There was no team practice the next morning for the Roares—just a film session. The team was scheduled to fly out to San Merico the following day.
Coach Crawford stood in front of the screen, arms crossed.
"Two days from now, we play the Paladins," he began. "Gibson will sit this one out."
Ryan raised an eyebrow. Malik was already sidelined with an injury, and now Gibson was getting load management? Were the coaches just throwing this game away?
Fortunately, Vantix's director was already at Eddie's office, working out the details. If everything went smoothly, the endorsement deal would be locked in by noon.
Because if they got blown out by the Paladins, that big contract might go up in smoke.
Crawford rattled off the starters: Darius, Lin, Kamara, Omar, Stanley.
Ryan wasn't in the starting five—no surprise there. With both Darius and Lin at guard, there was no slot left. No hard feelings—it was what it was.
