CHAPTER 28 — "Trigger Discipline"
Channel City vs 5 Towns City – Game 4 (Channel City Leads Series 2-1)
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PAGE 1
Opening panel: South Pier Arena is vibrating. Red, black, and silver banners everywhere. The Channel City fans are loud, but there's a noticeable tension in the air.
COMMENTATOR (off-screen):
"It's win or go home for the Highlight Reels… and Channel City? They're smelling blood."
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PAGE 2
Opening play: 5 Towns comes out blazing. Morrow's PG, Zay "Iso-Z" Martinez, puts the clamps on Damien Cole, then hits a nasty crossover into a pull-up three.
ZAY:
"Don't pack us up yet."
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PAGE 3
Fast break. Talley Ward's Renzo Morales throws an off-glass lob to Dee from Delmar—two-hand reverse jam.
COMMENTATOR:
"That's what they do! Flashy, fearless, and fighting back!"
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PAGE 4
Channel City responds with rugged, physical plays. Damien bulldozes to the rack, draws a foul and flexes. Kadeem (Dockside Ward) grabs a putback through traffic.
DAMIEN "THE HAMMER" COLE:
"You forgot who we are?"
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PAGE 5
Mid-2nd quarter: game tied. Tempo picks up. Morrow's rookie guard hits two straight corner threes off ball movement. 5 Towns bench erupts.
COACH FERNANDEZ (5 Towns):
"Play loose. Play loud."
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PAGE 6
3rd quarter. Channel's defense tightens. Juwan "Brickhouse" Bell (Forge Hill Ward) takes a charge, then gets a key block on the next possession. Momentum shifts.
COMMENTATOR:
"Channel City doesn't finesse you… they break you."
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PAGE 7
Late 4th quarter. Channel up 5. Zay finds Renzo for a no-look dime and three-point play. 5 Towns within 2. 1:07 left.
RENZO:
"We're still dancing."
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PAGE 8
Final 30 seconds. Damien Cole holds the ball. Shot clock winding. Iso. Stepback. Bang.
DAMIEN:
"Ballgame."
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PAGE 9
Buzzer sounds. Channel City bench storms the court. 5 Towns players slump—season over. Zay and Damien dap up, mutual respect.
ZAY (quietly):
"Next year… I'm comin' back different."
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PAGE 10
Final panel: Channel City walks off like soldiers who've been here before. Eyes already locked on Round 2.
FINAL SCORE:
Channel City 98 – 5 Towns City 91
(Channel City wins series 3-1)
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NEXT — Chapter 29: "Pressure Points"
The Semifinals heat up as Inwood City looks to Fight Back!