The scoreboard screamed it in neon:
Vorpal 115 – Harbor 80.
Thirty-five points.
The Harbor Kings, their bodies drenched in sweat and pride dangling by a thread, tightened their lips as they inbounded. The third quarter had already cracked them but this early fourth-quarter stretch was threatening to shatter them completely.
On Vorpal's side, Ethan's mismatched crew, Kai Mendoza, Ryan Taylor, Josh Turner, Coonie Smith, and himself looked like an accident waiting to happen. Yet the accident was happening to Harbor.
4:59 left.
Harbor ball.
Jet Robinson snarled, barking for a clear-out. He dribbled hard, shoulders rocking, the Jet Step coiled like a spring.
"I'm done playing with kids."
He shot forward, a blur past Kai's shaky stance. Kai stumbled, trying to slide, but Jet was gone straight at the rim.
Skyline cleared out space, roaring: "Take flight, Jet!"
