rivalry begins
634 Words
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ACT II, SCENE II
Setting:
North Ridge Junior High Gym, Friday night. The bleachers are packed with students, teachers, and parents. A banner above the court reads: “CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT: GIRLS VS. BOYS.” There’s a buzz in the air—the whole school has shown up.
At Rise:
Both teams warm up on opposite sides. The boys are loud and confident. The girls are focused and intense. Music blasts. The scoreboard is lit and set to 0–0.
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COACH DAWSON (on mic):
Welcome, North Ridge! Tonight, our boys team takes on the girls in a full-length, four-quarter match—first team to 100 wins! Let’s keep it clean and play with heart.
(Crowd cheers. Ref blows whistle. Tip-off. Game begins.)
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First Quarter:
Narration & Action Flow:
The girls come out hot. Ava drains two threes in the first two minutes. Jayla steals and scores on a fast break.
Tyler takes time to get going. He passes more than he shoots, but slowly gets into rhythm.
By the end of the quarter, it’s 25–20 in favor of the girls.
SIDELINE (Marcus and Tyler):
MARCUS: They came to play.
TYLER (nodding): Yeah. But so did we.
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Second Quarter:
The boys start pressing. Tyler hits his first three. Then a second. The crowd gets loud.
Ava counters with a smooth drive and finish. The game gets physical—bodies hitting the floor, tough rebounds, but still clean.
Halftime buzzer sounds: Boys 47 – Girls 44
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HALFTIME – LOCKER ROOM
COACH PATEL (to boys):
This is your court. But if you think they’re backing down, you’re wrong. You want this? Lock in. Play smart. Play together.
TYLER (to team):
Let’s win this. For all of us.
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Third Quarter:
Ava and Tyler are now guarding each other. Every possession is a duel.
Ava hits a step-back three over Tyler—crowd goes wild.
Tyler answers with a coast-to-coast layup and a quick steal for a dunk. His first dunk. The crowd explodes.
JAYLA (to Ava):
You sure you don’t like him?
AVA:
Shut up and pass me the ball.
By the end of the third: Boys 73 – Girls 72
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Fourth Quarter:
Exhaustion sets in. Both teams play with grit.
Ava is double-teamed often. Jayla steps up with big shots.
Marcus grabs key rebounds. Tyler scores off a backdoor cut, taking the lead.
Final Two Minutes:
Score: 95–95.
The gym is deafening. Students are on their feet.
TYLER (catching breath):
You good?
AVA (nodding):
You’re sweating a lot for someone winning.
TYLER:
That’s respect. You made us play our best.
AVA:
Good. Now lose.
Ava drives, scores. Girls up 97–95. Boys answer with a quick three—98–97.
Last possession:
Girls try to run a final play. Ava goes iso, spins—Tyler blocks her. Marcus grabs it. Fast break. Tyler trails, receives the bounce pass…
SLAMS IT.
BUZZER. FINAL SCORE: BOYS 100 – GIRLS 97.
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After the game:
JAYLA (exhausted):
We almost had ’em.
AVA (nodding):
Yeah. But it was a good game.
(Tyler walks over. They both breathe hard, sweaty and smiling.)
TYLER:
You had me worried for 99 of those points.
AVA:
You earned that one. Barely.
TYLER:
I didn’t win it alone. You made me better.
AVA:
You’re leaving Sunday?
TYLER (nods):
Yeah. Early.
AVA (quiet):
Then I’m glad I got to guard you one last time.
TYLER:
Same.
(They bump fists. She starts to walk away.)
TYLER (calling after her):
Hey Ava?
AVA (turning):
Yeah?
TYLER:
Don’t stop shooting.
AVA (smiles faintly):
Don’t stop passing.
(He laughs. She turns, joins her team. Tyler stays behind a second longer, looking up at the scoreboard. The glow of the win doesn’t outshine what he’s leaving behind.)
BLACKOUT.
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- Writer
