The gym at UCLA buzzed with electricity. Fans packed the stands, chants echoing off the walls. After their recent loss, everyone expected a tighter game. But the Bruins had come out swinging.
By the end of the first quarter, they were up by twelve.
Ryan stood beside Coach Reilly, clipboard in hand, sharp eyes scanning the court like a chessboard. The starters were locked in — fast rotations, seamless passes, and defense that suffocated their opponents.
But what made Ryan proud wasn't just the score. It was the fire.
They were playing like a team.
Midway through the second quarter, Coach Reilly leaned in. "We've got breathing room. Want to start getting the bench in?"
Ryan nodded. "Let's rotate them in smart. Keep momentum, but give them a chance to show what they've got."
As players subbed out, Ryan knelt in front of the bench.
"Alright," he said, eyes moving from player to player. "We're up by double digits, yeah — but that doesn't mean the game's over. That means your time starts now."
They looked at him, locked in.
"I know you're hungry," Ryan said. "I see you working in practice every day. This is your moment to earn more minutes. Play smart, hustle hard, and trust each other. Don't force anything — keep the rhythm going."
One of the bench players, Zay, asked, "What are they doing on defense right now?"
Ryan smiled, loving the focus. "They're collapsing hard in the paint — they're scared of our inside presence. That means if you cut right or swing fast, you'll get open looks from the corner. Watch the help defender and punish their rotations."
Zay nodded quickly, energized.
Back on the court, the bench players picked up right where the starters left off. Clean execution, high tempo, and even more grit. Every steal, every hustle rebound—they played like they belonged.
Ryan paced the sideline, clapping as a clean give-and-go led to an open layup. He turned to Coach Reilly. "Told you they were ready."
Coach Reilly chuckled. "I'm starting to believe you know what you're doing, Whitmore."
In the second half, the lead grew to twenty.
Ryan called a timeout with four minutes left, just to bring everyone in — starters and bench players alike.
He stood at the center, proud and calm. "This is what we've been building," he said. "One unit. Every pass matters. Every screen. Every rebound. This game? This win? It belongs to all of us."
They huddled up, fists together, and as they broke the huddle, the crowd roared louder than it had all season.
The final score: Bruins 87 – Opponent 63.
It was a statement win. Not just on the scoreboard — but in spirit.
And as the team celebrated, Ryan caught the eye of the bench guys.
They grinned, and Ryan simply nodded.
They were part of this win — and they knew it.