35 The next opponents

While his teammates were celebrating, Akihiko walked towards LaVar and gave him a handshake.

LaVar accepted it, but Akihiko suddenly aid

"Your kids played well."

He then walked off. Seconds later, rage was visible on LaVar's face as he said

"You damn little ***!"

Lonzo and LiAngelo held him back, even though they had an expression of laughter on their faces.

After holding LaVar back, Lonzo and LiAngelo each went towards Akihiko for a handshake.

"We'll come back stronger next time." Lonzo says while LiAngelo nodded at his brother.

"I'll be expecting that in our next match-up!"

Everyone on Blackstone Academy's team gave Akihiko a thumbs up. After that, they made their way back to the locker room.

....

Meanwhile

On the stands…

"Blackstone Academy is our next opponents." A tall figure said

"So who's the biggest threat in that team?" One of the people around him began to ask

"It's definitely that Nash fella." Another guy suddenly chimed in and said

They all wore the same warm-up suits, which had the color black and the name Montverde placed on it.

"No, no." The tall figure said

He then continued,

"It's that Akashi. Throughout the whole game, even in the last seconds; he didn't seem fazed at all. That applied to the rest of the team too."

"It's as if, they knew that they were going to win from the start." What the tall figure said was enough for the people around him to get goosebumps.

"But Coach, what made you say that Akashi was the most dangerous out of them." One of his players pointed out, seeing that Akashi was one of the players that didn't have the greatest impact on the game during the first few rounds

"It's a gut feeling. I've also noticed the pattern of the whole team. See how passive he plays for the first quarter, then he suddenly becomes aggressive in the 2nd half. It's also not a joke how he can dunk."

The team then went on to discuss Blackstone Academy's strengths and weaknesses. For them, this was important so that they could be prepared for their opponents.

....

It was the next day and today was the day of the finals.

This time, they were using the main area, which was as big enough to accommodate a thousand people. Some teams who already lost were going to watch the game, while some chose to go home.

"Hey, who do you think will win?" A spectator asked his friend

"You crazy? Of course Monteverde." His friend replied as they entered the main area.

While walking they saw the players wearing their warm-up suits

"Isn't that them?"

Cladded in their black warm-up suits. The players from Monteverde had a certain amount of presence with them.

"Hmph, I hope they don't get blown out like the other teams we faced." A player from the team ridiculed their opponents as they made their way to their respective locker rooms.

At the other side of the area…

"I'm shaking…" William commented while he wore his shoes at the locker room.

"Oh, don't be like that." Being the good senior he was, Mike patted William's back

"Instead, be excited." He added

***

Inside the other locker room.

A teenage boy was wearing his uniform when he was interrupted by his teammate scolding him,

"Ben! Why didn't you come to practice yesterday!"

The teenager named Ben replied nonchalantly,

"Too lazy man, besides, we're going to be facing unknown bums."

His teammate calmed down after hearing that, but still harrumphed,

"You know, I'm kind of envious of you, you have all that talent but won't put any work into it. If I were you, I would train even harder everyday like damn."

Ben's expression on his face didn't change as he then said,

"You're not me though, Captain"

The whole room was tense again as the Captain of the team grabbed Ben's collar. But as soon as things were about to escalate even further, the coach, who was unbothered by all of it, intruded.

"That's enough Devon, if Ben gets hurt we're losing our main firepower."

"But coach, why are you so afraid of some new kids?"

******

The lights flashed

It was now time for the game to decide the winner of the finals

The main area that was able to fill thousands was at max capacity as it included some of the schools who lost, visitors, and the students from the university that hosted the event.

The players from Montverde started to arrive as the announcers from the stands began to announce the individual names of the players

"Ben Simmons!" With the entrance of the teenage boy named Ben, they announced.

The crowd cheered as they heard the name, meaning they were familiar with one of the stars of Montverde

"Devon Bookit!" The teenager wearing the armband on his shoulder went to the court after Ben, earning the cheers of the crowd.

"D'angelo Russel!" Another teenager appeared walking down the court, the intensity of the cheers were as loud as Ben's.

"Jordan Beach! Sukma Knots!" The announcer then said the last two names of the starting five that represented Montverde.

****

"Those two, Russel and Simmons, are the two stars of Montverde that we are going to face." Alexandra stated to their team as they await their turn.

Every player of Blackstone looked focused and ready and at the very next second, they heard the announcer's voice

"And now, Blackstone Academy!"

The players of Blackstone Academy readied their way to court.

Akihiko was feeling melancholic at this moment,

"This familiar atmosphere, this is what I had always desired of." He clenched his fists. He was more than ready to face off against the biggest opponents he had in this lifetime