the part where we cruise," he said. "This is the part where we prove the last two months weren't luck."

He looked at Michael.

"And this is where we see who you really are when the target is on your chest."

Michael met his eyes. "No problem. Let them aim."

Game day. Full gym. Packed student section. Cameras on every baseline.

The opponent: Ridgecrest Tech. Big. Disciplined. Loaded with three seniors signed to mid-major D1 schools.

From the opening tip, Ridgecrest came out swinging.

They pushed the pace. Full-court trapped. Took away Jamal's touches.

Michael had to take control.

And he did.

Crossover. Hesitation. Blow-by. Stepback. Clean three. Spin into contact. Fade.

By the end of the first quarter, he had 13. But Ridgecrest still led by 1.

The chess match had begun.

Second quarter, Ridgecrest sent doubles. Michael countered with no-look passes to cutters. When they sagged off, he buried contested jumpers.

He orchestrated like a conductor—never rushed, never rattled.

By halftime, it was tied.

Coach didn't draw plays. He just said, "Keep moving the pieces. They'll crack."

Michael wiped his face with a towel and nodded. "Let's make 'em fold."

Third quarter: Jamal got free. Hit two threes off Michael's assists. Marcus cleaned up the boards.

They led by six heading into the fourth.

But Ridgecrest wasn't done. They cut the lead to two with three minutes left.

Michael stayed calm.

He drew a switch. Backed the defender into the post. Pump fake. Up-and-under. Bucket.

Next possession: crossover into traffic. Kick-out. Jamal again—bang.

Final possession: shot clock winding. Michael at the top. Isolation. Stepback three.

Splash.

Final score: 77–70. Michael: 31 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds.

After the game, a local reporter shoved a mic toward him.

"You've taken this program from overlooked to feared. What's changed?"

Michael wiped sweat from his brow, then shrugged.

"Nothing's changed. We've been this. You're just now watching."

[System Notification: Reputation Milestone Reached – 'Program Changer'] [Trait Upgraded: Culture Setter Tier I → Tier II] [Progress: 20.12%]

He wasn't just chasing wins anymore.

He was building a legacy.