The Duel of Aces

"Jay’s just warming up! You’ll see."

(Scene: A School Playground, somewhere in Hong Kong, 7:30 AM.)

(The Playground hums with energy. Students cluster in groups—chatting, playing volleyball, and watching basketball games unfold. On one side of the court, two juniors shoot hoops. On the other, a group of seniors commands the scene, locked in an intense 3-on-3 match.)

(A crowd of early arrivals lines the sidelines, while others watch from classroom windows. All eyes are on the seniors, where KUNG, the charismatic Captain of the school basketball team, and YOU, the Ace of the team, are putting on a show.)

Kin: (bouncing the ball on the sideline) Come on, come on. We’re up next!

(KIN, a cheerful and eager Junior, watches the game with wide-eyed excitement. His love for basketball and easy-going nature have earned him a rare invite to play with the seniors. His childhood friend, JAY, in his school uniform, walks up, surveying the court with a calm, steady gaze.)

Jay: Kin, so this is why you’ve been getting to school early. Playing with the seniors, huh? How’s it going?

Kin: We lost the last game, but we’re up next. What about you? What brings you here so early?

Jay: Cindy made cupcakes and told me to meet her at the canteen. Said they’re her best yet.

Kin: Cupcakes, huh? Good luck with that—I’m not risking food poisoning.

(They laugh, drawing the attention of SING, one of your teammates.)

Sing: Hey, Kin, who’s this?

Kin: This is Jay, my basketball buddy. The one I told you about.

Sing: Oh, that Jay? The one everyone’s been talking about?

(Sing calls out to Captain Kung on the court.)

Sing: Kung! This is the guy!

Kung: (pausing mid-play) What guy?

Sing: The junior Ace—Jay!

(The game pauses as the seniors gather around Jay, curiosity lighting their faces. You stay back, observing quietly, sizing him up.)

Kung: (extending a hand) Welcome. I’ve heard a lot about you. Care to show us what you’ve got?

Jay: I’d love to, but my friend’s waiting for me downstairs.

Frankie: (grinning) Sounds like someone’s got a date.

Kin: Yeah, Jay’s in BIG trouble if he’s late.

Kung: Come on, just a quick game. Five points. Wai’s curious to see what you can do.

(Your name is mentioned, and you give Jay a small nod—a silent challenge, both inviting and testing.)

Jay: (checking his watch) Alright, five points. But Cindy’s going to kill me.

(Kin sneaks onto the court with a mischievous grin.)

Sing: (grabbing Kin by the collar) Hey, shorty, who says you’re playing?

Kin: Why not? Jay needs me to unlock his full potential.

Sing: Oh, sure. Everyone needs you to unlock his potential. Who are you, Master Yoda?

(MAX, an easygoing senior, chuckles and steps aside.)

Max: Let Kin sub in for me. I’ll just watch.

Kin: Thanks, Max. You’re the best!

Sing: Smooth talker.

(The teams are set: Frankie, Jay, and Kin versus Kung, you, and Sing. The game begins.)

(Without hesitation, you take the ball and dart past Jay with lightning speed, slicing through his defense for a clean layup. The crowd erupts as your team surges ahead, 1-0.)

Sing: (grinning at Kin) Your friend’s not living up to the hype. Maybe he’s only good against juniors.

Kin: Jay’s just warming up! You’ll see.

(Jay moves cautiously, testing the waters. He tries to weave past you, but you’re a step ahead, shadowing his every move. His hesitation forces a desperate pass that Kung easily intercepts. Your team capitalizes, scoring again to make it 2-0.)

Kung: (to you, mid-play) Too easy, Wai. The kid can’t keep up with you.

(You nod but stay focused. Something about Jay’s play feels off—too careful, too restrained. Then you overhear the conversation between Sing and Kin.)

Sing: What happened to your friend, Kin? He’s not as quick as they say.

Kin: Jay’s not slow—his leather shoes would get ruined if he goes too fast!

Sing: Leather shoes, huh? Now that’s a new excuse.

Kin: Jay’s dad will kill him if he scuffs them. They’re new.

(You smirk, the puzzle pieces falling into place. Kung bursts out laughing too, clearly delighted by the revelation.)

Kung: A-ha, the shoes! That explains it all!

(He calls out to Jay with a grin.)

Kung: Hey, Jay, don’t tell me you’re holding back for the shoes. Play like you mean it!

Jay: (smiling, unfazed) Wai’s too fast for me anyway.

(The game heats up. You and Kung both drain a mid-range jumper, pushing the score to 4-0. Jay’s team is one point away from losing. Suddenly, Jay shifts gears. He dishes a perfect bounce pass to Frankie, who scores.)

(You notice the change. Jay’s movements become fluid, his passes sharper. He sets Frankie up for another basket, making it 4-2.)

Sing: Not bad. The kid’s got vision.

(Jay starts playing with flair, threading a no-look pass to Kin, who barely manages to score. The crowd roars as the game tightens to 4-3. You narrow your eyes, your focus sharpening.)

(Determined to close it out, you tighten your defense. You force a turnover from Jay, snatching the ball back and charging toward the basket. But Jay intercepts your drive, swiping the ball cleanly in response.)

(In an instant, Jay takes it down the court, fakes out Kung, and dishes it to Frankie for the tying basket. The crowd erupts as the score hits 4-4.)

Sing: Now that’s how you make a comeback.

Kung: This is getting interesting, Wai.

(You nod to Kung, feeling the rush of competition kick in. But just as Jay collects the ball for the final possession, his eyes flick toward the sideline.)

(A girl from a lower grade stands at the entrance to the basement stairs, arms crossed, glaring. Jay freezes, then bolts off the court, leaving the ball behind. That's CINDY, his girlfriend.)

(You glance over, surprised, as Jay pleads with Cindy, who taps her foot impatiently.)

Sing: So this is the junior Ace? Scared of his girlfriend!

Kin: (shouting to Cindy) Not my fault! I told him not to play!

(The seniors burst into laughter. Captain Kung walks over to you, a grin on his face.)

Kung: So, what do you think? Did he pass your test, Wai?

(You smile, watching Jay and Cindy bickering as they leave.)

You: Way better than I expected. Calm, steady, and impossible to provoke. That’s rare in someone his age.

Kung: Excited to see what’s next?

(You nod, your eyes lingering on the court, already anticipating the next duel.)

(Posted on 8.1.2025)

#HighSchoolBasketballShowdown