Practice Match, Part 2

Kuzuryū players gathered at their bench during halftime. Taking time to get some rest while listening to coach K expressing his mind about the game.

"Itoshi-Kun will play as the power forward for the second half, replacing Shigeo. Assist him, and don't disregard him, just because he is a freshman."

Coach K stated, explicitly glancing at Hanamiya. Despite his short time on this team, he had already grasped the personalities of the regulars.

And Hanamiya was already on his list to discipline. He didn't mind the former using dirty tactics in games, after all ultimately they were part of the game. Regardless of how you see it. It just may not be that apparent in junior high or high school.

But something he did mind was the internal conflict that Hanamiya may cause.

"Yes, coach!"

Hanamiya could only smile hypocritically, appearing as if he didn't notice the obvious glare he got.

Miyaji on the side could only shake his head looking at the situation. Even though he didn't approve of Hanamiya's style of playing, he didn't think that he would have bad intentions for his teammates.

"Itsohi-Kim, you can always count on me in the court," Imayoshi said, squinting his beady eyes while adjusting his glasses.

Miyaji also said a few words of encouragement while Baro gave him a nod. Rai nodded in response. He stretched lightly, ready to dance.

…

The second half started with the ball in possession of Kiyokawa.

It was after a failed attempt at a two-point shot, that Kuzuryū took hold of the ball with a defensive rebound by Baro.

Hanamiya dribbled the ball past the half-court, passing it to Miyaji. He went through the three-point line, before trusting it to Rai who walked past him.

Rai seemingly went for a drive, before sidestepping for a long-range two-point shot. His sudden change of pace was fairly easy for him to get accustomed to because of his talent, but the same could not be said for his defender. He almost fell back before barely able to balance himself.

As his defender caught on to his actions, Rai lifted his legs, leaping into the air, flicking his wrist.

Rai turned around, not bother looking back. Immediately going back to defense. The fleeting sensation on his fingertips had already told him of the outcome beforehand.

"Good play!" Imayoshi shouted while moving back.

Rai properly kicked off the second half of the game.

…

Kiyokawa's shooting guard could only stand there dumbly, feeling the ball in his hand disappear.

He could only gawk, as Rai easily crossed the half-court, leaving behind the last defender with a behind-the-back-dribble [1] before he finished it off with a lay-up.

…

Rai dribbled near the sideline, being double-teamed, scanning his field of vision.

His defenders suddenly saw him going for a three-point shot, and both of them jumped in an attempt to block it.

The ball left Rai's hand, the ball drifted into the air. Both of the defenders eased looking at the rhythm of the ball.

'It looks like an air-b-'

Their thoughts were interrupted, as Baro jumped from the paint area. He grabbed the ball in mid-air before slamming brutally into the rim. He hovered there for a few seconds before dropping lightly.

(Kuzuryū Bench)

"Alley-oop![2]"

Players exclaimed, looking at both Rai and Baro with veneration.

Rai and Baro were the tallest players in the match, seeing them make a play like that immediately flung them into raves.

Coach K looked at it, feeling Baro was playing better than his usual self. It was as though, there was finally someone who could bring out his potential.

…

Rai played aggressively for the rest of the half. He displayed his remarkable shooting ability, also showing his skillfulness in avoiding or breaking through the defense.

His teammates also started to go more along with his plays, seeing that they were working. He especially had some good plays with Baro, who also came to trust his lead in this game.

At the same time, Kiyokawa started to lose its spirit after witnessing the point gap that kept widening.

Their defense was minimized, with Kuzuryū getting more and more offensive rebounds.

On the other hand, their offense wasn't much better, with them giving continuous turnovers to the opposite team.

Making the increasing point difference a huge stone in their heart.

While Rai didn't give everything he had in this match, he didn't intentionally hold back either. Hence he completely dominated the court in terms of stats alone.

He amassed more points alone in the second half than the entire team did in the first half.

The game ended in Kuzuryū's victory, and a crushing defeat for Kiyokawa. Kuzuryū won by a lavish sixty-two point difference, 111-49.

With Rai's individual stats being; Pts: 48, Ast: 7, Reb: 5, Blk: 11, Stl: 13.

…

[1] Behind-the-back Dribble: A dribble from one hand to the other behind the back.

[2] Alley-oop: A high arc pass to a teammate in a position near the basket to leap and score.