The moment the Bruins entered the gym, the atmosphere was electric. Chants echoed through the arena, split right down the middle — half for UCLA, half for the visiting team: their long-standing rivals, the Oregon Hawks.
Ryan stood beside Coach Reilly, scanning the court. "They're loud tonight."
Reilly chuckled. "They always are when it's Hawks vs. Bruins."
The team was stretching, focused. Jordan was locked in, headphones around his neck, bouncing the ball rhythmically. Zay was focused on his shot, Wes adjusting his knee pads. Everyone could feel it — this game meant something.
Not just points. Not just standings.
Pride.
First Quarter – Punch for Punch
From the first whistle, it was war.
Jordan drove into the lane, dished to Wes for a dunk. The Hawks answered with a corner three. The Bruins pulled ahead by five, only for Oregon to tie it again.
It was fast. Physical. Every possession earned, every point battled for.
"Keep rotating!" Ryan shouted from the sideline. "Communicate!"
The players hustled, but the Hawks weren't giving an inch. Their star forward — Dom Lawson — was electric, scoring 9 in the first quarter alone.
By the end of the first, it was 20–20. Nobody blinked.
Second Quarter – Testing Limits
Zay caught fire early in the second with back-to-back threes, but Lawson and the Hawks hit right back. The pace was relentless. Midway through the quarter, Coach Reilly called time.
Ryan huddled the players up. "They're running you ragged. We're falling for every misdirection. Eyes up. Breathe. Play our game."
They returned to the court with renewed focus, but the Hawks weren't just skilled — they were disciplined. Every screen, every switch — efficient.
By halftime: 38–38.
Ryan and Reilly exchanged a glance as they headed into the locker room.
"We're gonna need everyone," Reilly muttered.
Ryan nodded. "Bench too."
Halftime – Adjustments and Belief
The locker room was quiet. Not out of fear — focus.
Ryan stepped forward.
"You're not playing bad. But we're letting them dictate tempo. And in the fourth, when legs get tired, that matters."
He turned to the bench players seated at the far end. "We're gonna need you. Every single one of you."
Tony, Jake, Darnell, Marcus, Eli — their eyes lit up. They nodded.
Jordan asked, "You think they're ready?"
Ryan smiled. "I know they are."
Third Quarter – Still Deadlocked
Both teams came out hungry.
The Bruins led by five after a Jordan steal-and-score. Then Lawson responded with a contested three that silenced the home crowd.
The two sides traded buckets. Darnell came in for a brief defensive shift and locked up Oregon's secondary scorer, drawing praise from the crowd and even a fist bump from Jordan.
But the score remained tight.
At the buzzer: 60–60.
Fourth Quarter – Fresh Legs, Fierce Hearts
With seven minutes left, the game was still tied — 68–68.
And both teams were exhausted.
Sweat poured. Hands on hips. Every breath felt heavier.
Coach Reilly looked to Ryan. "What do you think?"
Ryan nodded. "Time to flip the game."
He turned to the bench. "Tony, Marcus, Eli, Darnell — you're up. Bring the energy. Pressure their guards, box out, keep the ball moving. You've got this."
The crowd buzzed as the second unit checked in.
Oregon looked confused. Their starters were dragging — and now, UCLA was throwing in fresh energy?
Boom. Eli hit a wide-open corner three.
Swish. Marcus with a put-back after a missed layup.
Clap. Darnell caused a turnover, diving for the ball like it was a championship ring.
UCLA went up by six.
Then eight.
The energy shifted — permanently.
Oregon tried to respond, but the bench players suffocated them. Ryan stood the whole time, shouting direction, encouraging, calling out screens before they happened.
Final minute: 80–74 Bruins.
The final horn: 82–76.
Victory.
Post-Game – Ryan's Pep Talk
In the locker room, sweaty jerseys and tired grins filled the space. Water bottles clinked, towels were tossed, and laughter echoed.
But the energy paused when Ryan stepped forward.
He looked at the bench players first.
"You didn't just hold the lead — you won this game."
They nodded, proud but humble.
Then he looked at the rest of the team.
"And that's what a team does. You lift each other. You trust each other. You push through when your legs are heavy and your lungs are burning."
He glanced around the room.
"This season isn't gonna be easy. We'll lose more. We'll be doubted. But when I look around this room, I don't just see talent. I see unity."
He smirked. "That's why we're gonna win."
The team clapped. Jordan let out a "Let's go, Coach Whitmore!"
And just like that, Ryan had found his voice. Not just as a leader on the sidelines — but as someone the players would run through walls for.
Outside, Ivy waited for him.
He walked over, sweat still on his brow, but his smile calm.
"You were amazing," she said.
"They were amazing," Ryan replied, glancing back at the locker room.
And deep inside, he knew: something special was building in West L.A.