AN__: I experimented with a different narrative style for the game. Let me know if you prefer this approach or the one I've been using.
Additionally, I'm considering launching a Discord Community. If you're interested, show your support by liking the comment I'll post in the comments section. If we reach 20 likes, indicating that at least 20 people are interested in joining the community, I'll create it and share the link with the next chapter.
Thanks for your continued readership.
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As Kozo Shirogane signaled for a timeout, the Yuuki Junior High players rushed back to the bench, filled with excitement. Damien and Koganei exchanged a celebratory mid-air bump, while Mitobe and Hideki offered pats on the back and head of Kotaro.
The exhilaration of tying the game couldn't be contained; their adrenaline was surging, and they were eager to get back on the court. However, they had to endure a minute and thirty seconds of sitting down.
Taking notice of the charged atmosphere, Coach Kimura addressed his players. "You all did outstanding. A truly remarkable job," he began, his face showing signs of pride. While he had confidence in his players, their level of intensity in this game exceeded his expectations.
"Keep up the hustle, don't let up now," he continued, his voice resonating loudly as the players focused on his words. "After this game, you'll have a well-deserved break. So, give it your all and finish this game in the best way possible," he concluded, the players nodding in agreement with determination in their eyes.
Afterward, he directed his attention to Koganei. "Take a seat for the rest of the quarter," he instructed, eliciting puzzled looks from his players. Despite the confusion, they held their thoughts in check, respecting the decision. Even Koganei, the team's most competitive member, nodded without a hint of complaint on his face. Exhausted and barely able to walk normally, he understood that playing in this state would make him a liability on the defensive end.
Observing Koganei comply, Kimura nodded appreciatively. He admired players who followed their coach's guidance, and when that player was a star, it was the icing on the cake.
Having addressed that, he continued with his instructions. "Damien, you'll take Koganei's place at small forward," he declared, fixing his gaze on Damien. Although the latter's Japanese comprehension was limited, he exerted all his mental effort to grasp his coach's next words.
"I don't need you to handle the ball; leave that to Hideki," he pointed at Hideki. "Your role is to move around the frontcourt and set screens for your teammates. With your physical strength, overpower Aomine when you receive the ball in the paint. Koganei's off the court, so we need you to step up," he concluded, giving Damien a few moments to comprehend before turning his attention to Kotaro.
"You can take a break too. The next few minutes are going to be intense, and we need your three-pointers in the fourth quarter. I can't afford to have you exhausted before that," he advised, and Kotaro nodded in agreement.
Wearing a stern expression, Kimura clapped his hands while scanning the entire team. "What you did in that last defensive play, I need that every time," he began, raising his voice. "When someone tries to drive to the rim, double-team them. If they kick it out, sprint back and contest every shot. Teiko can't play their best basketball if the game is messy. The more organized and clean it is, the stronger Teiko becomes. But against stronger teams, you thrive in chaos. Avoid fouls and anything dangerous, but make the game chaotic," he concluded, prompting loud cheers from the players, their bodies still surging with adrenaline. They were ready to hit the court again.
...
Meanwhile, Shirogane observed his players with a warm smile. They were facing a real challenge today.
"You're performing admirably on offense, but I need all of you to step up on defense," he began, addressing the entire team. At the end of the bench, his gaze rested on Nijimura, who was dressed in casual clothes.
Shuzo Nijimura had been Teiko's captain at the beginning of the season but chose to step down and become the vice-captain, believing that Akashi was better suited for the captaincy. With Nijimura at power forward, Teiko had displayed remarkable prowess during the Inter-High and Nationals. However, an ankle injury had forced him out before the Winter Cup began.
'The game wouldn't be so close if he were playing.' Shirogane thought before redirecting his attention to the players.
"They're going to try and disrupt our rhythm," Shirogane remarked, fixing his gaze on Akashi before continuing. "Akashi, I want you to control the game's rhythm and slow it down. A top-notch point guard can foresee and dictate the flow of the game. If you aim to surpass players like Shinichi Maki, you need that skill set." His words carried a challenge, a direct dare for Akashi to step up. Akashi's expression tightened, determination burning in his eyes. He was eager to get back on the court.
