First Quarter – Madrid Juniors vs. Oslo North
Eli didn't speak.
He pointed.
He moved.
The first possession was slow.
He walked the ball up.
No play call.
Just spacing.
Wing cut.
Corner lift.
Elbow flash.
Eli passed once.
Then again.
Then waited.
The ball came back.
He stepped in.
Mid-range pull-up.
Swish.
Defense – Oslo's Guard Attacks
Eli watched the hips.
Not the ball.
Not the eyes.
He slid early.
Cut off the lane.
Forced a kick-out.
No steal.
No highlight.
Just control.
Second Quarter – Rhythm Deepens
Madrid ran a stagger screen.
Eli didn't use it.
He slipped baseline.
Caught.
Paused.
Defender jumped.
Eli didn't.
Then he rose.
Soft floater.
Swish.
No flex.
No glance.
Just breath.
Timeout – Oslo Bench
Their coach barked.
Their players nodded.
But their rhythm was broken.
Eli stood still.
Hands on hips.
Eyes closed.
He wasn't tired.
He wasn't hungry.
He was calibrating.
Third Quarter – Oslo Adjusts
They doubled Eli.
Hard hedge.
Trap at halfcourt.
He didn't rush.
He didn't panic.
He passed early.
Cut late.
Reappeared at the logo.
Catch.
Lift.
Swish.
Fourth Quarter – Final Sequence
Tie game.
Shot clock low.
Coach Ortega didn't call timeout.
He just looked at Eli.
Eli nodded.
He dribbled once.
Waited.
Defender leaned.
He stepped back.
Sideline fadeaway.
Release.
Swish.
Post-Game – Locker Room
Luis leaned on crutches.
"You didn't miss."
Eli shrugged.
"Didn't rush."
Coach Ortega smiled.
"You're not loud. You're early."