CHAPTER 9 — "The League Begins"
PAGE 1
Wide shot of a luxurious indoor arena—brand new, massive scoreboard, roaring crowd. The B.Y.G League is officially underway.
NARRATION (TOP):
25 years strong. Five cities. Ten elite players. One shot at history.
NARRATION (BOTTOM):
The B.Y.G League regular season has begun—and Rockaway City has never been more dangerous.
PAGE 2
Press conference scene. The B.Y.G League Commissioner stands at a podium with the B.Y.G League logo behind him. Flashing cameras. Reporters hold out mics.
COMMISSIONER:
"This year marks the 25th anniversary of the B.Y.G League. Here's how it'll go down..."
Text box layout of the rules beside his speech:
8 regular season games.
Top record gets a first-round playoff bye.
Playoffs & Finals are best of 5.
Regular Season and Postseason Awards.
Games are 48 minutes—4 quarters, 12 minutes each. Overtime: 5 minutes.
COMMISSIONER (CONT'D):
"And for the first time in a long time, all eyes are on Rockaway City."
PAGE 3
Cut to the Rockaway locker room. The depth chart is displayed on a whiteboard in the background.
DEPTH CHART:
Starting 5:
PG: Soulo
SG: Picaso
SF: Tabar
PF: Mitch
C: Quan
Bench:
Sixth Man: Leo
PG: Eli
SG: Sticks
PF: Magic
C: Teddy
Tabar adjusts his sleeve, ready to lead.
TABAR:
"Time to show the world what Rockaway really is."
SOULO (grinning):
"And they're gonna hate it."
PAGE 4–5
Warmups before the first game of the season. The crowd's electric. Rockaway's squad is locked in—highlight panel on each starter doing their signature thing.
Soulo: quick crossovers
Picaso: draining corner threes
Tabar: throwing down a dunk
Mitch: skyhook in the paint
Quan: swatting shots in warmups
COMMENTATOR:
"Farfield, Crenshaw, Avalon, Lyndon, Garrison... they've joined forces. This might be the most complete team Rockaway has ever seen."
PAGE 6
The opposing team enters—Channel City. Physical, gritty, no-nonsense squad.
COMMENTATOR:
"But tonight's challenge? Channel City's Bruisers. Known for hard screens, tough defense, and punishing drives. This ain't gonna be pretty."
PAGE 7–8
Game starts. First quarter unfolds fast and intense.
Soulo sets the tone with a steal and transition layup.
Tabar finishes a spinning dunk through contact.
Mitch bodies a big man for a second-chance bucket.
Picaso drops a quick three in transition.
Quan shuts down the paint.
COMMENTATOR:
"Rockaway blending power and precision like pros!"
PAGE 9
Bench unit checks in late second quarter.
Leo throws down a fast-break slam.
Eli breaks ankles and hits a floater.
Sticks catches fire from deep.
Teddy hits a pick-and-pop three.
Magic makes a clutch block and rebound.
NARRATION:
Even the second unit is dangerous. There's no weakness.
PAGE 10
Halftime score: Rockaway 54 – Channel City 48.
Coach goes over the game plan on a digital screen.
COACH:
"Stay locked in. They're trying to rattle us. Stick to our pace, trust your reads."
TABAR:
"Let's finish this the Rockaway way."
PAGE 11–12
Second half action. Channel City pushes back with physical play, forcing turnovers and driving hard.
But Rockaway adjusts:
Soulo changes pace, slicing through defenders.
Mitch shuts down the post.
Tabar hits a tough pull-up over two defenders.
COMMENTATOR:
"Rockaway taking the hits—and hitting back harder."
PAGE 13
Final minutes. Game still tight.
Leo gets a huge steal and dunk.
Picaso drains a dagger three.
Quan blocks the final shot to seal it.
SFX: BUZZER
FINAL SCORE: Rockaway 101 – Channel City 96
NARRATION:
One game down. Seven to go. But this? This felt like a statement.
PAGE 14
Post-game locker room. Sweat. Smiles. Purpose.
SOULO:
"That's one. But we ain't satisfied."
TABAR:
"The road's long. And it only gets tougher from here."
PAGE 15
Cut to the crowd filing out... and two shadowy figures in the stands watching the game, arms folded. One jots something in a notebook.
MYSTERIOUS VOICE 1:
"They're legit."
MYSTERIOUS VOICE 2:
"But let's see how they handle Jam City next..."
NEXT CHAPTER TEASE:
The bruises from game one are still fresh—but there's no time to rest. The high-flying phenoms of Jam City await. Dunks. Blocks. Clashes in the sky.
NEXT: "SKYLINE WARS"