Shirogane, a seasoned coach accustomed to handling gifted players, understood the intricacies of motivation. 'They'll only give their all when they feel challenged,' he thought, recalling the numerous prodigies he had coached in his extensive basketball career. In his view, without constant challenges, talented players risk squandering their potential.
'Thankfully, this generation has plenty of equally talented players that can keep them on their toes,' he mused, quickly shaking off any absent-mindedness and refocusing on the crucial moment at hand.
"Maintain the same level of play you've shown throughout the game. Don't let them throw you off rhythm or dictate the pace. Basketball is all about rhythm. The team that understands and controls it best will always emerge victorious. Play the game at your own tempo," he urged, shifting his gaze to Momoi. "Do you have anything to add?" he inquired.
Momoi nodded, directing her attention to Akashi. "With Koganei possibly out for the rest of the quarter, Aomine will be free. Consider feeding him more; they can't handle him in a one-on-one scenario." She began, consulting the stat sheet in her hand. "Damien, the mixed-race player, should be closely watched. His back cuts are always well-timed. Pay great attention to him. With Atsushi on Mitobe and Kise on Hideki, only he could potentially consistently score the ball," she emphasized, her eyes on Akashi as she awaited his reaction.
Akashi contemplated Momoi's insights, recognizing the strategic implications of Koganei's absence.
"We'll implement that strategy. Kise has already deciphered their captain, so we don't need to focus too much on him. We just need to focus on their execution of pick-and-roll plays." Akashi responded, locking eyes with his coach and receiving a nod of affirmation. With a gentle smile, Shirogane watched as Akashi and the team continued their tactical discussions.
A few moments later, the referees signaled for their return to the court, and Shirogane, clapping his hands, injected a burst of encouragement. As his resonant voice echoed in their ears, the players headed back to the court, poised for the next phase of the intense match.
...
As the players returned to the court, two eminent figures in the Asian basketball world, Mitsuyoshi Anzai and Yoshimune, occupied the special media section courtside, offering their insightful commentary on the game. Invited by J-sport 5 to provide commentary for the finals, their unexpected presence surprised both the channel operators and viewers at home.
The inclusion of these respected personalities significantly contributed to the increased viewership of this game. While Koganei's YouTube channel might not have been able to hold the attention of more than 600k viewers for a junior high school game, the commentary from these seasoned experts had a different impact.
Anzai, recognized as the most successful college basketball coach in Japan's history and currently serving as the Head Coach of the national basketball team, sat alongside his companion, a prominent multi-billionaire. The latter, who once harbored dreams of playing professionally but pivoted to ownership, now holds a top position among the wealthiest and most renowned figures in the country. In their late fifties, these immensely successful individuals engaged in a discussion about the ongoing game, bringing their wealth of experience and perspectives to the forefront.
"If you were Yuuki's coach, would you have substituted Shinji Koganei out?" inquired Yoshimune, glancing at his friend and fellow basketball enthusiast, Anzai.
Anzai, with a thoughtful expression, took a moment to weigh his response. "Certainly. Regardless of his importance or skill, if he can't move effectively, he becomes a liability. Resting him until the start of the fourth quarter would be a strategic move," he replied, a smile playing on his lips as he observed the young players making their way back to the court.
Noticing Anzai's smile, Yoshimune mirrored it while seeking an explanation. "You've been smiling since earlier. What's brought you such joy?"
"Well, witnessing so much talent on this court today is a source of great entertainment for me. Imagining the possibility of guiding these players to the international stage in a few years is quite fulfilling," Anzai shared, prompting laughter between the two friends.
"You're absolutely right. They're exceptionally talented, but growth is crucial. Even if someone possesses talent on par with LeBron James or Michael Jordan, unless that talent transforms into strength, it may go to waste," reflected Yoshimune as the referee handed the ball to Murasakibara for an inbound.
