Bayview called their second timeout of the half. The crowd didn't settle. It got louder. The break gave fans more space to shout, more time to lean over the rails, more reason to chant. The noise wrapped around the court like heat, pressing into every player.
Eli sat forward, elbows on his knees, eyes locked on the floor. He wasn't listening to the coach. He wasn't watching the scoreboard. His thoughts were on Khalil. Every move, every counter, every possession. He kept replaying them, trying to find a pattern. But Khalil kept shifting.
How do I stop him? he thought. He's stronger, faster, smarter. Every time I think I've figured him out, he changes. I'm chasing shadows.
A flick on the back of his head broke the loop.
"What the—" Eli turned, confused.
Daren stood behind him, arms crossed, eyebrows raised.
"You're thinking too much."
"I'm fine," Eli muttered. "Don't worry about me."
Daren didn't move. "You know what we're here to do, right? We're here to win. So whatever thoughts you have about Khalil — they don't matter right now. You know you can help us in more ways than just guarding him."
He placed a hand on Eli's shoulder. "You're the vice captain. I need your help to lead."
Eli didn't respond right away. But something shifted. The pressure didn't vanish, but it cracked. Daren's words made space. Eli nodded once, then again with more intent.
"Yeah. You're right. Let's do this."
He stood up, clapped his hands, and called out to the team. The bench responded. Heads lifted. Shoulders straightened. Daren didn't say anything else. He didn't need to.
That's why he's captain, Eli thought. He knows how to lift people. Even when they don't ask for it.
Malik checked in, along with two fresh players. Eli sat out, towel over his shoulders. Darius stayed on the bench, still waiting. Across the court, the Titans made their own swaps — Khalil sat, and three new players stepped in.
Daren noticed Malik's hands twitching. His eyes kept darting toward the crowd.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, yeah I'm good," Malik said. But his voice was tight.
"Don't worry, man. Just trust us out there. Don't be scared to make mistakes. There's always someone who's got your back. You trust us, we'll trust you."
Malik nodded. His breathing steadied. They headed to the court.
The Titans started the play. The ball moved fast. A contested shot from deep bounced off the rim. One of their players grabbed the rebound and dropped it in clean. Titans 26 – Bayview 20.
Bayview responded. Daren led the attack, directing traffic with calm control. The ball swung side to side. The play ended with a smooth layup. Titans 26 – Bayview 22.
The Titans came again, but Bayview's defense held — until Tyrese spotted something. A gap. A weakness.
Malik, he thought. He's not ready.
Tyrese shifted the ball, drew Malik out of position, and fired a pass to the open man. Easy finish. Titans 28 – Bayview 22.
Malik cursed under his breath. Daren was already beside him.
"We'll get one back," he said. "Just stay locked in."
Bayview pushed again. This time, Daren took it himself. He dribbled past Tyrese with a sharp crossover, drove into the paint, and finished through contact. Whistle. Foul. Titans 28 – Bayview 24.
Tyrese reached down, helped him up.
"My bad," he said.
"No problem," Daren replied, patting his back.
He stepped to the line and sank both free throws. Titans 28 – Bayview 26.
The Titans attacked again, trying to exploit Malik — but Daren was ready. He rotated fast, stepped into the lane, and contested the shot. It missed. He grabbed the rebound and launched the break, bouncing a perfect pass ahead for another layup. Titans 28 – Bayview 28.
The crowd shifted. The energy tilted. Bayview was creeping in.
Tyrese watched Daren as he jogged back, talking to teammates, pointing, encouraging.
He's always like this, Tyrese thought. Always calm. Always in control. Always the one people listen to.
His mind drifted — back to kindergarten. Back when he was the one everyone liked. Until Daren moved in. Until the kids started laughing at his jokes instead. Picking him first. Following him.
He didn't even try, Tyrese thought. He just walked in and took it.
The play restarted. Tyrese had the ball. He dribbled in front of Daren, eyes locked. The ball moved between his legs, behind his back, then he stepped back — smooth, confident — and let it fly.
The shot dropped clean. Nothing but net.
The crowd exploded. Titans 31 – Bayview 28.
The momentum was now back to the Titans with Tyrese confident that this time, the game will end in his victory.