The Skydome Arena was a cauldron of noise on Thursday, 9:30 p.m., its steel beams trembling under the weight of a frenzied Halveth crowd.
The court buzzed as the starting lineups took their places.
Ryan, in his Bright Crimson Vantix custom PEs, felt the floor's pulse through his soles, each step a spark in the powder keg of the game.
Across the court, Trey Yates, the Skyhawks' sharpshooting point guard, exuded a predator's calm.
The Roarers started with their usual five: Ryan, Darius, Malik, Kamara, and Gibson.
Halveth Skyhawks won the tip. Yates grabbed the ball.
The Roarers all dropped back on defense—
All except Ryan.
He bolted forward, pressing Yates full-court, right at the logo, before the Skyhawks could even set their offense.
The crowd erupted in a collective gasp. On the broadcast, announcer Jack "Mad Dog" Murphy's voice cracked with disbelief: "What the hell is Ryan doing? Full-court press from the jump?"