"That's true. Many gifted players have squandered their talents on the way to the top. Let's hope these guys make the most of their potential," responded Anzai before adding, "However, Teiko needs to overcome this obstacle called Yuuki Junior High. The latter team has been holding up admirably against the talented bunch. Let's see how they handle the game after this time-out," he said, observing as Akashi dribbled the ball up the court.
As Akashi reached the frontcourt, he called for a screen, and Murasakibara willingly set a formidable screen for him, aiding Akashi in getting past Damien, who was attempting to defend.
"Both teams have heavily utilized the pick-and-roll in this game. At this level, it's an almost impossible-to-stop tactic. Let's see what the kid is going to do with this possession," remarked Yoshimune as Akashi expertly dribbled into Damien, causing him to halt, before accelerating to the elbow and sinking a mid-range shot.
"Oh!" exclaimed Anzai as the ball found its mark in the basket. "As you mentioned, Yoshi, the pick-and-roll is nearly unstoppable if executed well at this level of basketball. With a towering center like Atsushi and players like Akashi and Aomine threatening from mid-range, your offense is bound to flourish," he added, observing Teiko's players sprinting back to their backcourt.
"You're right, Anzai. On Yuuki's side, Koganei has dominated the mid-range area. Most of his shots seem to come from that zone, and it's quite unusual to see players at this age so consistent with their shots," commented Yoshimune as Hideki received an inbound pass from Mitobe.
"Since you're the expert here, what do you think Yuuki Junior High should do to prevent Teiko from gaining a huge lead in the fourth quarter?" asked Yoshimune as Hideki began to dribble the ball up the court. Anzai shook his head while providing his insight.
"There is only one right answer to this question. Their best scorer is off the floor, so unless somebody is capable of having the same output as him, they should put their focus on defense," replied Anzai as Hideki reached the frontcourt and called for a screen from one of their substitutes, the player who had replaced Kotaro.
The move surprised both commentators as Hideki forced a switch on Midorima. "Is he trying to confront the shooter?" asked Yoshimune as Hideki began sizing up his new opponent.
"Well, going against Kise has become increasingly difficult as the game progressed. I can understand... Woah!" started Anzai before exclaiming as Hideki utilized his agility and a series of dribble moves to get past Midorima. He then forced a tough reverse layup as Murasakibara and Midorima attempted to block him in the air.
"That's a very tough layup, right there. Is he our Japanese Kyrie Irving?" joked Yoshimune as both of them and the spectators at home laughed and reveled in the beauty of the bucket.
"As I said earlier, unless somebody steps up, they should focus on making stops, and I think Hideki would be the one to help Yuuki Junior High keep up with their opponent," commented Anzai, with Yoshimune agreeing.
"That's right. Before Koganei revealed himself as a talented scorer, Yuuki's captain was the star and best scorer of a Top 8 team in the country, after all," he said, observing Akashi dribble the ball up the court.
Reaching the frontcourt, Akashi swiftly dished the ball out to Aomine, anticipating the imminent double team. Anzai couldn't help but comment on Akashi's quick decision-making, acknowledging the captain's intelligence. Aomine, understanding the situation, initiated with a jab-step, causing Asuma to shift his center of gravity. Seizing the opportunity, Aomine drove past Asuma before Hideki and the recovering Asuma attempted a double team. However, Aomine was a step ahead, passing the ball to the cutting Kise, who easily scored a layup, extending the lead by 2 points.
Anzai used the play to explain his earlier assessment. "Aomine has faced double-teams throughout the game, and only Koganei could defend him one-on-one. With Koganei off the court, Aomine is being double-teamed to prevent scoring. Passing the ball to Aomine and allowing him to attack quickly disrupts Yuuki's defense, creating space for teammates to exploit. Fortunately, Aomine spotted Kise and delivered a decent pass," explained Anzai, prompting Yoshimune's skeptical response.
"Well, I wouldn't call the ball almost bouncing off Kise's feet a good pass."
"Hahaha, by Aomine's standards, it's actually a good pass," joked Anzai before refocusing on the court. Suddenly, he noticed Damien seemingly asking for the ball on the wing. Anzai wore a perplexed expression as he questioned the tactic.
