The national tournament bracket was released on a Monday, and Leo studied it from his couch, his knee propped on a pillow, his laptop balanced on his stomach.
Crestmont was the sixth seed. Not the favorite. Not the underdog. Somewhere in the middle, where expectations were dangerous and upsets were possible.
Their first match was against the eleventh seed—a team from Florida that had lost only five matches all season. Leo had watched their film twice. They were fast, aggressive, and undisciplined. They made errors at critical moments. They argued with referees. They beat themselves as often as they beat their opponents.
“We can win this,” Leo muttered.
“Talking to yourself?” Kai stood in the doorway, a duffel bag over his shoulder, his practice clothes already soaked with sweat.
“I'm
