AN__:
Hello!
Considering most of your feedback, I'll be posting four chapters per week, with a focus on keeping each chapter under 5,000 words. This will make it more manageable for me, as I won't have to combine or edit multiple chapters into one.
I also want to give a shoutout to @Crocodile59 for pointing out that I mention Koganei's professional background too frequently. I'll do my best to reduce those references. Thanks for the suggestion.
If any of you have further suggestions to enhance the readability of this novel, please don't hesitate to share them. I'm open to feedback, whether it's positive or critical. However, if the suggestion contradicts the planned storyline, I will most likely not consider it.
I truly appreciate everyone for reading this fanfiction. Your support means a lot to me. Thank you!
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As the game reached a critical point with Teiko leading 35-33 and Aomine's electrifying dunk sending shockwaves through the arena, Coach Kimura had no choice but to call a timeout. He knew the importance of halting any momentum that Teiko and Aomine might be building.
In the huddle, Kimura gathered his players, emphasizing the need to stay focused and maintain their game plan. He reminded them that they had already shown their capabilities by keeping up with a powerhouse like Teiko. The dunk by Aomine was an impressive individual effort, but it didn't change the fact that this was a team sport, and Yuuki Junior High was a team that had worked together to reach this stage.
After delivering his words of encouragement and ensuring his players' morale remained intact, Coach Kimura shifted his attention to Mitobe. The young teenager appeared thoroughly fatigued, staying on the court far beyond his usual playing time. Today, however, he had nearly played two complete quarters.
"Mitobe," Coach Kimura began, capturing the tired center's focus. "It's time for you to take a breather. Damien, you're going in to play the power forward position," he directed, pointing towards Damien. The young player's eyes sparkled with excitement, even though he struggled to find the words to express his enthusiasm.
Despite Damien's considerable talent, he often found himself with limited playing time. As a small forward, he was overshadowed by Koganei, the team's star player. Asuma and Mitobe were instrumental in executing Yuuki Junior High's pick-and-roll plays, securing their positions on the court. Kotaro, on the other hand, was the team's most adept shooter, aside from Koganei.
Yet, none of these circumstances dampened Damien's enthusiasm. All five of these individuals were third-year players, and Damien knew that next year, he would step into the role of the team's star player. For now, he seized every opportunity that came his way, including facing a formidable team like Teiko.
"Asuma," Coach Kimura called, catching the teenager's attention. Asuma turned his gaze toward the coach, waiting for instructions. "You're going back in. I hope you've caught your breath because you'll be up against Murasakibara," Kimura continued, and although Asuma forced a grin, it held a hint of hesitation. The prospect of facing off against Murasakibara in the paint was a physically demanding task he wasn't looking forward to.
However, Asuma understood the necessity of his role as there were no other suitable players on the team to take on that challenge.
Having made the necessary adjustments, Coach Kimura then directed his attention to the team's star players. "How are you feeling?" he inquired. Koganei and Hideki responded in unison with a determined "Good, coach."
Despite their exhaustion, they knew they had to be on the court. The team's performance hinged on their presence. If even one of them was missing, Teiko might capitalize on the opportunity and extend their lead. Holding their ground with the complete lineup was a demanding task, so losing any key player was not an option.
Coach Kimura couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration at the lack of talent on his team. He was reluctant to overburden non-professional players, particularly those at the junior high and high school levels, with excessive playing time. He believed it made them more prone to injuries by the time they reached the professional leagues.
In his view, every starting player on the Yuuki team had the potential to make it to the professional leagues with dedication and hard work. He wanted to protect his players and teach them how to protect themselves. Witnessing his two best players pushing themselves to their limits was a painful experience for him.
...
As Damien prepared to step onto the court, Koganei approached him and began speaking in English. "How do you feel? Japan's basketball isn't as weak as you thought before, right?" Koganei started, a slight grin forming on his face. When the team reconvened after the summer break, they were introduced to a new addition: a second-year player of mixed African-American and Japanese heritage.
