Chapter 22: The Preseason Showdown! When Sweat Meets Destiny! Final Part : Finals

I glance down at the lineup I've decided on: Subramaniam at center, Jackson at point guard, Thiru and Fredickson as forwards, and me as shooting guard.

We're down to the last six players, and I can feel the weight of fatigue bearing down on us. The finals are here, and it's all or nothing.

As we face off against the Marlins, Yon gives me a confident smile. "Yo, we meet again, eh?" he says, his eyes sparkling with competitiveness. I respond with a brief, "Meet to claim the title of champions here?" My teammates jump in, their voices filled with determination.

"CAPTAIN!!! We ain't out of this yet!!" they shout. I nod slightly, my eyes fixed on the court. "That's their answer. Looks like it's gonna be a long day of rest after this... if we make it."

Yon chuckles, his eyes glinting with amusement. "True, but let's see who goes to bed first..." I raise my hand, my expression neutral. My teammates shout in protest, "Hey, captain!!" but I remain focused.

The game's about to begin, and I can feel the tension building. The crowd's on the edge of their seats, their cheers and chants filling the air. I take a deep breath, my eyes locked on the court. We're gonna give it everything we've got. This is it. Win or lose, it's all coming down to this moment.

I glance at my teammates, their faces set with determination. We're in this together. We're gonna push ourselves to the limit and see who comes out on top. The whistle blows, and the game begins. It's time to put everything on the line.

The game tips off, and Subramaniam faces off against Yon at center court. But Yon seems almost electric, his eyes shining with excitement as he wins the ball and passes it to his teammate. I'm on high alert, anticipating the play. I manage to steal the ball and pass it to Jackson, who dictates the play with precision.

As we build up the pressure, I can see the Marlins getting more and more into the zone. But I also sense the fatigue creeping in – everyone's giving it their all. Jackson passes to Thiru, who expertly dribbles past the defenders. With his height advantage, Thiru takes the layup and scores easily.

"2 : 0 Daggers Ball!!!" The crowd's on their feet, and the commentators are going wild. "Looks like the match is heating up now!!”

Yon passes to his teammate, but I notice something – he's the only one who seems to be on a different level. He's a real threat, like the Kings. Yon takes a shot, but it hits the ring and bounces back.

"REBOUND!!!" I shout to my teammates. Fredickson grabs the rebound and passes it to Jackson, who dribbles past the defenders with his trademark steady style. He's not as agile as Devinson, but he uses his height to his advantage.

Jackson passes to me, and I see the target in sight. I take the shot, and it goes in perfectly. "SWOOSH!!!!" The crowd goes wild, cheering and chanting my name.

"5 : 0 Daggers Ball!!!" The commentators are ecstatic. "That is the team's ace!!!" I hear Mariam's cheering, and my parents are cheering for me too. The energy's electric, and we're off to a strong start.

Yon dictates the play for the Marlins, his eyes scanning the court as he passes to his teammate. "Riley!!!" he shouts, and Riley, a young player with dyed brown hair and a short style, takes the shot. It goes in, and the crowd cheers.

Yon gives me a confident smile. "I'm not the only one who's the ace of the team..." I smile back at him, acknowledging the challenge.

The scoreboard reads 5-2, Marlins ball. Jackson calls out to his teammates, "Don't mind, focus on the game!!!" His voice is filled with determination, and it seems to boost the team's morale.

The play unfolds, with Jackson passing to Thiru, who gets surrounded by Yon. Thiru quickly passes to Subramaniam, who dribbles past the defenders and passes to me. I'm face-to-face with Riley now, and the commentators are on the edge of their seats. "Looks like the ace is face-off against the Marlins!!”

I lock eyes with Riley, and he makes a rookie mistake – he jumps too early. I fake him out and sprint past him, deciding to take the dunk instead of shooting. The crowd goes wild as the ball goes in.

"7-2 Daggers ball!!!" The commentators are ecstatic. "WHOA!!! The captain is taking it by surprise!!" The other teams are watching us intently, one of them even taking notes.

Yon claps his teammates on, his voice filled with determination. "Hey!!! Keep going, this is not going to stop us!!!" The Marlins respond with a loud "OOOOOO!!!!!", their excitement palpable.

I smile at them and rally my team. "Alright, come on, let's show them how champions play here!!!" The Daggers team responds with a thunderous "OOOOOOO!!!!!", and the crowd goes wild.

The game continues, with Yon dribbling and getting blocked by Subramaniam and Fredickson. He passes to Fadzil, who takes a 3-point shot and sinks it. Fadzil fist-pumps the air, and the crowd erupts.

"7-5 Marlins ball!!!" The commentators are impressed. "Looks like Marlins ain't holding back!!" I take note of the Marlins' players – Riley's agile and a good scorer, Fadzil's a skilled shooter.

