The young boy squared up to the basket, his drenched hair sticking to his forehe

The young boy squared up to the basket, his drenched hair sticking to his forehead as he took aim. He released the ball with a fluid motion, but the wet conditions made it harder to control. The ball arced towards the hoop but veered off course, bouncing off the rim and clattering to the ground. He paused, watching the ball roll away, his breath visible in the cool, rainy air. Undeterred, he jogged after it, a determined expression on his face. He picked up the ball, wiped his wet hands on his soaked shirt, and prepared to take another shot, his resolve stronger than the challenge of the rain.