Iron Vault Arena.
The players jogged out for warmups. The court gleamed under the lights.
Across the half court, Colter Frye made his way over.
Frye dapped Ryan up, then grinned. "We're gonna smoke you tonight."
Ryan flashed a grin. "You still owe me that poster, man. Remember when I said I was gonna dunk all over you?"
Frye froze for a split second, caught off guard. He hadn't expected Ryan to bring up that moment. "Yeah? Bring it, then," he shot back, smirking as he jogged off.
By 9:30 p.m., the game was underway. The center circle buzzed as Malik—seven feet tall—outjumped the 7'1" Halvorsen, cleanly tipping the ball back to Ryan.
Ryan took it across the timeline and slowed at the top of the arc. Russo crouched low in front of him, arms out, locked in.