This newcomer possessed remarkable athletic abilities that outshone everyone else on the team. Despite his friendly demeanor, he had limited proficiency in Japanese and could only communicate effectively with Coach Kimura, Koganei, and Hideki. However, an issue had arisen – the newcomer had initially displayed a condescending attitude toward his teammates when it came to basketball.
Koganei and Hideki took it upon themselves to humble him during practice scrimmages over a week, effectively tempering his arrogance and replacing it with a strong desire to improve.
"They are very good. I didn't expect to see a middle schooler, in Japan, capable of beating you in a 1v1 setting," Damien replied, his gaze locked on Aomine. Despite his competitive spirit urging him to challenge Aomine, he deferred to his 'OG,' Koganei, who had some unresolved business with Aomine.
"OG, do you want to stay on him? I can defend their captain if you want me to," Damien asked as they returned to the court. Although he asked the question, he secretly hoped for a negative answer. He had a strong desire to face the best competition after all.
"Even if I don't defend him, he'll find a way to make the switch on me. Also, don't look down on Akashi. Just because he hasn't attacked too much doesn't mean he can't," Koganei replied, subtly reminding Damien to stay focused.
Akashi had been relatively quiet in the game because Koganei had been defending him, and he hadn't wanted to exert too much energy at this stage of the match. Thus, even as others began to tire, he remained fresh and ready to play.
"Don't worry, OG. I know what to do!" Damien responded, his earlier smile fading into a more serious expression. Observing the determination on his underclassman's face, Koganei nodded with approval. Damien possessed immense talent, but he had yet to harness that potential and convert it into on-court strength.
This sense of responsibility that Koganei felt toward Damien, who began calling him 'OG,' stemmed from the guidance and advice he offered. Although he hadn't trained with Damien as he did with Mitobe, he provided insights whenever possible. Koganei was intrigued by the nickname, and when he asked Damien about it, he received an unexpected response.
"You look like an old soul. When I follow the advice you give me, I see immediate improvements. It's as if you have a wealth of experience. Moreover, the way you interact with the team players, it's like you're a seasoned assistant coach rather than just a fellow player," Damien explained at the time; surprising the reincarnated Koganei.
Shaking his head to clear any useless thoughts, Koganei received the inbound pass from Asuma. As he dribbled the ball up the court, he noticed that Midorima and Kise had checked out, having been replaced by two Teiko players.
With a confident smile, he signaled to Hideki and passed the ball to him. Hideki stood on the wing, his defender, the player who had replaced Kise, right before him.
Hideki began a live dribble, initially giving the impression that he was about to take a shot. This prompted his defender to rise on his toes, ready to contest the shot. Seizing the moment, Hideki accelerated past Teiko's player and drove toward the basket. However, as he approached the high post, he saw Murasakibara standing as a formidable obstacle.
Recalling Koganei's earlier blocked attempt against Teiko's center, Hideki hesitated to continue driving to the basket. He came to a halt, preparing to take the shot. Yet, with Murasakibara's large hands menacingly close to his face, threatening to block his shot, Hideki's options were limited.
Thankfully, Damien executed a well-timed backdoor cut, shaking off Aomine with his superior strength. He raced along the baseline, moving toward the basket, and received Hideki's pass. In two quick steps, Damien launched himself to lay the ball up. However, just as the ball left his fingertips, Aomine made an impressive recovery on defense, swatting the shot and pinning it against the backboard.
Akashi swiftly grabbed the loose ball and wasted no time in launching a full-speed sprint toward Yuuki's half of the court. Aomine and another Teiko player raced alongside him. On the Yuuki side, Koganei and Hideki managed to hustle back on defense, setting up a 3-on-2 situation in transition.
As Akashi approached the three-point line, he noticed Koganei attempting to apply pressure from the side. To capitalize on the situation, he quickly passed the ball to the player who had taken Kise's place.
This Teiko player received the pass on the wing and made a determined drive towards the basket. Hideki did his best to halt his progress, while Koganei joined in the defensive effort. However, as the Teiko player neared the mid-range area near the high post, he lobbed the ball high into the air, catching both Hideki and Koganei off-guard.
To everyone's surprise, a pair of tanned, athletic hands soared through the air, snatching the ball and emphatically slamming it through the hoop. Aomine hung from the rim momentarily, his face adorned with a joyful smile.
