Higashigahara didn't linger on the previous play as they quickly got the ball to Eiji who drove toward Jun, his speed was upped another notch, making it even more difficult for Jun to defend against. Although reluctant Jun was beaten by a swift Spin move, leaving Jun in the dust and scoring. (3-4)
Jun with the ball in hand, proceeded to pay Eiji back with the same coin, as he did his signature half-spin fake, which left Eiji rooted to the ground, unable to react. He proceeded to shoot the ball right after leaving Eiji behind not wanting to tire himself unnecessarily. (5-4)
The match resumed in this manner as both Jun and Eiji pushed through against each other, scoring left and right, if someone wanted to intervene they would find themselves being played by either of them.
A depressing scene for the rest of the players and a thrilling scene for the crowd who were witnessing a thrilling ace battle.
Unfortunately, Kibito was on the losing end as the score was 15-17.
Jun wanted to curse as he thought of Eiji's basketball skills and fitness. Jun wanted to curse as through these weeks of matches until the finals, he hadn't seen a good skill, outside of a defensive skill. [ Vertical Leap (C): Enhance the leaping ability aiding in reaching high to block shots, contest rebounds, and alter opponents' attempts near the basket. ]
This skill had been taken from an opponent whom he had clashed against in the Semi-Finals, outside of this skill, no other skill caught his eye. Jun had been searching for something related to movement reading but it had never happened. But in the face of such a talented player, Jun was thrilled to see what he had. Just what skills would he have?
For that, he needed to defeat him. Jun was thinking about the subject and Eiji is a player who much like Aomine, solely wants to rely on his strength. As such to defeat him either Jun should take him down in his own game or he would rely on his teammates and show that his basketball is wrong, or make him perceive it as such. But it was too hard to do this.
Jun sighed. 'How can I disrupt his rhythm...' Jun tried to find an answer but it had never come.
Nonetheless, he had a wide smile on his face, he welcomed the difficulty. This is what he always yearned for, playing against such a high-tier player was fun. Jun wasn't confident in winning against him because it was in all honesty a 40/60 in Eiji's favour.
Luckily, It seemed that Higashigahara players weren't much. Jun wondered how they had won the national stage with such a team the prized players had already graduated but normally when you win nationals you receive a big influx of players. Yet they haven't demonstrated much up until now. The players had the basics down, but they were overly reliant on their captain.
Before the start of the second quarter, gave a couple of words to his teammates, especially Yoshi.
The ringing of the bell soon marked the second quarter, Eiji's eyes remained glued to Jun as his overall demeanor had changed.
''You, what is your name?'' Eiji asked surprising Jun slightly.
''Aozaki Jun.''
''Noted.'' Eiji nodded focusing.
''Yours?''
Eiji's eyes widened once again. ''You don't know me?''
In response, Jun shrugged.
''Whatever man... Remember because it will be the name of the one who will win this game singlehandedly, Sawakita Eiji''
Jun nodded. ''I'll add you to the list... Of the good players I defeated.'' Jun then darted toward the paint.
He wanted to close the gap and tie the match right from the start. Yoshi delivered a good over-the-head pass.
Jun grabbed the ball mid-air and rammed the ball with the first dunk of the match. Awarding cheers as the crowd got crazy, by his exceptional jump power. (17-17)
''Let's go!'' Jun voiced as he high-fived his teammates.
The next attack Jun was once again by Eiji who jumped high challenging Yukio who was ready to slam the ball away, but surprisingly Yukio lost as he was dunked on by Eiji who held the rim while he stared at Jun.
As if proclaiming that whatever Jun did he could do better than him.
'Cheeky bastard.' Jun thought as he saw his actions.
Yoshi held the ball as he progressed toward the opposing courtside, he stared at Jun who was being marked by the opponent #9, they all had heard his instructions and quickly he saw him move.
Jun quickly did a screen, helping Yoshi get through the opposing PG, but the direction Yoshi progressed toward was toward Eiji who was following close to Jun.
Eiji obviously wouldn't let Yoshi get through and changed his mark with his teammate who had just been screened.
Yoshi had a smile on his face. ''Seriously...'' he mumbled as he did a bounce pass in the direction of Jun who had already moved inside the opposing free throw line.
Ball in hand Jun jumped and the opposing center jumped in an attempt to block. Jun shifted his center of gravity and did a high release, this little delay promoted a much heavier contact between them.
With the contact, Jun released the ball. *Whistle*
Jun fell to the ground as he heard the referee. '' Basket count. Free throw.'' The referee did a couple of hand signs as he spoke. Jun didn't miss that free throw. (20-17)
Higashigahara players didn't dwell on this further and quickly got the ball back into the field, as predictable as they could be they only had eyes toward Eiji, who was being heavily marked by Jun, meanwhile, the pass course was being blocked by Kibito remaining players.
This placed them in a dilemma, but they attacked nonetheless. They were players who had gone to the national stage and faced with Kibito's defense comparing it to those other teams they had it easier.
With a couple of passes, the ball found itself beside Kibito's screen, held by the opposing center who although being overpowered by Yukio, managed to land a good hook shot. (20-19)
Staring at the textbook play they had just done, Jun frowned slightly, but it was their time to be on the offense.
A replica of their previous attack unfolded, Jun moved toward the teammate with the ball and sought a screen, and then he moved inside, where he would receive a pass right after and score.
Higashigahara players knew what they were going to do yet they didn't have a way to stop it, Jun Screen was that good, well timed, and above anything else they provided the needed space for his teammates to progress alone in the court something that Higashigahara players didn't want.
As such the score widened in Kibito's favor, with Eiji growing frustrated with the little ball possession he had in this 2nd quarter. ( 46-39 )
Jun was sweating as this strategy was taking a toll on him, he needed to constantly be moving in the offense, for screens, and in the defense to both stop Eiji and block pass routes.
All these things together enhanced his fatigue. Jun needed to take it easy or else he wouldn't last till the 4th quarter. If he wasn't in the game, Eiji would melt them. So he couldn't rest.
It was halftime and Jun was in the locker room sitting trying to stabilize his breathing. Once he deemed it enough, Jun spoke to his teammates.
''Now we have an advantage, but don't be complacent, Yoshi should rest and come back fresh for the 4th inning. Isao in you go.'' The players in question nodded.
''Isao you are very good at doing steals, make use of it. No need to tightly mark your opponent, once someone is distracted you snatch it. I'll be playing as a point guard the next inning, so expect the passes, I don't want you guys to be in the same place waiting for whatever, keep moving.'' Jun clapped his hand.
''They will come out strong but we will be stronger.''
''Yes.''
The atmosphere in Kibito's locker room was different from the one in Higashigahara's.
Eiji was on the bench, his right leg restless as he heard the coach talk. 'Man if Reo was here I wouldn't be in this situation...'
''Eiji!'' The coach voiced, making Eiji look at him. ''Their #7 keep pressuring him.''
Eiji drank a little bit of water and responded. ''Actually, there is no need to worry, in this last quarter he overdid himself. If he does that again he won't be lasting much of the 3rd and 4th, if I keep scoring and we aren't that behind we win once he goes to the bench.''
Faced with the confidence of his prodigious player, the coach nodded his head and continued with his instructions.
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Sorry for the wait, I am sick but I wrote the chapter though It seems weird in my book, I've read this and reread it and It seems so weird. So do tell me where to improve on this one.