CHAPTER 29 — "Pressure Points"
Rockaway City vs Inwood City – Game 2 (Rockaway leads series 1-0)
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PAGE 1
Opening panel: A high-angle shot of the packed arena. Inwood's navy and silver colors ripple across the crowd. Signs reading "Sniper Zone" flash everywhere.
COMMENTATOR (off-screen):
"After falling in Game 1, Inwood's back is against the wall. Let's see if they answer… or fold."
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PAGE 2
Opening play: Oldham Ward's Reign Winters hits a deep transition three. Net barely moves.
REIGN:
"You thought we were done after one loss? Nah."
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PAGE 3
Mid-1st quarter. Rockaway's offense looks clunky. Soulo gets doubled early. Tabar passes out of the post but Inwood rotates perfectly—stolen.
COMMENTATOR:
"Inwood's precision on both ends is elite tonight."
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PAGE 4
Sticks tries to create off the dribble. Inwood's Greystone Ward defender forces a tough stepback. Miss. Rebound Inwood.
INWOOD BENCH:
"Control the tempo! Make 'em play slow!"
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PAGE 5
Second quarter. Tabar dunks hard in transition to wake Rockaway up, but Reign answers with another deep three. Crowd explodes.
REIGN (talking to Tabar):
"Even you can't guard everywhere."
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PAGE 6
Inwood's spacing creates driving lanes. Fenway Ward's crafty PG lays in a scoop through traffic. Score: 41–32, Inwood leads at the half.
COACH D. (Rockaway):
"We're playing their game… flip it."
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PAGE 7
3rd quarter. Rockaway goes on a 7–0 run—Eli with a reverse lay, Leo hits a transition three, Teddy with a block into a fast break.
LEO:
"Run! We're not built to slow dance!"
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PAGE 8
But Inwood's Greystone SG silences the run. Hits back-to-back threes off screens. Rockaway trails 62–53 at the end of the 3rd.
COMMENTATOR:
"Discipline and distance shooting—Inwood's recipe tonight."
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PAGE 9
Final minutes. Tabar tries to go takeover mode, scores 6 straight… but Reign ices it with a dagger from 30 feet out. Crowd in a frenzy.
FINAL SCORE:
Inwood City 87 – Rockaway City 77
(Series tied 1–1)
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PAGE 10
Last panel: Tabar walking to the tunnel, locked in. No frustration—just focus. Behind him, Inwood players celebrate like it's a championship.
TABAR (thought bubble):
"You earned that one. But we're just getting started."
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NEXT — Chapter 30: "No Margin for Error"
Game 3. The tie is broken, and a statement will be made.