Coach:" Well done guys, we as a team managed to build up a sizable difference against our opponents in the first half. In the second, I want us to maintain the difference but try to conserve your energy and focus your attention on defense. Remember, this is only the first game of the preliminaries, we still have many more matches to go, I don't want you to regret this later on.
Yukio, Haru and Kotaro will sit out for the rest of the game Yuki, Koki and Yuto will sub with you . Kaen and Kiyoshi will continue playing, I want you guys to use the pick and roll when you can."
"Yes coach." We said. The 10 minute half time break then ended and we headed back out onto the court to continue the match.
When I stepped back onto the court, I saw Shoichi, Hanamiya and the rest of their team standing in the corner discussing something. I looked closer and saw that they were gesturing looking as though they were going to elbow somebody.
I narrowed my eyes. What the hell was going on, I knew there was something wrong with Shoichi but I did not expect him to go along with Hanamiya. This was not what happened in the anime as far as I can remember. Well, if they are going to play rough, so am I.
"Eh Kiyoshi, look over there in the corner. I think the game is gonna get physical pretty quickly." I pointed out to Kiyoshi.
Kiyoshi looked at the corner and didn't take long to figure out what was going on. He gathered the rest of the team and told them what was going on.
"So...What are we going to do?" Asked Yuto.
"Well expect to be beaten up later. But when someone shoves you, don't be a pussy, shove them back. Show that we ain't scared of them." I declared.
Kiyoshi:" Yeah Kaen's right, once we back down they know they got us, but when you fight back try to do it when the ref isn't looking."
Kiyoshi then got the ball and inbounded it to me. I started making my way up the court deciding what to do. Once I crossed half court, I called for a screen from Koki and went around him. I thought my Shoichi got caught in the screen and started to pull up for a three. Suddenly I felt a tug from behind and my form got screwed up, causing me to shoot a shot that bounced of the rim and getting rebounded by Kosuke.
I turned and saw Shoichi grinning, shaking my head, I ran past him going back on defense. This bitch just grabbed my shirt, he's gonna pay.
Kosuke then pushed the pace and brought the ball up the court, he passed the ball to Miyakji who pulled up behind the arc. His shot was kinda flat and bounced off the rim. I ran forward and prepared to catch the rebound. I then felt nudge into my side and step on my foot.
I looked and saw that it was Hanamiya holding me down. Seeing that the ref was not focusing on me, I brought my shoulder down low and rammed it into his chest, the momentum caused him to back away a step allowing me to catch the rebound easily.
As I dribbled the ball past him, I whispered in his ear:" Watch where you step or you may get hurt."
I passed the ball to Koki who shot the ball and went in.
Shoichi then brought the ball up and passed it to Mitsuhiro we drove to the basket. When he was about to reach the paint, he put a hand on Koki and gave him a push. Giving him a wide open space to make the floater.
On offense I drove to the basket, I bodied my way into the paint and did a quick pump fake. Shoichi took and bait and jumped, I waited and jumped right into him, my elbow slamming into his chest. The ref blew the whistle and I tossed the ball into the basket getting the and 1. I then went to the free throw line and made the shot.
Shoichi was now clearly in pain but didn't show it, he passed the ball to Hanamiya who fed the ball to Kosuke down low. Kosuke then started backing into Kiyoshi. He then turned and jumped up, gripping the ball tightly. The ball hit Kiyoshi in the chin and he backed down allowing Kosuke to make the layup.
Once I got the ball I looked and Kiyoshi and saw the fire in his eyes. I gave him the ball and he went to work. He brought his shoulder into Kosuke and backed into him. He then did a hop step, bypassing Kosuke and slammed the ball into the basket.
The game continued in a similar fashion and by the time the buzzer sounded, we were all bruised and battered. The score was now 90- 70. Chiben hadn't managed to close the score and we were barely hanging on the the point difference. Everybody on both sides had some sort of bruise or scratch on their body and was exhausted.
But this was not enough, I knew that we couldn't continue this for another quarter or someone was going to get injured. I went over to Shoichi and said:" How's your body feeling? Before you say anything, it was you who started this."
Shoichi:" I'm sure I'm feeling the same as you. Wanna go at this for another quarter."
"Dude. I don't understand why you are still gonna try, we got a 20 point lead on you. The game is over, give up. Just go to the bench and send out your starters." I said trying to demoralize him.
Shoichi:" Here's the thing you don't understand. I'm a third year, this is my last year playing middle school basketball. If I lose now, its over there is no second chance..."
"Blah blah blah, so touching. Do you still not get it, you will never win us no matter how hard you try. The players on your team are good but they are just role players, you have no star. On the other hand my team is full of stars, no matter how hard you try you will never beat the talented. Give up." I said.
I'm feeling like a real asshole right now but he the message is gonna get to him. Looking at Shoichi's downtrodden face, I knew I had achieved my goal and went back to my bench.
Kiyoshi:" Hey Kaen, why were you talking to that point guard just now. He's an ass, stay away from him."
"Relax man. I know you pissed about earlier but from now on the game is going to be easier. I caan promise you we got this W in the bag."
_______
Feed me your power stone