Chereads / THE PERFECT SHOT: A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER / Chapter 9 - PREPARATIONS FOR THE PRACTICE MATCH AGAINST YOKONAN HIGH SCHOOL

Chapter 9 - PREPARATIONS FOR THE PRACTICE MATCH AGAINST YOKONAN HIGH SCHOOL

( Basketball players running up and down the court)

(Noboru): come on man, when is she going let us stop, I'm gonna dying

(Shino): I don't think that I can hold out much longer, I'm gonna pass out

Nanaho: And that's the end of training guys, good work

(Everyone breathes heavily)

Noboru: finally,(takes a deep breath), it's over

(Shino falls on all fours and trys to catch his breath)

Nanaho: gather around everyone, I have an announcement to make

Nanaho: I know that we have been training for only three weeks now and half of our team is practically inexperienced but I got a great news, I got us a practice match

Shino: what?!B..but it's too soon

Noboru: it's fine by me, time for me to showcase my skills

Nanaho: however, it's not just any team, it's the powerhouse Yokonan high school

Takahiro: Yokonan?!

Hayato: they are last year's runner ups and they made quite the impact in the inter high, ranking fifth place

Yukio: not only that, they have one of the most dangerous player on their team , he won many scoring titles back in junior high

Nanaho: there are three players that we need to watch out for. Takeshi Kayano, he plays guard, five feet ten inches tall, he's a great scorer and decision maker on the court ,which makes him dangerous. Then we have Kogure Kobayashi , power forward, six feet and four inches tall. He's their main scorer and he's also one of the best defensive players in the league . Then there's their captain, Keichiro Yamada. He's six feet seven inches tall and he's their Centre. He's a monster on both defense and offense

Shino: (gulps)

Noboru: how interesting, a worthy opponent to test my strength on

Yukio: though they'll more than likely let us play their second squad

Takahiro: yes

Shino: what do you mean by second squad?

Yukio: well, every year Yokonan always have three teams and all of them have fifteen members. However only the first team and sometimes the second actually gets to play

Shino: I see

Noboru: They are such a cocky team, I'll show them what I'm made of

Nanaho: I have decided that starting tomorrow we will work on both our offensive setting and defense, you were all developing individually but now you will all develop as a team.

Nanaho: I got some plays in mind that I'd like us to work on

Yukio: that's good to know

Nanaho: alright everyone go ahead and clean up and don't forget to stretch

Everyone: yes

Shino: um, Tetsuo

Tetsuo: yes?

Shino: can I talk to you for a sec?

Tetsuo: okay

Tetsuo: so what do you want to talk about?

Shino: um, I was just wondering if you could please teach me how to make a layup shot. Throughout the training sessions we had so far I didn't actually learnt how to score a shot at all. The practice match is only a week away and I want to be at least able to score some points for us. So would you please show me.

Tetsuo: okay, watch me

(Tetsuo dribbles the basketball to the hoop)

(Takes two steps)

(Then lays the basketball on the backboard)

(Swoosh)

Tetsuo: were you paying attention?

Shino: yes I was

Tetsuo: okay , then let me explain

Tetsuo: a layup shot is one of the simplest in basketball, it has one of the highest percentage when it comes to scoring. If you want to be able to score them you'll have to place the ball on the right spots on the backboard. So before we get to the actual movements you'll be practicing how to score consistently. Is that clear?

Shino: yes

(Shino): here goes

(Shino shoots a layup)

(Misses)

(Shino shoots another layup)

(Misses on the backboard)

Noboru: why are teaching that amateur, he won't learn , you're just wasting your time

Nanaho: shut up

(Nanaho hits Noboru on his shoulder)

Noboru: ouch!! Hey that hurts

(Shino): Noboru is right, I am a waste of time

Tetsuo: focus, remember to find the right spots on the backboard, preferably the small rectangular shape above the rim

Shino: okay

(Shino): so aim for that spot huh

(Shino shoots a layup shot)

(Swoosh)

Shino: what? I actually made it, yes!!

Tetsuo: try making a couple more

Shino: yes

(Shino shoots a layup)

(Swoosh)

(Yukio): (smiles) , can't believe I doubted that kid , he's got heart and that alone will help him improve at a fast rate, if we keep this up I believe that we can make it to the inter high

Tetsuo: I'm home

Usagi: welcome home big brother, you're just in time for dinner, it's almost ready

Tetsuo: oh thank you Usagi

Usagi: go ahead and sit down

Tetsuo: okay

Usagi: here you go

Tetsuo: thank you

Tetsuo and Usagi: thanks for the meal

Usagi: so how was training ?

Tetsuo: it actually went well today

Usagi: I see

Usagi: do you feel any different?

Tetsuo: I honestly don't but I can't deny that I feel something whenever I'm playing basketball, I don't know how to explain it

Usagi: that means you're making progress big brother, don't let go off that feeling

Tetsuo: yes, I won't

(Cell phone rings)

(Tetsuo looks at Usagi )

Usagi: go ahead and answer

Tetsuo: hello?

Haruko: hey, longtime no see

Tetsuo: who is this?

Haruko: eh, oh I almost forgot I didn't tell you my name, I am Haruko Takahashi, the girl you met at the court the other day.

Tetsuo: oh, you're that girl

Haruko: yes, I was wondering, can you come by the court tonight I need help with something, but if it's a bother to you I don't mind you not coming

Tetsuo: I'll be there, after I finish cleaning up and also finished eating my dinner

Haruko: okay , thank you, I'll be waiting

( Haruko hangs up )

Usagi: was that a girl

Tetsuo: yes

Usagi: I didn't know you had a girl's number except mine and to be meeting this late, what are you up to?

Tetsuo: don't worry , she just asked for tips to improve her game in basketball

Usagi: so she's a basketball player?

Tetsuo: yes

Usagi: are you sure you're not in a relationship with her

Tetsuo: why would I be?

Tetsuo: I'm heading out now , lock up the place for me

Usagi: okay, stay safe

Tetsuo: yes I will, keep the place locked up until I get back okay