Regional Finals
Fairly quickly Jun and his team found themselves in the Finals, these elimination brackets were fast after all you would halve the teams each week, making it a fast selection process.
Jun's team won the semi-finals quite easily because they didn't get any heavyweight, it still was at a regional level and Kyoto Prefecture did lack competitiveness, it was only 2 teams dominating the entire time, Everything seemed to go their way they didn't find any challenging opposition, winning games because of their dominant attack.
Who wouldn't when you have a player averaging 38 points?
Completely different from the other games, Jun found the rest of the team in an unarguable tension, who wouldn't? The finals just these words had another weight.
Perhaps because they didn't even dream they would come this far, and now the realization was coming to them.
Jun stayed silent as he heard the coach giving his motivational speech, people enjoyed treating finals differently and would break routines, adding to the player's pressure. Jun was tunned out trying his best to empty his head.
He is human and the excitement of being in a final once more was there, his exhilarant heart beating hard, his hands trembling slightly. 'This is why I play sports.'
Jun looked around the gymnasium and the stands were filled with people. The mixed voices, coupled with the cheers and the atmosphere really couldn't be replicated. It was just a minor Gym for the regionals, how much better would it be for the Summer Cup? How much better would it be for the Nationals finals... His thoughts ran around.
''Remember to have fun.'' The elderly coach voiced as he clapped his hands.
''Yes!!'' Everyone yelled as they grouped for the team cry. ''Kibito on three. One, two three.'' Yukio the captain voiced.
''Kibito!!'' Their voice echoed in the gym, earning claps from fans and their parents. But as the other team gave their cry, the cheers for their team got eclipsed.
An intimidating scene, which shook the confidence of some of the starting members.
Wearing white was Higashigahara Municipal Middle School the giants of the area, and one of the favourites for the later National tournament victory.
They are being led by the now 3rd year, Sawakita Eiji #9 the player who won the MVP in his first year of middle school, a player who if not for the existence of the GoM, was said to be able to dominate the Junior High scene. Unfortunately, he lost to Teiko in the semi-finals against Teiko the year prior, pouring a cold water bucket over the hype around him. The team had yet another Genius called Akahoshi Reo, who had been the captain the year prior, the Genius Point Guard who is now in high school, but he too made a heavy contribution when they achieved the grand National prize.
Unfortunately even while holding 2 of the regarded of the most talented players last year, in the Small forward and Point Guard positions respectively they still lost to Teiko, a scene which shocked the community deeply.
As the game was going to start, Jun felt it Eiji was much like him. A smile surfaced on Jun's face as he focused on Eiji who seemed unbothered by his excitement.
The moment of the tip-off came. Yukio the center of Kibito, jumped with conviction to win the first possession, unfortunately, he had jumped too early. Losing the tip-off for the first time this year.
The ball traveled toward the point guard of Higashigahara who quickly passed the ball toward the already running Eiji. Who was closely being followed by Jun.
''Oh? Not bad...'' Eiji voiced as he stepped through the sprint and did a behind-the-back trying to break Jun's balance.
But Jun stood his ground. Surprising Eiji, who quickly moved the ball between the legs and burst with speed catching Jun off guard. Close to the paint, Eiji relaxed and prepared to make an easy lay-up to score the first 2 points of the finals.
''Huh?'' Eiji exclaimed as a hand swatted the ball out of his stretched hand. Staring at the white-haired youth who swatted the ball out of his hand, a smile surfaced. Unfortunately for him, Jun wasn't going to let this moment slide as he sprinted toward Higashigahara's side, He swatted the ball toward Yoshi who sent a reliable pass back to him.
Jun dribbled the ball as 2 opposing opponents approached him, Jun didn't falter like usual and met them head-on. Progressing Jun twitched his body side to side and lowered his body, threatening to sprint toward the right, the opposing team players fell for the feint and Jun did a behind-the-back moving toward the left. He didn't want to progress as he was in the Three-point Arc, he winded up and with textbook form, he delivered his shot.
Unfortunately, a hand surfaced from behind blocking his shot.
''No no''Eiji spoke as he slapped the ball away.
The spectators were ecstatic, as cheers followed. ''What is this, the game only started now and I already saw two blocks.''
''I know right? Dude, I'm surprised Jun has managed to block that first one on Eiji.''
A duo of spectators spoke to as their eyes were glued to the court. A third voice interjected. ''Don't underestimate Jun, he is averaging 38 and he didn't play some quarters or the number would be way higher.''
''Don't joke, I heard Jun is very talented but hasn't had a real challenge besides he is playing against The Sawakita Eiji, he is a beast.'' The discussion went further as the game progressed.
2 Minutes went by, with both Jun and Eiji managing to hold each other back. Higashigahara were focusing their passes to Eiji who would challenge Jun.
While Jun wasn't trying to be as centered as Eiji his teammates did miss the chances they were provided.
Once again Eiji had the ball and dribbled unhesitantly toward Jun who was in position, Eiji was extremely agile and fast, he swayed his body and moved to the left, but Jun read it, Eiji nimbly did a behind-the-back, to which Jun didn't falter, but the second behind the back with progression broke Jun's defense as his feet lay rooted to the floor. Eiji drove through Jun and Yoshiro, scoring the first point in the game. (0-2)
Eiji had a goofy smile on his face, as he passed by Jun who saw his smile and humphed. Jun was a little frustrated as he didn't think Eiji would be this skilled.
Throughout these 2 minutes, Jun could tell just why Eiji was regarded so highly in Japanese basketball, his 1 on 1 plays were no joke. His speed was top tier being faster than himself, his reactions were in place. And through the 1st block Jun could tell that he was quite strong mentally.
Jun exhaled slowly. He stretched his hand asking for the ball. No one said anything as the ball was delivered toward Jun who slowly let his teammates get in position.
Kibito players and Higashigahara players were in one side of the court, while both aces were on the other. Jun was resolute as he slowly moved toward Eiji who still adorned his silly smile.
Jun drove the ball between his legs and dashed to the right, Eiji had extremely high defense capabilities and followed, expecting this Jun stopped and did exactly what Eiji had done, a double behind the back.
''You are trying to use my moves against me it won't work.'' Eiji voiced as he stretched his hand ready to steal the ball as Jun threatened to dash through the right.
''Who said?'' Jun answered as he proceeded to do a between-the-legs while stopping his momentum. Eiji stumbled slightly as he hadn't thought Jun would break this way.
Jun stepped backward and launched a textbook 3 Pointer. (3-2)