The crowd, already electrified by the earlier plays, erupted into even louder cheers. Aomine's exuberance was contagious, and the game had become a thrilling spectacle for all.
Releasing the rim, Aomine gracefully touched down on the court, directing a challenging glare toward Koganei. Ignoring the provocation, Koganei accepted Hideki's inbound pass. This time, he opted not to take the ball up the court himself, quickly returning it to Hideki.
Hideki, the starting point guard for Yuuki Junior High, instantly comprehended Koganei's intentions. He dribbled the ball with purpose as he crossed the half-court line.
Upon entering the frontcourt, Hideki signaled a play with a hand gesture, prompting his teammates to execute their roles. Asuma set a screen for Hideki, allowing him to blow past his direct defender and reach the top of the key. On the other side of the court, Koganei utilized Damien's screen to find an opening. Although Akashi maneuvered past the screen, it created enough space for Koganei to receive the pass in the low post with Akashi guarding him.
When Hideki delivered the ball, Koganei deftly snatched it with his outside hand and rapidly brought it to his shooting pocket while executing a pivot on his inside foot. In a fluid motion, he transitioned into a fade-away jump shot, the ball smoothly swishing through the net, trimming the point deficit by two.
Despite Koganei's best efforts to disrupt Teiko's momentum, They maintained control of the game over the next four minutes following Aomine's explosive dunks. Only three of the Generation of Miracles players remained on the court during this period.
Aomine, despite limited touches, displayed an extraordinary talent. Koganei felt like a college student trying to defend a high-ranking projected draft player. In the two opportunities Aomine had the ball, he scored twice with heavily contested mid-range shots.
Koganei realized the need to prevent Aomine from getting the ball, recognizing his hot streak. He dedicated himself to shadowing Aomine and ensuring he couldn't receive passes. This proactive defense was one reason Akashi refrained from passing to Aomine.
Meanwhile, Murasakibara exploited multiple opportunities in the low post, scoring with ease as Asuma struggled to contain him. As for Damien, he faced a tough matchup against Akashi. The crafty point guard found ways to exploit Damien's relative lack of experience on the defensive end, making life difficult for the talented but less seasoned newcomer.
Offensively, Koganei conserved his energy for defense against Aomine, limiting his participation. It was Hideki who primarily handled the ball, attempting to close the score gap. However, despite his efforts, they couldn't make significant headway. He managed two assists to Damien, who executed well-timed cuts into the paint, resulting in four points. The only other basket they scored was a fortunate three-pointer as their possession time was ending.
By the end of the second quarter, Teiko maintained their lead, with the score standing at 49 to 42.
...
In Japan, where a deep-rooted reverence for sports traditions prevailed, the broadcasting of an event on any of the J-sports channels came with a unique sense of prestige. These channels were ranked from most-watched to less-watched as J-sports 1 to J-sports 5.
J-sports 1 and 2 were the pinnacle of sports viewership in the country. They were reserved for the heavyweight clashes of Japanese professional sports, where athletes and teams from various disciplines competed for supremacy. It was on these channels that legends were born, and dreams came to fruition. They showcased major events like Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), professional wrestling, the B-league (basketball), the J-league (soccer), Sumo, and martial arts competitions.
Being featured on any of the J-sports channels was an accomplishment in itself, as it signified the event's significance in the world of Japanese sports broadcasting.
In the context of the Junior High Winter Cup final between Yuuki Junior High and Teiko Junior High, its airing on the fifth sports channel, J-sports 5, carried its own unique meaning within the realm of sports broadcasting in Japan.
Kimura and the Generation of Miracles were accustomed to the presence of numerous cameras around them due to their prominence in the sports world. However, the situation was quite different for the various players of Yuuki Junior High.
When several of them were approached by representatives of the media for interviews, just as they were heading to their locker room, they became flustered and unsure of how to respond. Even Hideki, the composed captain of Yuuki Junior High, was taken aback.
Fortunately, their coach, Kimura, gathered the players and guided them into the locker room, preventing them from being overwhelmed by the media attention and maintaining their focus on the upcoming game.
