39 Chapter 39 : VS Seiho V - Senpai's Revenge!
Author note :
I am sorry if you will find a lot of timeskips in the next two chapters. I don't really know how to prolong this battle more than necessary, and I kinda wanted to just go for the battle against Shutoku. I hope you don't mind about it. Thank you!
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The second quarter just ended, and Seirin is progressing quite well for the entire quarter. Right after they gained the lead, they continue to suppress Seiho's offense while keeps scoring, widening the gap into nine points lead.
33 – 24
This might not be a big lead considering Seiho is still one of the best teams in Tokyo. But with Seiho's strong defense, this is the largest gap they suffered since the tournament begin. Hell, even Shutoku couldn't steal more than four points lead against them, So, it is a kinda big achievement for Seirin.
Ironically, all of this is not because of Seirin's offense, their strongest point. No, instead, it is because of how well they defend against Sehio, the strongest defense in the tournament. Yes, Seirin uses their opponent's main strength to deal with them, as if saying that they are better than Seiho now.
And the main protagonists in the second quarter are none other than Kagami, Tsuchida, and Koganei.
Kagami to everyone's surprise, not only didn't fall into Tsugawa's trickery and trash talk but also completely locked the shooting guard down, forcing him to miss five mid-range shoots from five attempts. The red-hair blocked Tsugawa's shoots twice and forced him to take bad attempts three times, resulting in Tsugawa not scoring any points in the second half.
For Tsuchida, even though he couldn't stop Iwamura all the time, there were a few times when Tsuchida managed to force him to take bad decisions that resulted in a quick fast break for Seirin. He also became a force to be reckoned with under the rim, securing four defensive rebounds and two offensive rebounds just in one quarter.
And as for Koganei, he is truly immersed in his role as the villain for Seiho. His stats are not really impressive. He only scores 4 points and 3 rebounds. But his impact on Seirin couldn't be measured with numbers. He was always on the move, wrecking havoc upon Seiho's formation no matter in the offense or defense. And coupled with his hustle, he became the most important player for Seirin on the court.
And speaking of Seirin's offense, there was not a lot that changed in the second quarter except Furihata farming for assist stats. In total, Furihata collected 8 assists just in this quarter, including five alley-oop play to Kagami and three consecutive three-point shots from Hyuga.
Overall, they killed Seiho in the second quarter.
However, that didn't let Riko's guard down. If anything, she is concerned with the state of her players.
Hyuga, her sharpshooter, has already played for the first two quarters without getting any rest. Fortunately enough, the captain still not showing any hint of tiredness here. But the players she worried about the most are Kagami and Furihata, the core of her team.
'They both sweated that much just for playing in two quarters. As expected of Seiho. Their hustle didn't give us any chance to take a breath. If this continued to happen, they both would collapse before the game ended. No, I need to rotate the players to preserve their stamina, especially the first years. Let the Senpai take over the game.'
"Okay, everyone, can I have your attention please?" She clapped her hands, gaining her players' attention.
"Thank you. All of you did a very good job in the first half, and I think we don't need to talk about that, right?"
All Seirin players nodded, too tired, and just wanting to get straight to the point.
"Okay, we will make a lot of changes in the second half. Kagami-kun, Furihata-kun, I will put you on the bench next quarter."
"Eh? Why?" Not only Kagami, almost everyone was taken aback by the sudden declaration. However, Furihata has guessed what Riko wants to do, so he nods without hesitation.
"Sure, I don't have any problem with that."
Now, everyone is looking at him strangely, making him roll his eyes.
"Why are you looking at me like that? It is obvious that we overdid things too much in the first half. Just look at us! We sweated this much just for twelve minutes of playing. Riko-senpai probably thinks it is best for us to save our energy for the next game."
When the team looked at Kagami and Furihata's condition, they couldn't help but nod. The two first-years are drenched in sweat as if they just finished doing some sort of marathon.
