Extra Basket-Chapter 109 - 96: Jalen Carter

July 22, 2010

Location: Oak Hill Academy Gymnasium

The air in the gym buzzed with the rhythmic sound of squeaking shoes and bouncing basketballs—until a voice rang out from the entrance, sharp and confident.

"You must be the team Vorpal Basket."

The entire gym fell into a stunned silence.

Everyone turned.

Standing at the doorway was a boy, around their age, but with a presence that demanded attention. He wore a black-and-red Chicago Raptors warm-up jacket, the kind stitched with pride and pedigree. A duffel bag hung loosely over one shoulder, and the fading sunlight outside caught the red trim of his sleeves, making him almost glow against the backdrop of the gym.

He looked around the room, smile lazy but purposeful. "Nice to meet you all," he said, tone dipped in swagger. "I’m Jalen Carter—aka Flash."

The moment stretched. Tension mixed with awe as the players from Vorpal Basket exchanged glances.

Lucas stepped forward slowly, recognition dawning in his eyes. "You’re... Jalen.."

Jalen tilted his head, smirk deepening. "The one and only."

His voice was calm but carried weight. The kind of confidence born not from ego, but proof. Jalen Carter—one of the fastest rising youth players in the country, the point guard prodigy of the Chicago Raptors. Nicknamed Flash not just for his speed, but his ability to appear where you least expected and turn the tide of a game with a single possession.

Ethan Albarado narrowed his eyes slightly, arms crossing over his chest as realization hit him. He’s not here by chance. This has Caleb’s name written all over it...

He took a cautious step forward. "What brings you to Oak Hill?" he asked.

Jalen didn’t answer right away. Instead, he simply stared at Ethan, the smirk fading into something more serious—more knowing.

"Well," he said at last, "you already know... Ethan Albarado."

The moment hung heavy.

Ethan exhaled, reading the truth behind the words.

(My guess confirmed. Jalen wasn’t just here for basketball... he was here because of what happened during the White Family Incident. That underground situation where we rescued his younger brother Caleb and a group of other kids. It had been dangerous, insane even—but worth it. And I knew it left an impression.)

Ethan gave a slight nod. "We accept your thanks."

Behind him, the rest of the team had formed a half-circle near midcourt, quiet but alert. Everyone was watching, not sure whether to be impressed, cautious, or both.

Then—suddenly—Louie, standing by the top of the key, spun the ball in his hands and tossed it toward Jalen.

The ball flew fast.

Jalen caught it one-handed, effortlessly. No panic. No hesitation. He just absorbed the pass like the ball belonged to him.

The gym’s atmosphere shifted. Subtle gasps. Raised eyebrows.

Lucas leaned toward Aiden and whispered, "He didn’t even flinch."

Louie stepped forward, his usual fire returning fast. Arms crossed, chin up.

"They say you’re a prodigy," Louie said, tone direct. "Beating pro-level guys already. That true?"

Jalen chuckled, resting the ball on his hip. "Is that what they’re saying about me now?" he replied, rubbing the back of his head in mock modesty. "Man, people love stretching stories."

Louie didn’t laugh. "Then prove it."

Jalen blinked. "Prove it?"

Louie pointed directly at the court. "Fight me. One-on-one. Basketball."

There was a beat of silence.

Jalen grinned. "Fight, huh? You trying to start a brawl?"

"I mean basketball, idiot!" Louie barked; cheeks flushed.

"Relax, relax," Jalen said, hands up in mock surrender, though his eyes twinkled with curiosity. "Just messing with you."

But now, his interest was real. He glanced at Louie thoughtfully. He’s young. Still raw. But gutsy. A little wild card, huh?

Then, his gaze scanned the rest of the team.

Ryan, tall and grounded. Brandon, the big man with a quiet storm in his stance. Aiden—versatile, sharp. And then—

His eyes locked on Lucas Graves.

A moment passed.

The two didn’t speak. They didn’t have to. In that single glance, Jalen knew. That must be him... Lucas. The one my coach mentioned. "The copycat".

Ethan, noticing the building energy, stepped forward again—this time yanking Louie by the back of his collar like an older brother scolding a reckless sibling.

"You, reckless brat," he muttered, knuckling Louie’s head with a light tap.

"Ow!" Louie shouted, rubbing his scalp. "I was serious, though!"

The tension finally cracked. Laughter spread across the court, easing the electricity in the air.

But Jalen didn’t join in. His eyes returned to Ethan. This time, his expression had changed—just slightly. More thoughtful.

(So that’s him... Ethan Albarado. The Genius. That’s what Noah our analyst called him... said he sees the game like a war general. Two steps ahead. Dangerous.)

"Your team’s got good chemistry," Jalen said at last, spinning the ball slowly on his finger.

Ethan shrugged. "Still a long way to go."

"But you’ll be ready," Jalen said, no hint of question in his voice—only certainty.

Ethan’s eyes sharpened. "Yeah. We will."

Jalen caught the spinning ball midair with a smooth tap, his grin returning. "Good. Because I didn’t just come to say thanks."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Then why?"

