บท 70: Game Against Franklin III
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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~
~~~(Date: November 3rd, 2025)~~~
~~~(Time: 3:29 PM)~~~
~~~(Location: Franklin Highschool Gym)~~~
Deshawn has improved after the summer break. Before when we met, he was a defensive juggernaut, but now he's added some offensive moves to his game. He looked like Tim Duncan with that move. Franklin's team shifts onto defense, and I wait for the inbound. It's been silently decided that I'm the primary ballhandler tonight.
Their only 2 point behind, and with a close early score of 10-8, it's a sign of a close game falling in the later quarters. We're almost halfway through the first quarter, and I've got 10 points, 1 block, 1 steal, and a whole game ahead of me to fill the stat sheet up. Coach Rodgers is staying quiet on the sidelines, even sitting down on his chair.
He knows what's going through my head and that I'm in a different space mentally. "Everyone! Focus on shutting him down! Make him pass the ball!" Deshawn is stepping up and leading his team. He meets me at half court and is already applying plenty of pressure. It's not the same as when Lebron guarded me at Rucker Park.
We halt behind the three-point line, and I pass the ball to Tyler as his assignment leaves him and comes to help Deshawn on defense. Tyler gets an easy 2 points. Providing my first assist. "C'mon, shift on the double team! Don't leave the post open!" Franklins coach is pointing out flaws from the sidelines. The scoreboard shows 12-8 in our favor.
If possible, I'd love to pull away this quarter. Not by a lot, but enough to give them hope. Crushing them is going to be so satisfying to see. Never trash talk to someone as good as me. Our team is already on defense, and I'm picking Deshawn up in the post. He backs into me with all his strength, but I'm fighting not to give any space up.
He fades to the left and puts up a pretty hook shot. He's too far back on his fadeaway to block. His shot was off just a little, and it comes out the rim. I leap up and get the falling rebound. "C'mon, bro! Show him what you can do! Not this bullshit!" Deshawn's little brother isn't helping him. Our point guard is already up the court, and I pass the ball down.
He gets an easy layup, and another 2 points are added to our score. The crowd hasn't stopped booing and cheering since the start of the game. They're some of the best fans I've encountered in a while. They must be bitter about the early knockouts these last few years. I've got 2 assists now after that play. This is going well.
I stay on this side of the court since we're back on defense. They're running plays and screens instead of isolation ball. It's smart. They were succeeding with that before. Going back to something that works is a great strategic move. Deshawn is my defensive assignment, meaning I go where he goes. He hangs around the paint and top of the key, which means I do too.
Franklin uses three different screeners to get their shooting guard open. Their hard work pays off with another three-pointer. Making the score 14-11, they're sticking to it better than I want them to. They have solid three-point shooters to complement their impressive defense. Coach Rodgers doesn't react. All he's doing is relaxing on the sidelines.
My eyes meet Hannah's, and she smiles at me. Giving me a wink and a kiss from afar. This game is for her, and it's our turn to be on offense. I get the ball, and I bring it down the court. Deshawn picks me up at half-court again, and instead of a quick double team, they stay to their assignments. Leaving me with a perfect opportunity for some isolation.
I create a little space between Deshawn and me, and this causes him to close in immediately. I use this to take a moving jump shot from behind the arch, and he leans into me as I release the ball. It flies towards the net, and the refs blow their whistles. The ball hits off the back iron and sinks into the net. It wasn't a perfect swish, but still a beautiful shot.
Giving me a total of 13 points and a free throw for a 4 point play again this game. The crowd boos, and I can't help but smile. We're a little over the halfway mark for the first quarter, and I've already got 13 points, 1 block, 1 steal, 1 rebound, and 2 assists. I'm a scorer primarily, but I do everything at an elite level. It's how I'm built, thanks to the system.
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