"Furihata-kun is right." Riko nodded. "They both are needed for the next game, so we couldn't afford them collapsing due to our carelessness. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Coach!"
All the players nodded, but this time understanding filled their eyes.
"Good! Izuki! Mitobe! You are up! Koganei, Junpei, Tsuchida, do you think you can still play?" Seeing the nods from all five, Riko smiles a little. "Good! Show them your worth!"
"Yes, Coach!" The senior members grinned, knowing Riko's intention. However, the first-year players didn't really know why she wouldn't put Kuroko in the game, so Kagami decided to ask,
"Is it really okay?" His tone filled with doubt. "Even though I don't want to admit it, our opponent is strong. Is it better to at least put Kuroko on the court?"
Riko nodded at his concern and replied,
"That is a good suggestion." She paused for a second. "However, Kuroko-kun's ability is limited, and his stamina is still the worst among the starting players. No offense, Kuroko-kun." She added the last part immediately for Kuroko. The blue-haired boy nodded without any hint of getting offended.
"Don't worry, Coach. I know my capability."
"Good. And as I said before, if we play Kuroko now, he would be less effective for the next game. I decided to save him right now and trust this team to deal with Seiho."
"Well.. If you put it that way.." Kagami has a thoughtful expression on his face. "But just like you said to me before the game, would it be useless if we cannot win the game?" He asked again, still not convinced by the player roster. However, it is not Riko who gives him an answer, but Furihata.
"Don't worry, Red." The point guard spoke calmly. "We are already on the lead. If something unexpected happened, Riko-senpai wouldn't hesitate to put us back into the game. Moreover, this game is also personal for our senpai. They will not mess this up, just trust them."
His speech was followed by a momentary silence. The senior members give him an appreciative look, thanking him silently. And the first-year members suddenly also realized what this game meant for their senpai.
It is revenge for the humiliation last year.
"Thank you for your trust, Furihata-kun." Riko suddenly spoke, breaking the silence. "Just like Furihata-kun said, it is a bit personal for us. I know you have doubts about your senpai, and this is not our strongest composition. But this time, I only ask you one thing, please just trust them. Can you do that?"
"Yes, Coach!"
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The third quarter started with the ball in Seiho's possession. Kasuga is holding the ball, being guarded by Izuki.
"So, your kouhai is resting, huh?" He spoke while guarding the ball. Izuki just nodded, keeping his focus on the ball.
"Well, it is good for us. We don't need to worry about that monster." Right after he says that he leaned his body forward, trying to drive past him. However, Izuki is able to follow him, and keep closing the distance while making body contact, preventing Kasuga from taking a shoot.
"Not bad. But your kouhai is still better than you." Kasuga smirked before he makes a sudden quick stop on the right low-post area, trying to send a floater to the basket. However, right before the ball released from his hand, he could hear Furihata murmur,
"My kouhai is better than me, huh? You are correct. But that doesn't mean I will let you do what you want, dumbass."
And after that, Kasuga could see Tsuchida jump from the paint area, blocking the shoot route that he would take. This was Izuki's main strength in defense. With his hawk eyes ability, he could lure his opponent to the spot where his best defender is waiting, and now, Kasuga is walking straight into his trap where Tsuchida is already waiting for them.
"Tch."
Kasuga gritted his teeth, trying to flick the ball so it would go higher. Unfortunately for him, Tsuchida managed to tip the ball, changing its route slightly from the basket.
*Clank!*
Nice defense!"
"Rebound!"
Everyone on the bench is worried that their senpai wouldn't be able to secure the rebound against Iwamura. But Mitobe is the best rebounder on the team. He secured a box-out position against Iwamura even before Kasuga released the ball, and when it bounced from the rim, he grabbed the ball in the air, winning the aerial battle against Seiho's captain.
"Nice rebound, Mitobe!"
"Here!"
Right after the center hears Izuki's voice, he sends the ball to the point guard who dribbled the ball quickly to Seiho's side.
