CHAPTER 27 — "The City With Something to Prove"
Rockaway City vs Inwood City — Game 1 (B.Y.G Playoff Semifinals)
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PAGE 1
Opening panel: The lights go dark in the arena. A slow spotlight hits center court. The crowd roars as the Rockaway City squad walks out in formation—10 deep.
COMMENTATOR (off-screen):
"They've been watching. Waiting. Dominating in the shadows. But tonight... the #1 seed steps into the spotlight."
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PAGE 2
Opposite side: Inwood City huddled up—quiet, focused. Taye Robinson and Jalen exchange a nod. Fenway and Oldham wards ready to shoot the lights out.
JALEN:
"They ain't played us yet. Time to shake the mountain."
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PAGE 3
Tip-off. Quan wins it clean. Soulo controls the rock. The crowd rises with every dribble.
SOULO (smirking):
"Showtime."
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PAGE 4
First play. Picasso comes off a pindown screen. Catch. Release. Wet.
COMMENTATOR:
"PICASSO FROM DEEP! That's how you start a war!"
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PAGE 5
Inwood counters with elite shotmaking—Jalen dishes, Taye fires from the logo. Splash.
TAYE:
"This the sniper zone. You ain't safe here."
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PAGE 6
Midway 2nd quarter. Rockaway's bench unit checks in. Teddy swats a shot into the 3rd row, Eli hits a transition floater, Leo skies for a putback dunk.
COMMENTATOR:
"Rockaway doesn't just sub in… they unleash!"
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PAGE 7
3rd quarter. Mitch works the low post, drawing doubles and kicking out to Sticks, who hits two contested threes back-to-back.
MITCH:
"Pick your poison."
STICKS:
"Hope y'all hungry."
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PAGE 8
4th quarter. Close game. Inwood up 2 with 3 minutes left. Tabar takes over. Steal. Fast break. Eurostep finish. Next possession: and-1 slam.
TABAR (yelling):
"This our CITY. OUR TIME!"
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PAGE 9
Final 30 seconds. Rockaway up 1. Inwood's last chance. Taye comes off a screen, but Picasso fights through it and blocks the shot!
COMMENTATOR:
"PICASSO WITH THE REJECTION! Defense wins the opener!"
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PAGE 10
Final panel: Rockaway huddled up, sweat and grit in their eyes, no celebrating—just locked in.
TABAR (to team):
"One down. Long road ahead. Stay sharp."
FINAL SCORE:
Rockaway City 95 – Inwood City 92
(Rockaway leads series 1-0)
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NEXT UP — Chapter 28: "Trigger Discipline"
The Snipers regroup. Rockaway better stay locked in…