Upon reaching the locker room, Kimura briefly stepped back out to address some media inquiries, leaving the players to gather their thoughts in the room.
Silence enveloped the space, each player acutely aware of the substantial talent gap that existed between their team and Teiko Junior High. Yet, despite their unease, they were uncertain about how to address this challenging situation.
Observing their captain, who had lowered his head with a towel covering it, Koganei decided to approach Hideki, recognizing the need for action.
"Hey," he called out, prompting Hideki to raise his gaze. "How long can you keep going?" Koganei inquired with a solemn expression.
Hideki appeared somewhat taken aback by the question but took a moment to contemplate his response. After a brief pause, he met Koganei's gaze. "If I don't overexert myself, I can play until the end of the third quarter," he replied, his face reflecting his thoughts.
Acknowledging Hideki's answer, Koganei nodded and rose to his feet. He directed his attention to the other players in the locker room, seeking to address the entire team.
*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*
With rhythmic claps, Koganei called the room to order, capturing the focus of everyone present. He signaled for Hideki to join him at the center, and Hideki complied.
"I understand this is a tough game. We're up against the Generation of Miracles, so what did you expect?" Koganei began with a smile, eliciting a few light-hearted chuckles from his teammates. Nevertheless, he continued in a determined tone.
"But that doesn't mean we should give up. We've been through a lot together on this team, for at least two years. We know one another and ourselves." He started.
"We understand that Seki Junior High had more talent, yet we triumphed due to our determination. We're fully aware that Shoei Junior High was superior, but we still defeated them last year because of our resolve and grit. So, why should we back down now just because we're facing tougher competition?" Koganei paused briefly, allowing his words to sink in, while his teammates absorbed his message.
Koganei, although he didn't entirely believe every word he uttered, knew that downplaying their team's strength was essential to achieve the desired effect. As he continued his speech, he observed his teammates' eyes gradually filling with determination and spirit. A smile appeared on his face as he sensed their growing excitement.
"I don't care who stands in our way," Koganei proclaimed, his voice growing louder with each word. "Whether it's Teiko, the Warriors, or even the Chicago Bulls in the prime of Michael Jordan, we will fight until the very last minute."
His voice resonated with fervor, rallying his teammates, and he posed the question once more, more emphatically this time. "Who are we?" Koganei shouted.
"Yuuki Junior High!" came the unified response, their fervor building as they rose to their feet.
"What's our goal?" Koganei shouted again, his arms outstretched, and the team gathered around him in a huddle.
"The championship!" they exclaimed in unison, their faces flushed with excitement. Even the typically quiet Mitobe seemed thoroughly caught up in the intense atmosphere, as if he'd reached a new level of enthusiasm.
"Will we achieve it?" Koganei bellowed, his own excitement mounting.
"Hell yeah!"
"Will we achieve it?"
"Hell yeah!"
"Will we achieve it?"
"Hell yeah!"
Three times Koganei asked, and the locker room reached a fevered pitch of energy. The fervor spread to those outside the locker room as they heard the spirited battle cries emanating from Yuuki Junior High's base.
"Let's go out there and seize it!" Koganei shouted one final time, and with that, the players readied themselves for the start of the third quarter. At this moment, the difference in talent between their team and Teiko mattered little. When they stepped onto the court, they would pour their hearts into every moment.
As Koganei's fiery speech concluded, the numerous cameras placed around the locker room captured this intense and inspiring moment for posterity.
...
Standing outside the locker room, Kimura listened intently to the electrifying speech unfolding inside. The passionate words of Koganei ignited a fire within him, stirring up a familiar craving to return to the court and face an opponent head-on.
He took a deep breath to steady his emotions, recognizing the competitiveness that had driven him throughout his entire life. This unwavering drive eventually led him to become a basketball coach. Try as he might, Kimura couldn't separate himself from the sport he loved.
With a contented smile, he remarked to himself, "He should've been the captain." Kimura then turned around and made his way back to the court. Less than five minutes remained in the halftime break, and he knew that once the players stepped onto the court, their exhilaration and energy would override any orders or instructions he might give.