Jalen bounced the ball once. A loud THUMP echoed through the gym, commanding everyone’s attention.

"I came to see what kind of team could save a group of kidnapped kids, take down criminals... and still show up at Oak Hill like it was just another day." He paused, letting that hang.

"And maybe..." he continued, a glint flashing in his eye, "...maybe scout the team we’ll face in the tournament finals."

Gasps rang out.

"The finals?!" Josh blurted out.

"You’re that confident?" Evan asked, eyebrows lifted.

Jalen turned to them, tone still calm. "Of course. We’re the Raptors. But I’ve heard stories. About Vorpal Basket. About you guys."

He looked back at Ethan.

"I want to see if those stories are just hype... or if they’re about something real."

That was it.

A challenge, wrapped in curiosity. A warning, cloaked in respect. No trash talk. No arrogance. Just facts—and fire.

Ethan grinned, not backing down.

"Then you better watch closely," he said, voice low and steady.

Jalen nodded slowly. "Don’t disappoint me, Ethan."

Ethan said, locking his eyes on him "Wouldn’t dream of it."

"Hey! Our one-on-one," Louie called out, bouncing on the balls of his feet like a lit fuse. "You game or not?"

Jalen Carter turned slowly, amused, spinning the ball in his palm. "You’re persistent, I’ll give you that."

The tension in the gym cracked like static.

Aiden White crossed his arms from the sideline, muttering, "This kid never chills, huh?"

Josh Turner leaned toward Coonie and whispered, "He’s challenging Jalen Carter. Bro, Louie’s got guts... or no brain."

"I heard that!" Louie shouted, pointing without breaking eye contact with Jalen.

Coonie sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "His not gonna stop until he gets humbled."

Jalen finally stepped forward, bouncing the ball with a single thump. "Alright, alright. You want a one-on-one? You got it."

Louie’s eyes lit up like fireworks. "YEAH!"

"But," Jalen added, holding up a finger, "First to five. Ones only. No fouls, no trash calls. You sure you can handle that?"

Louie cracked his neck and nodded. "Just make sure you don’t blink, Flash."

Jalen smirked. "Cute."

The two made their way to the center of the half-court. The rest of the Vorpal Basket team gathered near the sideline like fans at a ringside match.

Lucas leaned against the wall, his gaze locked on Jalen. (He doesn’t look serious... but I get the feeling he’s reading Louie like a book.)

Ethan stood beside him, arms folded. "This will either be a disaster... or a miracle."

Kai nudged Jeremy. "I’m betting on disaster."

"I got faith," Jeremy replied. "Louie plays like a firecracker. Might catch Flash off-guard."

"Keyword: might," Aiden chimed in.

Back on the court, Jalen casually dribbled the ball. "You sure you don’t want a warm-up?"

Louie held out his hand. "Ball."

Jalen smiled and tossed it over. "Your funeral."

...

Possession 1 — Louie starts.

He jab-stepped left, then right—fast. Too fast for a 13-year-old.

Jalen didn’t budge.

"Come on," Louie muttered.

He made his move—a quick crossover, then exploded to the right. His first step was fast.

But Jalen was faster.

Before Louie could even think about pulling up, Jalen’s hand was already there, knocking the ball clean out of bounds.

"Ball’s still yours," Jalen said casually, strolling to reset. "Nice first step though."

Ethan blinked. (That timing was perfect. He didn’t even reach—he just moved.)

...

Possession 2 — Louie ball.

Louie took a deep breath. His pride was poked. He faked left and stepped back, launching a three.

Swish.

"Let’s gooo!" Louie shouted, raising one arm like a champ.

The team erupted in cheers.

"Okay! Louie gets the first flame!" Josh laughed.

"1-0 Louie," Ryan called out with a grin.

Jalen nodded, smirking. "Alright. Your turn’s over now."

...

Possession 3 — Jalen ball

No hesitation.

Jalen exploded into motion the moment the ball touched his hands. One sharp dribble forward—then he was gone.

Louie’s eyes widened. His body leaned left to cut off the drive, but Jalen was already behind him. A behind-the-back shift, smooth as silk, sent Louie stumbling the wrong direction.

In a blink, Jalen floated to the rim.

A gentle scoop layup kissed the glass and dropped in.

"1-1," Lucas murmured, eyes narrowing as he leaned forward.

Louie stood frozen, still processing what had just happened.

He turned slowly to Ethan. "Did you see that? Did he—teleport?"

Ethan kept his arms crossed, his gaze sharp. "No... He’s just that fast."

...

Possession 4 — Louie ball

Louie exhaled hard through his nose, bouncing the ball with controlled anger. He faced Jalen head-on, dropping low in his stance.

One fake to the left.

Another to the right.

Then a quick crossover aimed to bait Jalen into lunging.

But Jalen didn’t bite.

Instead, he slid into Louie’s drive path like he had read the play in advance. As Louie shifted his weight to the right to take off—

Swipe!

Jalen’s hand snatched the ball clean mid-dribble.

"Ouch," Kai winced, clutching his own stomach as if he had just lost the ball.

Brandon’s eyes sparkled with awe. "That was amazing. Flash is really different."

To be continue