"Oh! Is Damien trying to single out Akashi on the wing?" he wondered.
However, as Damien turned his back to Teiko's captain and positioned himself in the low post, Anzai quickly caught on. "They're attempting to leverage Damien's superior strength and height for easy points against a smaller player," noted Yoshimune, with Anzai nodding in agreement.
Damien received the ball from Hideki, facing up against Akashi near the low post. Yoshimune speculated on Damien's next move as he jab-stepped in an attempt to outmaneuver Akashi, but the captain didn't falter. Adjusting his strategy, Damien employed his strength, taking two dribbles along the baseline in an attempt to reach the basket.
Akashi, a stellar defender, easily cut him off, searching for the opportune moment to disrupt the play. Unexpectedly, Damien spun toward the middle, scoring an uncontested hook shot as Akashi found himself momentarily surprised and unable to keep up.
"That's a good move!" praised Yoshimune, and Anzai chimed in, "This reminds me of the Takeshi brothers. They might be rookies in the B-league, but they've already established themselves as the best frontcourt players in the league. This [Rip Spin] is one of their favorite moves; it works most of the time. If you overcommit to me driving past you, I'm going to spin around. If you don't, I might use my superior strength and speed to force the shot. Even if I don't score, I'll likely draw a foul; truly a great move," explained Anzai, with Yoshimune nodding in agreement, sporting a smile.
After all, the Takeshi brothers were playing for the team Yoshimune owns.
With that bias in mind, Yoshimune paid special attention to Damien as the latter ran back to defense. Akashi attempted to complete a fast break before Yuuki's defense could set itself, but this time, they were ready. Each player diligently followed their assigned opponent.
"Great reaction by the Yuuki players," praised Anzai once again, a recurring theme in his commentary during the game. "They're a very disciplined team, something quite challenging for a Junior High school team to achieve. It seems Coach Kimura is a strict individual," added Anzai, a smile breaking on both of their faces.
"Even during his playing years, he was very disciplined and strict with both himself and his teammates. The true embodiment of a professional player," remarked Yoshimune, a smile lingering on his face as he continued. "I recall hearing a story about him passionately cursing at some of his teammates on the National team because they weren't keeping up with their workouts. And mind you, we're talking about some of the best Japanese basketball players globally."
Hearing this anecdote, Anzai couldn't help but laugh as he chimed in, "I was there. At that time, I was just an assistant coach in my late 30s. Kimura, in his early 20s, was recognized as one of the best defenders and hustlers in Japan—a Japanese version of Charles Barkley. Slightly taller than Barkley, he shared similar qualities when it came to scoring, rebounding, and defending," recounted Anzai as the game unfolded on the court. The camera briefly focused on Kimura's face before returning to the action, where Kise managed a layup under Hideki's defense, scoring after a pick-and-roll play involving Hideki and Mitobe doubling Murasakibara. Kise, once again, cut to the basket to secure the points.
The two seasoned commentators only briefly acknowledged the basket as they continued discussing Kimura and his accomplishments.
"To be honest, until I was asked to comment on this game, I didn't know Kimura was coaching Yuuki Junior High," confessed Yoshimune, sporting a wry smile. He had admired Kimura as a player when the latter was still active around five years ago. At one point, Yoshimune even considered trading for him, recognizing Kimura's potential as a valuable second or third-in-command player. However, his salary demands were deemed excessive for a team that wasn't particularly strong.
"Well, this level of competition doesn't draw as much attention. If he were in the high school scene, like the young Shirogane and that big lad Takeuchi, he would've garnered much more media coverage," responded Anzai. Meanwhile, in Teiko's backcourt, Hideki called for a high ball screen, seeking an opening as Kise applied defensive pressure, limiting his advance up the court.
Mitobe willingly complied, setting a solid screen to create space for Hideki. With newfound room, Hideki swiftly drove towards the rim. Murasakibara and Kise attempted to trap him near the high post, blocking potential passing lanes. Despite the defensive pressure, Hideki executed a clever bounce pass that maneuvered its way through, finding Mitobe, who had cut to the basket. Mitobe caught the ball, took two powerful steps, and emphatically dunked it through the hoop.
