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Chapter 7 - Chapter 7: Clash with Midori High

The day of the Midori High game arrived, and the atmosphere was electric. The gym was packed with students, parents, and fans from both schools. Midori High had a reputation, and the crowd knew that this was going to be a high-stakes match.

As Kazuki warmed up on the court, he could feel the intensity in the air. His eyes kept drifting over to the other side of the court where Midori's players were getting ready. Their captain, Keita Sugihara, was casually shooting jumpers from the three-point line, barely breaking a sweat. His form was perfect, his movements smooth and effortless. Kazuki had heard all about Sugihara's dominance—his ability to drive to the basket, his quickness, and his deadeye shooting.

But Toraoka wasn't backing down. This was their chance to prove that they could compete with the best.

The Game Begins

The referee blew the whistle, and the opening tip was underway. Once again, Hiroshi won the tip for Toraoka, and Kazuki quickly took control of the ball. But unlike their previous game, Midori's defense was immediately on him. Sugihara himself was guarding Kazuki, his long arms and quick feet making it hard for Kazuki to find any space.

Kazuki dribbled left, then right, trying to shake Sugihara with his handles. But Sugihara stayed in front of him, cutting off every angle. Kazuki passed the ball off to Ryota, who was coming around a screen at the three-point line. Ryota took the shot, but Midori's defense was right there, contesting it. The ball bounced off the rim, and Midori quickly grabbed the rebound.

They pushed the ball up the court, wasting no time in setting up their offense. Sugihara dribbled with confidence, his eyes scanning the floor. With a quick burst of speed, he drove past Ryota and weaved through the defense, finishing with a smooth layup over Hiroshi's outstretched arm.

Midori was on the board first.

Early Struggles

The first quarter was a disaster for Toraoka. Midori's defense was suffocating, and Toraoka couldn't seem to get any clean looks at the basket. Ryota's shooting was off, Hiroshi was struggling to deal with Midori's physicality in the paint, and Kazuki found himself constantly pressured by Sugihara.

By the end of the first quarter, Toraoka was down 18-6.

In the huddle, Coach Inoue's voice was calm but firm. "You're letting them dictate the pace," he said, looking at each of his players. "We knew this was going to be tough, but you're playing into their hands. Kazuki, don't let Sugihara rattle you. Stay composed. We need you to control the game."

Kazuki nodded, his mind racing. He knew Coach was right. He had been too focused on trying to match Sugihara's speed and skill instead of playing his own game.

The Fight Back

As the second quarter began, Kazuki made a decision. He wasn't going to try to go head-to-head with Sugihara. He was going to focus on what he did best—creating opportunities for his teammates.

He slowed the game down, taking his time to set up the offense. Instead of trying to force his way through Midori's defense, he started looking for gaps in their formation. When Sugihara pressed up on him, Kazuki used quick, controlled dribbles to create just enough space to make a pass.

He found Hiroshi in the post, who powered through for a tough layup. On the next possession, Kazuki dished the ball out to Ryota, who hit a mid-range jumper. The points started to add up, and slowly, Toraoka chipped away at Midori's lead.

But Midori wasn't backing down. Sugihara continued to dominate, driving to the basket with ease and knocking down shots from all over the court. Toraoka's defense was struggling to contain him, and by halftime, they were still down by 12 points.

Halftime Adjustments

In the locker room, the mood was tense but not defeated. Coach Inoue stood in front of the whiteboard, outlining their strategy for the second half. "We're still in this," he said. "But we have to make adjustments. Kazuki, I need you to keep controlling the pace. Focus on breaking down their defense with your passing. And Ryota, find your shot. You're open on those screens—trust yourself."

Kazuki listened intently. He knew this game wasn't over yet. They had been in tough spots before, and they had fought their way back. But this felt different. Midori was relentless, and Sugihara was on a whole other level.

As they headed back out onto the court, Kazuki caught sight of Mika in the stands. She was watching him closely, her expression calm but supportive. He took a deep breath, feeling a sense of calm wash over him.

Just play your game, he reminded himself.

The Second Half: A New Approach

The third quarter started with a renewed energy from Toraoka. Kazuki, now fully committed to being the playmaker, began to orchestrate the offense with more precision. He found Hiroshi for easy baskets in the paint and set up Ryota for a few wide-open three-pointers.

Ryota's shots finally started to fall, and with each basket, Toraoka's confidence grew. Midori's defense was still tough, but Kazuki's calm control of the ball slowed down their aggressive style. He was careful with his dribbles, using his speed to slip past defenders and create openings without forcing the issue.

By the end of the third quarter, Toraoka had cut the lead down to five points. The crowd was on their feet, sensing the shift in momentum.

But Sugihara wasn't done.

The Final Quarter: Sugihara's Challenge

The fourth quarter was a battle of wills. Sugihara, determined to keep Midori ahead, took control of the game. He knocked down back-to-back jumpers and drove through Toraoka's defense with ease, drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line.

Kazuki, feeling the pressure, knew he had to step up. With five minutes left on the clock and Toraoka down by seven, he called for a pick-and-roll with Hiroshi. As Hiroshi set the screen, Kazuki used his quick handles to shake off Sugihara for just a second, enough to dart into the lane.

Midori's center stepped up to block him, but Kazuki made a sharp pass to Hiroshi, who slammed the ball through the hoop. The crowd erupted, and Toraoka was back within striking distance.

The game continued to go back and forth, with both teams trading baskets. With less than a minute to go, Toraoka was down by two points. Kazuki dribbled the ball at the top of the key, watching Sugihara carefully. He could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him, but he refused to let it shake his focus.

He drove to the right, using his speed to slip past Sugihara, but Midori's defense collapsed on him quickly. With no time to spare, Kazuki kicked the ball out to Ryota, who was waiting at the three-point line.

Ryota hesitated for a moment—just long enough for Sugihara to close in on him.

But instead of forcing the shot, Ryota passed it back to Kazuki, who was now wide open at the top of the key.

Kazuki's heart pounded as he squared up for the shot. His shooting had always been his weakness, but this was the moment. He couldn't hesitate. He took a deep breath and released the ball.

The Final Shot

The ball soared through the air, the entire gym holding its breath. It hit the front of the rim, bounced up, and then, almost in slow motion, fell through the hoop.

Kazuki couldn't believe it. The shot had gone in.

Toraoka was up by one.

Midori called a quick timeout, setting up a final play with only seconds left on the clock. Sugihara, of course, was their go-to guy, and everyone knew it. But Toraoka's defense was ready.

As the ball was inbounded, Sugihara received it at the top of the key. He dribbled hard to the left, trying to create space for a final shot, but Kazuki was right there, staying on him, refusing to give him an inch.

Sugihara pulled up for a deep three, the ball soaring toward the basket.

It clanged off the rim.

The buzzer sounded, and the game was over.

Toraoka had won.

End of Chapter 7