Score: 13–13.
The ball sailed through the net a clean bank off the glass from Lucas's Free throw — and the buzzer from the scorer's table confirmed the tie.
Ayumi stood up halfway, heart pounding. "It's tied…! He actually tied it…"
Kai pounded his fist against the bench. "Lucas is EATING right now!"
Coonie said "What a monster"
Louie added, "Tch… they didn't see that cross coming."
Back on the court, Lucas landed light on his feet, barely breathing hard.
He turned toward his bench, gave a subtle nod toward Ethan.
Ethan nodded back.
(We're on pace. But this rhythm — we have to push it just a little more. Just enough to disrupt Leonel's control of the tempo.)
The Blazing Foxes wasted no time.
Leonel Blaze walked the ball up. His stride was casual, calm, but that calm had teeth.
Evan stood in front of him, crouched low, arms wide. Sweat trickled down his temple.
"You're not walking past me again," Evan muttered.