"Hideki seemed cornered by Teiko's defense there," remarked Yoshimune as the play unfolded. "What's his plan... Oh! That pass was extraordinary, and Mitobe's dunk is just sensational!" he exclaimed, applauding the remarkable plays.
"Mitobe hasn't found much success against Murasakibara in this game," observed Anzai, glancing at the nearby stat sheet before continuing. "If I'm not mistaken, he only made 2 out of the 9 shots he took today, scoring a mere four points, including this dunk. I hope this play can reignite his contribution to the team's scoring," he concluded, as Teiko began to dribble the ball up the court.
"With less than a minute remaining in the game, Teiko appeared to face challenges as Yuuki consistently thwarted their attempts to widen the gap. What do you think clicked for Yuuki during this quarter?" inquired Yoshimune, observing as Teiko worked diligently to find an open opportunity and conclude the quarter positively. Yet, Yuuki's robust defense persisted, denying Teiko any easy chances.
Yuuki's gritty defensive strategy, involving swift position switches, double-teaming on mismatches, and relentless contests on shots, proved effective. In the waning moments of Teiko's possession, Midorima attempted a contested three-pointer, but the resolute defense forced a miss.
However, Murasakibara's overpowering presence enabled him to grab the rebound from Asuma's hands, offering Teiko another chance as Akashi took control to reset the offense.
Witnessing this, Anzai nodded appreciatively, a smile playing on his lips as he responded to Yoshimune's question. "Their defense has been effective. They might not have scored much, only six points in four minutes. That's not an impressive scoring rate. Nevertheless, if you can limit your opponent, especially one as talented as Teiko, to just six points in the same duration, you're doing a commendable job," remarked Anzai. Meanwhile, Akashi, having received the ball, called for a ball screen, this time from Midorima.
Midorima obliged, executing a surprisingly effective screen that allowed Akashi to slip past Damien and make his way to the basket. "Not bad for a shooter, huh?" quipped Yoshimune, seeking a playful response. However, Anzai remained focused, watching intently as Teiko unfolded their next moves.
As Akashi reached the free-throw line, he astutely tossed the ball back to the three-point line when both Midorima's defender and Asuma collapsed on him. Midorima, having popped out to the three-point line after setting the screen, effortlessly received the ball and sank a three-pointer, extending Teiko's lead to three points with just 14 seconds left before the quarter's end.
"Akashi reached the free-throw line and threw the ball back to Midorima outside the three-point line. Great pick-and-pop movement there... and... Good! Teiko increased their lead to 3 points with less than 15 seconds remaining." Narrated Yoshimune as ANzai nodded his head in appreciation of the tactic employed.
"It seems like Kimura will not call a time-out as Mitobe inbounded the ball." Said Yoshimune surprised by such a thing.
"He only has three time-outs left, those can come in clutch during the fourth quarter. Plus, they're only down by three points, so there is no need to waste it." Commented Anzai as time ticked down. With six seconds remaining before the quarter ended, Hideki called for a ball screen and Mitobe complied. Using the screen, he got past Kise, but Murasakibara stood in front of him. Kise, instead of doubling, cut the passing lane toward Mitobe while the others stayed on their matchups.
Hideki looked lost but suddenly saw Damien shrug off Akashi and cut to the basket. So, without hesitation, he threw the ball in the air toward his direction. Murasakibara jumped to block the shot, but the ball passed right next to his hand as two dark hands grabbed the ball in the air and slammed it hard toward the basket. As soon as the ball got through the hoop, the buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the quarter.
"Wow... That's a great way to end a quarter isn't it." Praised Yoshinume as he found himself actually enjoying the game.
"The fans would say the same thing." Said Anzai with a laugh as the camera filmed the agitated and cited spectators in the stands. "They can't for the last quarter to start. With a tight score of 65 to 64 in Teiko Junior High's favor, let's see what the fourth quarter has in store for us. Before, a word from our sponsor..."