Chapter 1: "From The Pavement"
Rockaway City – Farfield Ward – Summer.
Heat waves bounce off the blacktop. The sound of basketballs pounding the court is as consistent as a heartbeat. Kids crowd the edges of the court, watching local legends work—most just dreaming of being next.
Farfield Park is packed. At center court stands Tabar, 6'8, built like a tank, rocking a cut-off tee with sweat dripping from the corners of his "TABAR" back tattoo. He surveys the court like a general—this is his home.
> "Run it back," he says, grabbing the rebound one-handed. "Next five better bring more than talk."
The crowd oohs as his teammates chuckle. They know it's not just pickup anymore—B.Y.G Summer League is around the corner. And Farfield isn't just entering it. They're expected to win it.
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Garrison Ward – Rockaway City.
The rhythm of a ball dribbling against concrete echoes between buildings. Soulo, laced up in beat-up kicks, is running solo drills. Fast crossovers. Stop-and-go. Pull-up jumper. Cash.
Watching nearby is Eli, leaned up against a lamppost, arms folded.
> "Still ain't passin', huh?" he smirks.
Soulo doesn't look back. "Still ain't stoppin' me, huh?"
They dap up. Childhood rivals turned co-captains for Garrison Ward. They know Farfield's stacked—but Garrison's got heart.
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Lyndon Ward – Rockaway City.
Quan throws down a monstrous dunk during an indoor scrimmage, the rim rattling like it's about to give in. Across the court, Sticks is casually draining three after three, earbuds in, emotionless.
Coach whistles.
> "Lyndon Ward has the size. Now show me the grit."
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Crenshaw Ward – Rockaway City.
Mitch is pacing the baseline, barking instructions like he's already in the Finals.
Leo leans against the scorer's table, unimpressed.
> "You gon' yell us into the chip, or hoop?"
Mitch doesn't miss a beat. "Both."
Crenshaw's not here to play cute. They want smoke with Farfield.
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Avalon Ward – Rockaway City.
Picasso is sketching plays on the court in chalk. Beside him, Magic works on his mid-post footwork.
> "We paint masterpieces," Picasso says, grinning. "Let 'em come see."
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Narration:
Every summer, five wards clash in a single-elimination tournament: the B.Y.G Summer League. The winner gets a shot at citywide glory. The players? Kids from cracked sidewalks and crowded apartments, dreaming bigger than their circumstances allow.
But this summer? It's different.
This summer... legends rise.