"Fast break!"
"Stop him!"
Surprisingly, it is Tsugawa who managed to follow his movement. The baldie abandoned Hyuga for the sake of stopping Izuki from penetrating into the paint area.
"Ha! This would be easy! Your kouhai would be more challenging for me!"
Izuki couldn't help but roll his eyes at Tsugawa's remark.
'Are they really talking this much earlier?'
Nonetheless, he ignored the pressure from Tsugawa and right after he arrived at the paint area, he kicked the ball out to the high post area where Koganei is waiting.
"Ha! You chickened out!" Tsugawa exclaimed happily, trying to get any reaction from Izuki.
However, Izuki ignored the taunt, keep running to Koganei, and when they are getting near enough, Koganei handed the ball to him and set up a screen immediately to stop Tsugawa from chasing Izuki.
"Nice one, Koga!"
Right after he received the ball from Koganei, Izuki took one dribble before he tossed the ball to the wing area where Hyuga suddenly appeared out of nowhere without anyone guarding him. Someone from Seiho saw this and cursed out loud,
"It's a three! Shit!"
But he is way too late as Hyuga didn't even show any hesitation as he pulled up a three right after catching the ball.
*Splash!*
"Nice shoot, Junpei!"
"Good one, captain!"
"Nice setup, Izuki-senpai!"
The bench players when crazy for the last play. However, the players on the court didn't even celebrate the play. Instead, they keep pressuring Seiho players from their own side.
A full-court press!
"You folks are on the lead! Why are you pressuring us this high? Geez.." Kasuga trying to make a joke. But his face clearly didn't show any smile in it. Getting pressured from his own side, he was forced to pass the ball to his teammates.
However, his pass was tipped by Koganei who suddenly blocked the route pass.
"Damn!"
The situation on the court is chaotic. Everyone is trying to get the ball, yet no one was able to do so as their opponent would always be able to stop them from controlling the ball. And suddenly,
"I got it!" Tsugawa appeared from the thin air, securing the ball, and trying to stabilize the possession for Seiho. However, right before he could dribble the ball, the whistle was blown by the referee.
"Seiho High, 8 seconds violation turnover. Possession change, Seirin ball."
There is a second of silence falling on the court. But it was broken by the sudden roar from Koganei.
"LET'S GOOO!!!!"
And it was followed by his teammates.
Meanwhile, Seiho players are looking at each other with disbelief eyes. They cannot believe they are stupid enough to forget they have to advance through the middle-line court in eight seconds.
However, they couldn't do anything but lament their own mistake and move on quickly before they get swarmed by the next play.
The game restarted a second later with the inbound pass from Izuki to Koganei. Koganei handed the ball back to Izuki quickly after he get the ball, and Izuki also did the same, sending the ball to Mitobe in the low-post area.
"You shall not pass!"
Iwamura gritted his teeth, trying to push Mitoba away from the basket. However, getting near the basket is not Mitobe's intention. Instead, the quiet center jumped quickly, raising his arm with the ball high, and flicking it in a sweeping motion over his head.
A hook shot!
The ball bounced from the board to the rim before it went into the basket.
"Nice shoot, Mitobe!"
"Good one!"
While everyone from Seirin is celebrating with each other, Iwamura could only look at Mitobe in astonishment.
'He is just a rebounder and a screener last year, yet now he knows how to score. It seems they are really improved since our last game.'
And after that, he could feel a chill to his spin as if someone poured cold water into his back. When he turned around, he could see Seirin players looking at him hungrily, as if he is their prey.
'Damn! They are really up for revenge this time, and we are not prepared at all!'
He had a feeling that this game would not end up in their favor. Unfortunately, he couldn't do anything about it as the game is completely in Seirin's hands.
37 – 24
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Author note :
Next Chapter : VS Seiho VI - Win!
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You can also read this fanfiction up to chapter 59 on that page. Thank you! :)
