The gym buzzed with post-game chatter. Sneakers squeaked as players stretched, laughed, or muttered about close calls. Coaches clapped shoulders and exchanged notes while the scoreboard's final numbers still glowed: 103–97.
Lucas jogged over to Ethan, a wide grin plastered across his face, chest still heaving from the final sprint. "We won… against a team that's strong," he said, voice full of awe and excitement.
Ethan leaned back against the bleachers, towel draped over his shoulders, letting his pulse slow. He met Lucas's gaze and shrugged lightly. "Well, it was the team effort that won us this… Even if this is a practice match, it's still a match," he said, voice calm but carrying the weight of analysis and pride.