The play continues, with Subramaniam passing to Jackson, who gets blocked by two Marlins players. Subramaniam tries to pass, but Yon steals the ball and dribbles towards our side. I try to stop him, but he takes a shot sideways, on the left side of the court, and it goes in. Impressive.

"7-7!!!! Marlins ball!!" The commentators are on the edge of their seats. "It's an instant tie!! What a game!!" We're taken aback by the sudden turn of events.

Subramaniam takes the turn and shouts at me, "CAPTAIN!!!" He unleashes an unexpected move, throwing the ball with incredible force that sends me flying towards the other side of the court. I'm taken aback by his strength, but I quickly regain my composure.

I sprint down the court, catching Yon off guard. "Caleb!!!" he shouts, and Caleb takes off in pursuit. We're neck and neck, but I'm faster. The ball bounces off the board, and I expertly turn it into a pass. I catch the ball again, and Caleb tries to block me, grasping at the ball with all his might.

I manage to outmaneuver him and make the layup, intentionally letting him touch me as I release the ball. The crowd erupts as the ball goes in.

"9-7!!!! Daggers ball!!! Foul for Marlins, 1 ball for Daggers!!!" The commentators are going wild. "What the heck happened!? It was instant plus a foul!!!! What an Ace the Daggers have on their sleeves!!”

The court is electric, with the crowd's energy feeding into the game. I step up to take the free throw, focusing on the basket. The ball goes in, and the crowd goes wild.

"10-7!!!" Everyone's on their feet, shouting "ooOOOOOO!!!!" The Daggers are gaining momentum, and the Marlins are starting to feel the pressure. The game's heating up, and it's anyone's game

Jackson swoops in and steals the ball from Fadzil, passing it to me with precision. I seize the opportunity, unleashing my signature move – a lightning-fast shot that rockets towards the basket.

"From Downtown!!!! It went in!!!" The ball makes a satisfying swish sound as it goes through the hoop. The crowd erupts, and the commentators are on the edge of their seats.

The scoreboard now reads 13-7 in our favor. But the Marlins aren't giving up. Yon dictates the play, passing to Riley, who quickly passes to Caleb. Caleb takes the shot, but it bounces off the rim.

"REBOUND!!!" Both teams shout, and the battle for the rebound begins. Subramaniam, Fredickson, and Thiru jump high, but Yon appears out of nowhere, snatching the ball and pushing it back towards the rim. The crowd gasps as the ball goes in.

"13-9!!! Marlins ball!!!" The crowd goes wild, and the energy in the court becomes even more electric. I'm fully immersed in the game, enjoying the thrill of competition. But my focus remains fixed on winning – I'm not here to make friends.

The intensity of the game is palpable, and every point counts. The Marlins are closing in, but I'm determined to keep the lead. The game is far from over, and I'm ready to give it my all.

The game's been intense for 10 minutes, with both teams trading baskets in a frenetic pace. Despite the slow buildup, the action's been lightning-fast, with every possession crucial. After 20 minutes, the scoreboard reads 98-95 in our favor, but the lead's fragile.

Both teams are running on fumes, their legs heavy with fatigue. Yet, I can see the fire still burning in their eyes – they're not ready to give up yet. Riley makes a play, showcasing his versatility as a two-position player. His ability to adapt instantly is impressive, and I take note of it.

Subramaniam's starting to tire, his movements slowing down. I make a quick decision, calling for a switch. "James, take over!" I shout, and James nods, moving into position. Fredickson shifts to center, and we restart the play.

James passes the ball to Jackson, who dribbles towards the basket. Yon intercepts him, taking the ball, but Jackson's quick thinking allows him to pass it to me. I take the shot, but Riley leaps into the air, blocking it with ease.

"Whoa!!! The ace is being block by the rookie!!" The commentators are going wild, and the crowd's on the edge of their seats.

Riley grabs the ball and dribbles past the defenders, passing to Fadzil. Fadzil takes the shot, and it goes in. The crowd erupts as the scoreboard reads 98-97 in the Marlins' favor.

The game's neck and neck, and every point counts.

The Mariam cheerleading team is cheering us on, their voices and movements synchronized in perfect harmony. Devinson's still out due to fatigue, but I notice Adam warming up on the sidelines. I signal to Devinson to get ready, and he starts warming up, despite his exhaustion. I'll get him in for the last quarter – we need every bit of luck we can get.

Thiru takes a shot, but it bounces back, and we all shout in unison, "REBOUND!!!" Yon jumps towards the ball, but I manage to outmaneuver him and dunk it. The crowd goes wild, their cheers and applause echoing throughout the stadium.

"100-97!!! Daggers ball!!" The commentators are ecstatic. "The captain is the talisman here!!!! Looks like this is not over yet!!" I glance at Yon, who's starting to show signs of fatigue, but he's still smiling – a testament to his determination.

