"The seniors sure are impressive, don't you think?" Hikigaya asked as he glanced at his teammates. "Yeah!" Ogiwara exclaimed happily as the team glanced at the scoreboard and the amount of time left.
Meikō : Kazami
35 : 24
Time remaining: 5:25
"Okay guys. Go warm up, you have 25 seconds before you enter the match." Coach Hiroshi stated as the five freshman stood up and started to warm up by stretching.
After 25 seconds, Meikō called a timeout as the freshman were subbed in for the game.
"We've done well. Now, let's observe our kouhai and see the talented players work their magic." Kazama stated as he went and took a seat on the bench.
"Hai Captain!" Came the chorus of the seniors who also sat down.
Meanwhile on Kazami's bench, the coach observed his team.
"We've done well up until now. Only an eleven point margin which I'm sure we can overcome after the end of this timeout. The upperclassmen, you're all doing exceptionally well, so I'll be keeping you on until the second quarter.
I'm fairly certain that Meikō will be substituting the senior players for the freshman. While we shouldn't underestimate them, you guys do have the experience over them. I imagine the score to be at least tied by the end of this quarter."
Coach Tokugawa's decision gave the upperclassmen a sense of happiness, knowing that despite being behind, their performance was good.
"We'll be switching the syle of play. This time. Jin. I want you to compete against the first year power forward, Hanazono Momoharu. Our sources suggest he's the ace of the team, suggesting that the offense will be run through him." Hyūga stated as the power forward nodded.
"Hai, Captain!"
"I want you guys to be wary of their point guard, Hikigaya Ryouta. Even from here, I feel his imposing aura and the presence he exudes is just insane. I can sense that even though Hanazono is the ace, the most dangerous player is in fact Hikigaya Ryouta. Be wary of him.
Their centre easily towers over everyone of us, so be wary of him when driving inside. He is most probably slower, therefore using your speed against him would be an advantage. Stepbacks would be useful against him, his height probably makes him slower, and less time to catch up to us." Hyūga informed.
"Other than that, play with all your might! Show these freshmen that us seniors are strong too!" Exclaimed Hyūga as his team cheered.
Observing this Mibuchi glanced at Hikki.
"They're quite a rowdy bunch aren't they?" Asked the black haired boy.
"Hmm. I don't like their noise. I'll crush them." Masahiko stated as he peered at the opponents.
"Isame. We will leave the entire area inside the three point line to you. With your speed and agility, nobody will be able to score against you." Hikigaya stated as Masahiko nodded.
"Shigehiro, Mibuchi, me and Momoharu will be defending the perimeter, Momoharu, Mibuchi, deny any shots on the perimeter, you guys will have a height advantage over me and Shigehiro. While you guys will be looking for opportunities to deny any shots on the perimeter, Shigehiro, me and you will look for opportunities to steal the ball.
They probably will look for opportunities to shut down Momoharu, as he is considered the ace of our group, that's why the offense will instead be run through primarily Reo. We will increase the lead, three points at a time." Was the order of Hikigaya as Coach Hiroshi could only watch as the freshman complied with Hikki's orders as if they were a decree by a King.
'He's a natural born leader!' the man thought.
The buzzer then rang, signalling the end of the timeout as the ball was in Meikō's possession.
The ball was inbounded to Hikigaya as Masahiko immediately stayed under Meikō's basket. 'What, is this formation?' Came the confused thought of Izuki as he faced off against Hikigaya.
Said white haired boy broke into a dribble as little by little, he increased his speed.
'I can't even keep track of the ball!' Thought Izuki as he attempted to look at the lightning quick ball travelling between Hikki's legs, behind Hikki and in front of Hikki like a flash.
But, the black haired boy stuck onto Hikki like glue.
"Why are you so persistent, when I don't even have the ball?" Was the question of the white haired boy as, true to his word, the ball was no longer in his hands, in fact, it was in Mibuchi Reo's hands, who immediately released the ball, easily sinking the three points.
'When did he pass the ball?' Was the collective thought of all of Kazami's players, who were all confused about what had just transpired.
"No point dwelling on this! Let's just get on with the game!" Came the shout of Hyūga as the team immediately inbounded the ball to Izuki, who swiftly passed Hyūga.
Said shooting guard deftly dribbled the ball as he swiftly passed to the ungaurded Jin. Who shot the ball. However...
A giant immediately reacted as he jumped high, easily swatting the attempt at a shot.
"This area inside the three point line...is my domain!" Exclaimed Masahiko as the shock was evident on Kazami's player's faces.
'he's also fast!' Hyūga thought in shock, "as if having a giant was already a cheat code," the black haired captain grumbled as Hikki immediately snatched the ball which was up for grabs as he passed it towards Momoharu, who was now ungaurded.
And it was as if a streak of blond ran through the court as a resounding slam was heard, the thunderous dunk was heard throughtout the court as Momoharu was met with no resistance at the rim.
'Unreal!' Hasaki thought as Kazami had just lost five points within 30 seconds.
Momoharu dropped onto the floor as he was happy.
"Yeah!" Exclaimed the boy, he had just scored his first dunk in middle school!
The blond went back on defense, met with praise from his teammates as he stayed in his defensive position.
As the first quarter continued, it was as if time stretched for Kazami High as for the remaining five minutes, they hadn't scored once. The final score of the first quarter being,
Meikō : Kazami
59 : 24
———
TBC
