CHAPTER 34 — "The Momentum Shift"
B.Y.G League Finals – Game 3: Series tied 1–1
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PAGE 1
Opening panel: The arena's alive. Fans from both cities pack the stands. Signs, chants, energy.
COMMENTATOR (off-screen):
"Tonight's game could very well swing this entire series. It's Game 3, and the building is rocking."
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PAGE 2
Rockaway's locker room. Coach delivers the message.
COACH (calm but firm):
"Game 2 was a lesson. Game 3? That's a statement. We play our game. We dictate pace. Let's go take what's ours."
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PAGE 3
Game begins. Rockaway comes out blazing. Picasso drills two early threes. Mitch gets a block then assists Teddy in transition.
COMMENTATOR:
"That's Rockaway basketball! Defense. Pace. Unselfish play."
SCORE:
Rockaway City 17 – Channel City 8
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PAGE 4
Channel City responds. Tyson bullies his way into the paint. DeShawn gets hot from midrange.
DAMIEN (to teammates):
"Keep punching. Break their rhythm."
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PAGE 5
Soulo puts on a clinic — behind-the-back to Eli, finishes a tough layup, and picks Damien's pocket for a coast-to-coast bucket.
SOULO (smirking):
"Y'all forgot who really run this."
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PAGE 6
Halftime: Rockaway up by 6. Channel frustrated but focused.
COACH WALLACE (Channel):
"Don't try to match their style. Impose ours. We're the ones that wear teams down."
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PAGE 7
3rd quarter: Battle intensifies. Bodies hitting the floor. Quan with a huge block on Tyson. Crowd erupts.
COMMENTATOR:
"Quan just sent that man back to Channel City!"
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PAGE 8
Tabar starts heating up. Spin move to a dunk. Stepback jumper. Then a fast-break alley-oop from Picasso.
TABAR (fired up):
"This is what I do."
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PAGE 9
Late 4th. Channel within 4. Damien tries to will them back — hits a big three, then gets to the line. Closes gap to 1.
SCORE:
Rockaway 82 – Channel 81
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PAGE 10
Final 20 seconds. Rockaway inbounds. Channel traps. Soulo breaks it, finds Leo in the corner.
SWISH.
COMMENTATOR:
"LEO ICE COLD!"
FINAL SCORE:
Rockaway City 85 – Channel City 81
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PAGE 11
After the game: Rockaway huddled at center court, arms raised. Channel walks off tight-jawed, plotting.
PICASSO (to Magic):
"3–1 sounds nice."
MAGIC (grins):
"So does 'Champions.'"
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NEXT — Chapter 35: "Push Comes to Shove"
Will Rockaway close it out in Game 4… or will Channel fight like cornered dogs?