Nationals Tokyo Qualifier Part 2

So the game between Hanabira and Yamabuki was just an absolute dog fight from the moment the second quarter started, it seemed like Yamabuki started to retaliate by playing better defense as they don't have a direct answer to Hideki's defense it was as if the answer was that it takes another talent of his level to counter his defense in one way or the other, but unfortunately for Yamabuki, they do not have that guy in their team.

Yamabuki remained hopeful for this game and their defense paid a little as Hanabira scored a little more slowly, this made them feel vulnerable in the second quarter so it ended nearer for comfort for Hanabira.

The second quarter ended with the score of 34 - 25, in Hanabira's favor but the score gap got closer for comfort. 

In the halftime, Coach Yoshida and Assistant Coach Suzuki had a little meeting with the team and Coach Yoshida said, "Okay, I know you will rest this halftime interval but we have another game if we win. So to preserve your energy, we will sub in the bench players." The players nodded in understanding and it was really sensible as there was another game later.

Assistant Coach Suzuki then spoke and said "The gameplan is still the same, with the bench unit we do not have the same firepower as the starters but the defense does not fall behind with the starting unit. With that said, your primary goal is not to let Yamabuki score that much so the Starters can have enough rest for the next game, the more you dragged out the score and it's gap the more you will play. I am not psyching you to make mistakes but as a team we have to win for the starters, okay? If you want you can slow the pace of the game per possession so we can burn much more time." The bench mob said 'yes coach!' to Assistant Coach Suzuki.

The tournament staff told the team, that the halftime interval will be over in 3 minutes and the team is now asked to return to the court. To which the coaching staff agreed and told the team to get up and head to the court for the second half.

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The second half started and Hanabira had possession of the ball for the third quarter and Morioka (PG) initiated plays for the team which net them little success as Aoki (SF) got an open look for a mid-range shot. In the bench mob, only Aoki is the reliable scorers of the bench mob, the others have their niche roles, Ito (SG) is only relied on his catch and shoot and Yamamoto and Sato can only shoot inside the basket after an offensive rebound.

Yamabuki saw that Hideki is out of the game so they tried to call for their Power Forward to make shots for them, to which he is successful but only to an extent, Yamamoto may not have Hideki's gifted physical stats but like the Yamabuki Power Forward, he had the experience to back him up and defend Yamabuki's Power Forward.

This second half if the literal dog fight where both teams are equal in standing, it may look rude to the audience but for the Hanabira players, the bench mob are equally immovable as the starting unit so this is the perfect opportunity to use them as they had a sizable score lead.

The third quarter got on and on with defensive stops from Hanabira and impossible shots that got into the basket for Yamabuki. Slowly but surely the lead was slowly diminishing and the third quarter ends with 45 to 44 in favor of Hanabira but this score is really close for comfort if you're a Hanabira player.

The fourth quarter started with the Starting unit in the game and Yamabuki is in possession of the ball. Hanabira started with intensity like they had before they were subbed out earlier. 

And just like in the first quarter, Suzuki, Tanaka and Hideki spammed the double screen strategy as until now Yamabuki forgot or got complacent as the bench mob were the ones who played the previous quarter and Yamabuki players forgot the memo. They tried to remember their coach's briefing about this strategy.

But in the end it doesn't even matter. 

Hanabira ran away with the game after the fourth quarter started and outscored Yamabuki in the end with 18 to 6. 

And the game against Yamabuki ends with 63 to 50 in Hanabira's favor. 

The Yamabuki players were down and felt really sad their season ended then and there so as the Hanabira shook their hands the Yamabuki players told the players "Please win for us in the next games" Meanwhile Yamabuki's Power Forward told Hideki "Nice game out there kid, you'll be a bigger force in the Middle School Basketball scene in the next three years, you've been a menace in defense. Keep up the good work for your team" Hideki bowed to the player and said his thanks.

Hideki's statline

Points - 12

Rebounds - 8

Assists - 7

Steals - 8

Blocks - 9

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The Hanabira players rested for thre hours as their game comes in after 4 hours, their opponent this time was Asahi Middle School.

Asahi Middle School is another mob school that specializes in offense through their Power Forward and Point Guard. 

In this game, Hideki and Suzuki were able to prevent Asahi's offense and forced Asahi to create shots with their other players their Center is only an offensive player so they cannot abuse a pick and roll with their Point Guard. 

The first quarter ended with the score of 25 - 12 with Hanabira's favor and their offensive output was carried by Asahi's turnovers and missed shots which was converted into points by Benjie and Hideki. 

The game continued to the second, third and fourth quarter.

As the game got out of hand for Asahi, both coaches decided to pull out their starting unti and sub in their bench units as silent agreement and solidarity that the game was lost for Asahi. 

And the game ends with 73 - 50 with Hanabira taking the W. 

Hideki's statline

Points - 18

Rebounds - 7

Assists - 12

Steals - 9

Blocks - 9

For 2 games Hideki was really active for Hanabira and his stats was reflecting his good job on both defense and offense. And witht his Hideki and Hanabira have 6 more games to play to qualify for Nationals.

*terms used:

First Half (was not mentioned) - The first and second quarters of the game

Second Half - The third and fourth quarters of the game

Catch and Shoot - This is a type of player that is reliable to shoot the ball behind the three-point arc after catching it, notable examples are Klay Thompson and Ray Allen.

Sub / subbed - Short for substitution. Change the playing player/s, this is in order for players to rest or bring in a more suitable player in a situation. For example Daiki Yamamoto subbed in (enters the game) for Hideki (sits in the bench)

Spam - Continually use something, in this case continually use the strategy they used earlier in the first quarter.