The ball dropped. Mariner led 60 to 56. Don’t, Imani glanced at the scoreboard. She had spent years learning that a narrow deficit could feel larger if she carried its meaning all the way through a possession. She forced herself to name only what was real.

Four points, 90 seconds, a full set of teammates, and a ball in her hands. Mariner’s defense closed the left lane. Imani attacked right, felt Brielle hesitate for a moment, and released a soft bank shot before the second defender could arrive. It touched the square and fell. 60 to 58.

As she ran back, she caught Ward’s eye. The coach didn’t smile. She tapped her own shoulder once, reminding Imani to keep it steady. Mariner missed a jumper at the other end. Zora boxed out Harper, fighting for floor position before the ball even touched the rim.

Imani took the outlet and called for patience. With a minute left, she found Mina cutting behind Brielle’s overplay. Mina passed immediately to Zora, who had sealed her defender under the hoop. Zora caught and scored. The game was tied at 60.

The roar that followed nearly covered the referee’s whistle. Brielle had driven on the next possession, and Imani was called for contact on her arm as she rose. The foul was not outrageous, nor was it obviously imaginary. Imani had reached late. Brielle stepped to the line with 13.8 seconds showing.

She made the first free throw. Mariner led 61 to 60. The second struck the back rim and bounced high. For a terrifying moment, the ball seemed to hang where no one could reach it. Zora took one careful step backward, sealed Harper against her hip, and caught the rebound with both hands.

Ward called timeout. 12.8 seconds remained. In South Dock’s huddle, everything sounded far away except the scratch of the marker against Ward’s board. She drew a sideline inbound, a high screen by Zora, and a weak-side cut by Marisol. It was a play they knew, not a stunt invented because the clock was low.

Mina would inbound. Zora would screen. Imani would take the ball and space and make the read. “Mariner will expect the left drive,” Ward said. “They’ve been inviting the right and closing late.

If Brielle stays attached, the pass is there to Marisol. If she commits toward the passing lane, take the space. If you don’t see either, call for another screen. We have time for one good decision, not three bad ones.” Imani nodded, but her hands were trembling.