"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." - Michael Jordan
It was the beginning of the 2026 Dojing High school basketball team season, after having a last season record of 3-12 it wasn't looking so good for them, but maybe with the associations reboot of the team that could change.
The Dojing Basketball team's gym buzzed with different variations of seniors eager to play basketball. About 18 people arrived for the tryouts locked and loaded for the new aspiring season to come.
Suddenly, a very short chubby man walked forward in front of the players. He had to be no less than 5" On the dot, he had medium length white hair than was tied in a ponytail.
As he cleared his throat and fixed his red polo shirt collar he looked forward at the Japanese players, "TODAY IS THE DAY YOU TRYOUT FOR THE DOJING WARRIORS!"
The group applauded as I pushed my way to the front, I was about 5"8 with Dark red hair and black tips at the end. I wasn't the ideal picture for a varsity player but I had one thing... Confidence.
"WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME RUNS! THEN WE WILL DO A SCRIMMAGE TO END OFF! MOST OF YOU WILL BE BOOTED OFF DURING THESE TRYOUTS! WE LOOK FOR 10 PLAYERS FOR THIS 15 GAME SEASON!" As the stubby man spoke spit splashed everywhere into the crowd, giving everyone a shower
"Damn.. this old man has me sweating already.." As a Lanky male chuckled toward another one his peers suddenly the Stubby man, looked toward the two.
"I Have great awareness y'know." The man pushed up his glasses and pointed toward the door, that just left 16 left. "What! It was a joke!" As the two walk out I rubbed my head, "But the other guy didn't do anything..." I thought to myself.
"OH, ONE OTHER THING! MY NAME IS BOB! NOW... FOR YOUR FIRST TEST! RUN SUICIDES."
An American being a coach down in japan... odd. As Coach Bob screamed to the top of his lungs I quickly took off with the rest of the towering giants, my sneakers and others squeaking onto the floor.
What seemed to be the assistant coach stepped beside the stubby man, it was a woman. She began blowing the whistle with her Dad signaling that many players were being eliminated so early. "WHY COME HERE ANYWAY IF YOU WON'T GIVE IT YOUR ALL!"
The brown haired woman spoke smiling, almost like a smug grin. As many players grabbed their things and left I continued to run down and back, my form perfect.
After 9 minutes passed they called us back over, but half of the group was gone.. ?
"CONGRATS PLAYERS! YOU 10 HAVE MADE THE TEAM!" As the 10 looked around suprised we never really got to the scrimmage.
"MANY OF THE BOYS HERE TODAY SHOWED BAD SPORTSMANSHIP! SPOKE WHILE I SPOKE! AND WERE FRANKLY JUST OUT OF SHAPE!"
As the group chuckled and grinned at the fact that they made varsity the woman stepped up, "IM PENNY! DAUGHTER OF BOB BAGELS!"
"Bagels...?" A black haired male snickered as he placed his hands on the back of his head, this was Ryohei Ikeda. A Stubborn but skilled power forward, as laughed right next to him stood the 6"10 purple haired beast that resembled almost a viking. Sora Fujimoto, the true definiton of a center... his game almost resembling the famous player Joel Embiid.
"EVERYONE COME TO THE WEIGHT ROOM SO WE CAN GET ASSOCIATED... AND REMEMBER... NOT ALL OF YOU WILL PLAY... YOU'll HAVE TO PROVE YOURSELF!" The stubby man raised his fist into the air before turning and walking away.
The group shuffled their way toward the weight room before sitting down.
"Like I was saying, only a select few will start this year... regardless if you've played here before or not there are no favorites."
"Yeah! No favorites!" Penny agrees.
"I want each of you to get associated with each other, get to know each other.. from there we'll discuss further season plans."
As the room struck silent for a moment... I stood up walking toward a short kid like myself, Akira Mizuno. Nobody really knew who he was other than that he was a shooting guard, "Hey Im Shohei O'Ghani!" I reach my sweaty hand out, Akira shakes my hand firmly as his tired eyes open.
"Oh.... Uh... Sup.." As he rubs his eyes he lets out a little huff. "Im uh..... Akira Mizuno.."
"Cool." I respond
As the rest of the group socialize I glare at Akira, he had a familiar look. Akira was 5"10, his game resembled almost like the great shooter Ray Allen, a true catch and shoot demon. Akira was lanky with bright golden blonde hair that barely hung right below his eyebrows.
"So what are... you? Like a point guard...?" It wasn't so much that Akira was nonchalant.. but spoke shy... with a stutter.
"Yeah Im a point guard.. you?"
"I play... a shooting... guard.. yeah.." Akira smiles back.
"AHEM!" Suddenly Coach B speaks, "Its time to get to work... everyone ready?!"
OVERTIME SZN STARTS NOW!