Adrian came at Marcus immediately. He drove hard to the rim scored quickly and pointed toward the stands as the crowd erupted. Marcus did not react. He brought the ball up calmly read the floor and buried a jumper that brushed the net.
The duel was on.
They met again and again. Adrian played to the noise spinning flashing breaking into fast breaks. Marcus answered with restraint and edge. He defended with purpose cut through traffic and scored with a sharpness that did not ask for approval.
By halftime the arena was split. Cheers rose for Adrian the polished star. Other voices pushed back calling for Marcus the man who refused to fade.
In the stands Lena's parents clapped each time Adrian scored. Lena leaned forward her hands clenched every time Marcus touched the ball.
The locker room fell silent at the break.
Players whispered casting glances at Marcus who sat alone his head lowered his hands locked together. Outside the crowd rolled like a restless tide. Somewhere down the hall Adrian's laughter carried loud and confident.
Hammond stood at the center of the room leaning on his cane.
"You hear them out there" he said. "Some want you to fail. Some want to see if you are real. That choice is yours. You can shrink and let him take it. Or you can take what is already yours. No one hands it over."
Marcus lifted his head. The doubt was gone. What remained was decision.
When the second half began the noise crashed back in. Adrian walked out smiling waving soaking in the cheers. Marcus followed quieter slower each step grounded.
The ball went up.
Adrian struck first again slipping past a defender and hammering home another dunk. He slapped his chest pointed at Marcus and mouthed words meant only for him.
Marcus nodded once.
On the next possession Marcus called for the ball. The crowd hushed. Adrian dropped low ready. Marcus dribbled once twice drove left then spun back right and pulled up.
Clean.
The arena exploded.
From there it became war. Adrian pressed with speed and force. Marcus answered with patience and strength. Adrian's baskets were declarations. Marcus's were confirmations.
By the middle of the third sweat poured from both of them. Adrian's smile faded. The crowd felt it. For the first time the star was being met step for step.
Lena's father muttered angrily each time Marcus scored. Lena stayed quiet but her eyes never left the floor.
Then came the moment.
Adrian had the ball at the top of the key. The chant rose. He blew past a defender and launched toward the rim.
Marcus met him.
Bodies collided. Marcus swatted the ball clean sending it flying.
The building shook.
Adrian landed hard staring. Marcus turned and ran back without expression.
The sound shifted. Whispers spread. A chant started then grew.
Marcus.
By the fourth quarter the score was tied. Jerseys clung heavy with sweat. Breathing came hard. This was no longer about skill. It was about will.
Hammond leaned close. "This is where it breaks. Or holds. Do not bend."
Marcus nodded.
The final quarter opened like a storm. Adrian fired back with everything he had. Threes. Drives. Pressure. Marcus answered every time. A jumper. A stop. A cut to the rim. The crowd stood caught between flash and resolve.
With less than a minute left the score tied again the ball found Marcus.
Silence.
Adrian crouched in front of him eyes burning. "This is my court."
Marcus dribbled once steady. "Not tonight."
He drove right was cut off spun left rose and released.
The arc was high. Time slowed.
The net snapped.
The arena exploded.
Marcus turned and set his stance. Adrian rushed the inbound forced the drive. Marcus stayed with him body tight hand up.
The shot clanged.
The buzzer sounded.
For a breath everything stopped.
Then the noise came crashing down. Fans screamed Marcus's name. Arms lifted. The underdog had not survived. He had won.
Adrian stood still jaw set eyes dark. Losing did not sit well on him.
Lena clapped openly now ignoring her parents. Her smile was proud and unafraid.
Marcus stood at center court breathing hard. He knew this was more than a game.
A rivalry had been born.
And it was not finished.