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gave a small smile. “It’s coming to you,” he said.
    Spencer was true to his word. Jared took the ball just below the foul line and worked his way toward the basket, backing up his defender, who was all over him. Jared’s shot was good, and he drew a foul besides. He made that shot, too, regaining a one-point advantage.
    I’m taking over now , Jared told himself. Both ends of the court.
    But Johnson owned at least one end. Despite Spencer’s gritty defensive effort, Johnson hit another three-pointer, then added a driving jumper after a steal from Spencer in the backcourt. Palisades suddenly had a four-point lead. About three and a half minutes remained.
    The Palisades fans stood and cheered as Hudson City took a time-out. Leon Johnson pumped his fist and pointed at the scoreboard. That team was fired up.
    Spencer stared at the ceiling as the Hornets huddled up around Coach Davis. “He’s killing us,” Coach said, nearly shouting to be heard above the cheering and the pep band. “Let’s go to a double-team. Willie, step out and help Spencer on Johnson. Nobody else is shooting, and Jared will control the inside. We’ve got plenty of time, but there’s no tomorrow.”
    Jared grabbed Spencer’s jersey above the number and put his face right up to his teammate’s. “You okay?” he asked.
    “No problem,” Spencer mumbled, his eyes wide and angry. “Let’s do it.”
    Jared overpowered his man for another layup, but Palisades came right back at them. Johnson drove to the free-throw line and looked to shoot, but Willie and Spencer had him covered. Johnson found the open man in the corner, and Jared bolted out to stop him. But that left the center wide open underneath, and all it took was a bounce pass for an easy layup. The lead was back to four.
    Fiorelli made a basket, but Palisades came back with a pair of free throws after Ryan Grimes’s foul. Jared connected on a leaning jump shot, but Johnson answered after eluding both Spencer and Willie.
    Two minutes remained. Spencer dribbled slowly upcourt, catching his breath. Johnson waited at midcourt, ready to play aggressive defense. The spectators in the stands were shouting.
    Jared stepped out near the foul line and waved for the ball. Spencer’s pass was soft and high, but it didn’t have much force. A Palisades forward stepped out and got his hand on the ball, and there was a wild scramble on the floor. Jared took a chance and ran to the basket, and the risky move paid off. Fiorelli got to the ball and sent an overhand pass to Jared, who made the easy layup.
    “Press!” shouted Spencer, and the Hudson City players picked up their opponents in the backcourt. The ball went to Johnson, who easily broke the press by himself, darting upcourt and eluding Spencer and Willie.
    Jared came charging up behind Johnson and cut him off as he drove into the lane. Jared planted his feet and took Johnson’s full momentum, getting knocked backward and landing on his butt.
    Jared closed his eyes as the whistle blew. Not a fifth foul , he hoped.
    Not this time. The referee signaled for an offensive foul. Spencer grabbed Jared’s hand and hauled him to his feet. “You’re the man!” he said.
    Hudson City had the ball and new life. The deficit was only two points, and Jared had a one-and-one free-throw opportunity.
    Jared met Johnson’s eyes as he stepped to the line. Johnson nodded and gave a half smile of recognition. There was an MVP trophy waiting for one of them at the end of this game.
    Jared took the ball and bounced it twice, staring at the rim. He let out his breath and lofted the ball, watching the satisfying ripple of the net as the shot found its target.
    Same routine on the second shot. Two bounces. An exhale. A swish.
    The game was tied.
    “Don’t press!” yelled Spencer. The Hudson City players ran downcourt and set up their defense, with Spencer waiting at the top of the key for Johnson.
    Finally Johnson missed a shot, taking a long jumper that barely