Mia dribbled the worn-out basketball across the empty court, the sound echoing through the cool evening air. Every bounce carried her dreams — of tryouts, of winning, of proving she could play with the best. Sweat trickled down her face, but she didn’t stop. She took one last deep breath, eyes fixed on the hoop. The ball left her hands, spinning through the air — and with a soft swish, it fell through the net. A smile broke across her face. Tomorrow, she wouldn’t just be a girl with a basketball. She’d be a player.