Ethan stood across from Leonel, eyes sharp. His chest rose with each breath, but his mind was razor-focused.
(Watch everything. Every cut. Every glance. The timing of their screens. Their spacing. The pass delay. Their reaction time.)
(This isn't a battle of force. This is chess. And I'm finally at the board.)
….
Inbound to Leonel.
Evan tried to press, but Leonel slid past like vapor, barely touching the ground.
A brush screen from Noah gave Leonel a sliver of space.
Then it happened again.
Zip!
A no-look bounce pass slipped right between Louie and Coonie perfectly timed.
Malik caught and flushed it with a windmill.
BANG!
Score: 36–39.
Ayumi flinched. Lucas gritted his teeth. On the bench, Jeremy held his breath.
….
Ethan didn't flinch. He raised a hand. "Inbound!"
The ball was passed to him.
Leonel met him near half-court.
The Maestro vs. The Analyst.
