The semifinal gym was half the size of the quarterfinal arena but twice as loud.
Leo stood at the entrance, his knee wrapped in a fresh compression sleeve, his jersey already damp with sweat. The crowd was a wall of noise—students from both schools, parents, scouts, fans who'd come to watch the best teams in the country battle for a spot in the final.
Their opponent was the second seed. A team from Texas. A team that had lost only once all season. A team that had beaten Crestmont in a preseason tournament four months ago, when Leo was still on crutches, when Park was still learning to be captain, when Kai was still learning to trust.
“We owe them,” Park said beside him.
“We don't owe anyone anything,” Leo replied. “We just have to win.”
“Same thing.”
“Different thing.”
---
The warm
