Chapter 5

The week of the intramurals came.

How do I put it? Feels amazing so far? Or perhaps, lackluster at the very least?

Well, all I can be sure of is that out of all the 8 events I joined for today's schedule, I have already won 7 of them. Tennis, table tennis, dodgeball, badminton, volleyball, rubik's cube and chess.

I've won overwhelming victories in individual events, while team sports proved to be much more difficult since it required me to cooperate with others and I need to worry about their performances as well. Nonetheless, a win is a win.

And now, my last event as of today, it's time for the basketball tournament.

The team making, like the other events, was decided by batch. Likewise, the matchmaking is the same, with the only exception of the 12th years. Their place in the finals is guaranteed as they were the champion last-last year. Which means that they only need to play once to defend their title.

There are 6 batches in total, from 7th to 12th grade.

The idea of overthrowing those 12th years excites me. However, despite my careful conservation of energy to last longer, the accumulated fatigue in my body is starting to affect me. But the thought of it just fuels my excitement even more.

Once we win two games today and another two tomorrow, we will be moving to the semi finals. After we win 1 game for that then we will be playing the 12th years for the finals.

In the qualifying round, all of the teams will play against each other. So all of them should have played 4 games each by the end of the round and the first two who have the highest number of victories will move to the semi finals -- assuming that 3 or more teams didn't get the same number of victories in which case they will undergo another round against each other. Then, the winner between those 2 highest will be playing in the finals.

QUALIFYING ROUND (in any order):

(7th grade [1]) vs. (8th grade [1])

(7th grade [2]) vs. (9th grade [1])

(7th grade [3]) vs. (10th grade [1])

(7th grade [4]) vs. (11th grade [1])

(8th grade [2]) vs. (9th grade [2])

(8th grade [3]) vs. (10th grade [2])

(8th grade [4]) vs. (11th grade [2])

(9th grade [3]) vs. (10th grade [3])

(9th grade [4]) vs. (11th grade [3])

(10th grade [4]) vs. (11th grade [4])

SEMI FINAL:

(Qualifying Round [highest_1]) vs. (Qualifying Round [highest_2])

CHAMPIONSHIP:

(12th grade) vs. (Semi Final [winner])

...

First Game--

My team vs. 9th grade

Scores: 124 - 32

The first game was considerably easy with me not really needing to exert myself too much. I got 43 points, 11 rebounds, 26 assists, and 18 steals.

My play style was quite simple. I would only score for the first quarter then only make plays and pass the ball in the second quarter. I would repeat this for the 2nd half as well, to conserve as much energy as possible.

...

--Flash Back--

--3 days ago--

We are currently in a basketball court we rented yesterday.

It's already 8:30 pm in the evening and we are still waiting for one person. We were supposed to start the meeting at 8:00pm to decide our positions in the team, alas, he's really testing my patience. However, I cannot be angered by something so small. I'm sure he has some reason for being late, valid or not.

While waiting for him, my teammates decided to play with themselves to relieve their boredom, while me, who's watching from the bench, just observed them.

Based on what I can see, most of them have already mastered the basics. Well, why else would they join if they just wanted to embarrass themselves.

However, I couldn't help but notice something lacking.

Yeah, that's right--

--They lack raw talent, just pure hardwork in their arsenal.

Seeing them play while knowing that fact made my left eye twitch from time to time.

At this point, the last guy we're waiting for finally came. He's accompanied by someone, his arm around her waist.

Seeing him, a smile formed on my face. Only one thing in my mind– Finally, someone worth looking at.

Stopping their track near me, I got a better estimation of his towering height. Around 6'10", unbelievable for a 17 year old. And not just that, his body is well equipped with muscles. I could already see what he's like on the court. A body like that is made to dominate many sports. A testament to his gift and work he put in.

The guy began to size up everybody with his gaze.

"Yow, sorry I'm late. Having too much fun made me forget the time. Name's Hebrew, by the way." He grinned while looking at the girl next to him, who's height is only to his shoulder, to make a point.

His height alone made everybody swallow their discontent. It's understandable considering that we look like a child in front of him.

The guy continued. "Anyway, I assume no one will object if I take the center position. Also... I don't want to sound arrogant, but the role of the captain doesn't look like it will fit any of you. hahaha."

Hearing him say that, the guy behind me walked in front of him and stared him directly in the eyes. Quite brave despite the difference in size.

He was a guy who showed the most promising skill earlier but not enough to be considered a talent in my eye.

"Hey, just because you're the only varsity player in our school that is not a 12th year student doesn't mean you should be the one to lead the team."

Hebrew leaned forward to match the guy's eyes and continued with a voice full of confidence. "Ohh?. Then how about this, why not decide who's better between all of us? No one will listen to a weak ass leader after all."

And so, we played the king of the court. A one on one match in which the loser will be eliminated and the winner will continue to play against the next player.

All I could say is -- I dismantled all of them, including the newcomer who didn't even get the chance to score. Which made me the captain and the point guard of the team.

--Flash Back End--

...

One of the things I liked the most about basketball is the player's freedom. Unlike sports such as baseball and volleyball, it doesn't have fixed positions for the players. Which means that I can constantly move wherever I want.

{"Last two minutes."} the voice of the announcer rang throughout the court.

We're already in the last quarter of the 2nd game today against the 10th graders. My stats this time are astonishing: 83 points, 13 rebounds, 28 assists, and steals.

Since it's my last game for today, I made sure to give it my all, giving us the score of 164. The opposing team on the other hand only got 43 points which could be credited to Hebrew for his defense. He now has 45 points, 28 rebounds and 20 blocks.

The opponent only got to score by abusing the 3 point line everytime I'm on the bench.

Dribbling the ball from the opposite rim after Hebrew took the defensive rebound, I glanced at the time above the board -- 8 seconds left.

As I crossed the half-court line, the crowd held their breath in anticipation. With only 5 seconds remaining, I suddenly shifted gears, my quickness catching my defender off guard. And like water flowing effortlessly, I maneuvered through the defense with my super smooth and finesse ball-handling, leaving anyone who guarded in the dust.

Getting to the paint, what greeted me was a 6'5" tall center. But that didn't stop me. Activating the required muscle fibers to produce my highest jump, I launched myself towards the rim.

Time seemed to stand still in my vision as a grin sneaked in my face. Bringing the ball over and behind my head with both hands, I posterized the towering guy in front of me with a thunderous hammer jam, concluding the first day of the intramurals by sending him crashing to the ground.

Seeing this, the audience erupted with cheers as the commentator shouted, {"JERSEY NUMBER 1!!! WITH NO REGARD TO HUMAN LIFE!!!!"}

"Woah!"

"Holly shit!!"

"How can he jump that high with that kind of body?!"

"No way! He really made Hebrew a side character!"

"That's insane. Even if that's against juniors, 85 points in a game?!"

I could see the disbeliefs in their eyes as my teammates rushed towards me, full of excitement and awe.

…