Riley makes a pass to Fadzil, who passes to Caleb. Another player, George, is open, and Caleb shouts "George!!!" George is incredibly agile, and his speed is taking a toll on my teammates. He dribbles past them with ease, and Jackson tries to block his path.

George passes to Caleb, who takes a shot, but James blocks it. The ball fumbles, and James passes to Jackson, who sprints towards the basket. Riley's right on his heels, and we both know this is a crucial play.

The referee whistles, and the play is stopped due to a foul. Yon passes to Caleb, who dribbles past James and takes a shot – it goes in.

"100-99!!!! Marlins ball!!!" The game is neck and neck, and every point counts. This preseason finals is intense, and I wonder if the real league games will be just as thrilling.

We're at halftime, and the score is 100-99 in our favor. Our team members are exhausted, steam rising from their heads as they take the bench. Frankie, Adam, and Devinson are ready to go, but I tell them to wait.

"Maintain our team – got it?" I say, and Frankie nods in agreement. "I'm pretty sure they'll change," he says, but I shake my head. "Nope, look at them – they're tired, and Yon is the only one relaxing. They're waiting for us to go down.”

Frankie grins. "We have to see that then, captain... see what I told you – if you're not around, I'm pretty sure our team ain't going to win this." I raise an eyebrow, skeptical. "Uh... huh... I doubt about it…"

We discuss our strategy and formation for the last quarter, planning an all-out attack until the end. The game's far from over, and we're ready to give it our all.

We're executing our plan, taking things slowly to prevent the Marlins from gaining momentum. Yon passes to Fadzil, who takes a shot, but Thiru blocks it with ease. Thiru passes to Jackson, who passes to James, and James sprints towards the basket, taking a shot that bounces off the rim.

"REBOUND!!!" we shout in unison, and Fredickson grabs the ball, passing it to me. I take the shot, but Yon and Riley block me. I fake them out, sprint past them, and pass to Thiru.

This passing game is testing the Marlins' patience, and it's working. Yon takes the bait, aiming at Jackson, who's instantly fooled. Jackson passes to me, and I take the shot – it goes in.

"102-99!!! Daggers ball!!" The crowd erupts, cheering and chanting our name. Yon tries to retaliate with the same strategy, but I'm patient, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

I go one-on-one with Yon, and he passes to the Caleb, who takes a shot that's blocked by Thiru. Thiru passes to Jackson, who dictates the game's tempo with his annoying passing style.

The game continues like this until the last quarter, when we switch members. Devinson takes the point guard position, Frankie plays center, Adam takes shooting guard, and Thiru and I play forward. From this moment on, the whole league will know us as the most aggressive team in the region.

I'm giving it my all, dribbling past Yon, who smiles at me. "About time..." he says. I take the lead, making a layup, and pass to Frankie, who dunks it.

"104-99!!! Daggers ball!!" The crowd goes wild, cheering and whistling.

Riley tries to dribble past us, but Devinson takes him down. I sense a rivalry between them, and it's palpable. "Not bad, but about time, eh..." Riley says to Devinson, who's mocking him. "Well, I had a lot of games…"

The one-on-one between Devinson and Riley is intense, but Devinson passes to Adam, who takes a shot that goes in.

"106-99!!!! Daggers ball!!!" The Marlins are struggling to keep up, and Yon passes to Caleb, who passes to George. George tries to take on Devinson, but he's no match. George passes to Yon, who passes to Caleb, but Frankie's towering presence blocks the shot.

Frankie block the ball in a fly swatter style, and pass to myself. I dribble past the Marlins and slam dunk it, shaking the backboard. The crowd's on their feet, and we're dominating the game.

In the final seconds, I notice Yon pulling away, exhausted, and I realize the game has ended. The scoreboard reads "106-99!!!! Daggers win!!!" The crowd erupts, cheering and whistling as we celebrate our victory.

Yon approaches us, his hands raised in a gesture of respect, and we all shake hands. We've won the preseason match, and the atmosphere is electric.

The fans rush onto the court, and they're lifted Devinson onto their shoulders. He's the MVP of the match, and they're cheering his name. We throw him up and down like a trampoline, laughing and having a great time. Sadie jumps towards him, hugging him tightly, and the others can't help but feel a little jealous.

Thiru, leading the pack, pulls Devinson out of Sadie's arms, and it's an all-out beatdown. "DEATH TO COUPLES!!!!!" they chant, laughing and teasing Devinson.

I stand up, grinning, and Sylvia appears behind me, a sly smile on her face. "Nice play, but... you could hold down a bit, okay? You know that your superpower is like no one else..." She pinches me on the back, and I feel a surge of embarrassment.

Yeah, a reminder of who I am –a guy who is training like no one else, and I have to make sure that no one knows about it.