After the time-out, it was the 3rd grade team's turn.
Captain Suzuo Shigeru kept the ball over his head but suddenly realized that the opponent's defense was weakening. He took the opportunity to shoot a three-pointer directly over his head.
Chin~!
Coach Kitagawahara Masa listened to the clear sound of the iron strike and unconsciously rubbed his forehead.
"Get back on defense! Get back on defense!" he shouted.
But just as the third-year team was about to go back on defense, something unexpected happened in the next second.
The sophomore center suddenly realized that a hand had intercepted the ball over his head. He could only catch a glimpse of the shining silver color in front of him in amazement.
And...
The number 15 on his black training vest stood out.
Sendou Mitsuki: "!?
Damn it!"
To be honest, even Sendou Mitsuki was so surprised to catch this ball that his eyes widened in amazement.
Known by the nickname 'Operating Room in the Penalty Area', Mitsuki's rebounding ability and unique instincts allowed him to subconsciously jump and use his speed and height advantage.
Even when he grabbed the ball in mid-air and landed on the ground, he couldn't fully recover from his surprise.
"Captain!"
After grabbing the rebound, Sendou Mitsuki turned his head to signal a pass to Suzuo Shigeru. Suzuo Shigeru stopped quickly, raised his hand and caught the ball.
The pass was so fast that it went straight into his hands like a cannonball.
Meanwhile, outside the court, the basketball team players cheered at Sendou Mitsuki's comfortable rebound and pass.
At the same moment, Suzuo Shigeru seemed to have learned his lesson and took two steps closer to the three-point line. He tried shooting again from a closer position, but there was a big difference between his imagined accuracy and reality. There was a serious problem with the accuracy of his shots today!
"Shit!"
The shot missed again. Suzuo Shigeru shouted angrily, clenching his fist:
"Recoil! Protect the recoil!"
This time everyone on the second-year team focused on rebounds. Ogi Oka Kasa Yuki even went under the basket to help his teammates block Sendou Mitsuki with their bodies.
But at that moment, Yukio Kasamatsu felt for the first time the incredible power in Sendou Mitsuki's lower body!
After that...
Technical skill came into play!
As soon as Sendou Mitsuki faced his opponent, he quickly turned his body and took an ideal position, completely blocking Yukio Kasamatsu behind him.
Shhh~!
He jumped up from the ground with a powerful push.
Crack~!
He was going up fast! His jumping height was also impressive! He grabbed the offensive rebound and sent the ball out again.
Chin~!
The third-year player missed the shot once again. Some of the team members were helpless and some were full of anticipation. The desperate part was that the third-year player's shooting was very erratic today. The expectation was that Sendou Mitsuki, the newcomer on the court, would continue to get the offensive rebounds.
"Come on! Protect the rebound!"
"Protect the rebound!"
The sophomores on the court shouted loudly at their sophomore center defending the basket.
Ryohei Kajima, who started in Okayama and played as a reserve center, and whom the team followed with high expectations, couldn't stop rookie Sendou Mitsuki from grabbing two offensive rebounds in a row. On one particular possession, this failure happened even though he blocked his position with the support of his teammates.
This was completely unacceptable for Kajima. Gritting his teeth, he thought that this time he had to get the rebound. He desperately tried to defend his rebounding position, but he was up against Sendou Mitsuki, nicknamed "The Penalty Area O.R.". Mitsuki's powerful body movements felt like a bulldozer running over Kajima.
Still, Kajima held on for the sake of his honor and to keep his starting position.
Two players were battling under the basket, one tall and slender, the other short but strong. Although their body builds and muscle density were completely opposite, Sendou Mitsuki's struggle for the strong position was as impressive as a meat grinder. The audience in the gymnasium watched the scene in amazement and the shouts were silenced.
Kajima saw the rebound coming from the air and used all his strength to hold his position. A smile spread across his face as he rose above the ball. But the next second...
Shhh~!
Whoosh!
There was nothing behind her. A silver light appeared on his side and he subconsciously tried to block it. But he failed again!
Crack~!
Immediately afterward, the silhouette of Sendou Mitsuki, the freshman who had gotten the rebound, reappeared.
The audience is stunned, Mitsuki works wonders
"Position... A great fake!"
"What a fast turn!"
"The jump after the turn is unbelievably fast!"
Sendou Mitsuki's three consecutive offensive rebounds had everyone on the sidelines talking excitedly. Kajima still couldn't believe how his opponent could perform like that.
On the other side, Mitsuki ignored his opponent's mood and passed the ball back to captain Suzuo Shigeru. Even though he was having a bad game, Shigeru at least took a shot without hesitation.
Shhh~!
A mid-range shot!
The members outside the court were hoping that this shot would miss, because everyone wanted to see Mitsuki's scary rebounding ability again. However...
Shhh!
Two-point shot!
Suzuo Shigeru, the scorer, raised his fist in the air. He felt he had regained the "feel" for shooting.
On the sidelines, Coach Kitagawahara Masa was looking intently at Mitsuki. He thought to himself:
"Why didn't he take his own offense after performing so effectively in the penalty box and grabbing 3 rebounds in a row? Did he realize that his third-year player was feeling bad? Or did he want to help them find their form?"
However, the coach did not underestimate Mitsuki's offensive ability. Judging by his athletic performance in the penalty box, it was clear that Mitsuki could easily put the ball in the basket with his sudden leap.
But the truth is that as soon as the rebounding round was over, the "Penalty Area Surgery" effect was gone. Mitsuki's speed, strength and leaping ability were greatly reduced. This was a clear indication that his physical limits were now pushing him to the limit.