CHAPTER 8 — "Tryout Tensions"
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PAGE 1
Wide panel of the Rockaway Arena Training Complex, buzzing with life. Banners of the five wards hang proudly. Players from across Rockaway warm up, stretch, and shoot. The 10 main characters stand out.
NARRATION:
The B.Y.G Summer League is over… but the real test begins now.
NARRATION (BOTTOM):
Rockaway City's B.Y.G League tryouts. Only the best make it. History waits for no one.
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PAGE 2
Players gather at center court. A B.Y.G League Scout in a suit with a clipboard steps forward.
SCOUT:
"You're here because you dominated the Summer League. But the B.Y.G League is a different beast. Regular season. Postseason. Travel. Pressure."
SCOUT (continued):
"Only ten make the Rockaway City roster. Show us why it should be you."
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PAGE 3
Montage-style:
Tabar throws down a power dunk over two defenders.
Soulo and Eli run a perfect give-and-go into a flashy assist.
Mitch swats a shot into the glass and stares down the shooter.
Picasso spins into a fadeaway jumper.
Leo pulls up from deep.
Teddy and Quan clash in a brutal post-up drill.
Magic skying for a rebound and kicking out fast.
Sticks hits back-to-back threes.
NARRATION:
From the wards… to one city… to one team.
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PAGE 4
Players sit, catching their breath. The scout watches closely. Tension crackles.
TABAR (to Leo):
"You ready for this?"
LEO:
"Always. You?"
TABAR (grinning):
"Born ready."
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PAGE 5
Final cuts are posted on a board. A moment of silence as the crowd gathers. Then cheers erupt. All 10 main characters made the Rockaway City team.
SCOUT:
"Congratulations. You're Rockaway's ten. This is the team that's going to war in the B.Y.G League."
SCOUT (CONTINUED):
"You're talented… but untested. No one thinks Rockaway's ready to win a chip. Prove them wrong."
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PAGE 6
Cut to each player in their own space later that day:
Tabar looking at his old Farfield jersey.
Leo scrolling through Summer League highlights.
Teddy and Mitch training in a dark weight room.
Soulo and Eli jogging through Garrison streets at dusk.
Picasso sketching plays on a whiteboard.
Magic icing his knee, focused.
Sticks and Quan hooping at a packed Lyndon park court.
NARRATION:
The roster is set. The real season begins. But across city lines, eyes are watching...
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PAGE 7 — FINAL PAGE
Cut to a mystery team in Channel City's Dockside Ward. A tall figure stands with arms crossed, watching Rockaway highlights on a projector.
MYSTERY PLAYER:
"So those are the ten?"
VOICE FROM DARKNESS:
"They think this is their year. Let's make it unforgettable."
TEXT TEASE (BOTTOM):
NEXT: "Enemies of the East" — The scouting eyes of rival cities turn to Rockaway… and not everyone plans to watch them rise.