4th Quarter – 7:58 Remaining
Thunderhawks 52 – Ridgewood Lynx 40
The Middle School gym felt like a pressure cooker. The roar of the earlier quarters had softened into a tense, collective silence an audience on the verge of either despair or eruption. Every breath, every movement, every squeak of a sneaker echoed louder now. No phones up. No distracted eyes. Just hearts pounding and eyes locked on the hardwood.
The scoreboard above flashed red: 7:58 remaining.
Charlotte Graves bent low as the ball was inbounded. Her palms brushed across her shorts, not just for grip but ritual. Her golden eyes glinted beneath sweat-soaked bangs.
"Let's close it out. Lock in," she growled, voice low and firm. Her teammates heard it. Felt it.
This is it. No more pacing. We finish this our way.
