Former MVP

Using his quick first step, Fujima left Miyagi chasing behind and attracted the defense of Akagi and Mitsui. Leaving two Shoyo players open, he reaches the free throw lane and tried to shoot over them.

Akagi went up to block his shot but it was a fake and bounce passes it to the open Hanagata for another easy lay-up.

Mitsui tried his best to interfere w/ the pass, plus the improvement of his 62 stamina and 85 hustle play.

He dives for the ball, successful w/ the steal and he throws it to Miyagi who's ahead for the fast break. Scoring an easy lay-up, Miyagi pointed at him and thanks for his defense plus the pass.

"Yeah!!!" Mitsui was feeling hyper and the adrenaline rush taking over his body. He high five w/ Miyagi for celebration and stared at Shoyo's no. six who said earlier that he won't get more than five points in the game.

"Nice steal!!"Kogure, the rest of the bench and Sakuragi's gang were celebrating w/ him.

"Nice! Fast break, Miyagi" Ayako said.

"Hehehe... Ayako..." Miyagi said.

"Good d! Mitsui!" Akagi said and hit his back.

"Mit-chi! You should pass it to me and this genius will easily score it." Sakuragi said.

"Ha ha ha!! Okay next time, I will pass it to you so get back on defense." he replied.

Shoyo's cheering squad was silenced by his steal and Mitsui put his finger to his mouth, shushing the crowd after the steal.

"Nine minutes left in the game, Shohoku 42 vs. 44 Shoyo is only leading by two points and the momentum is shifting again in favor of Shohoku." Hikoichi said.

"Mitsui is known as former Junior High MVP; his scoring ability is superb from both inside and beyond the arc but his defense is underestimated.

His hustle play and never say die attitude what made him an elite player. It's a pity that he didn't go to Ryonan and I'm sure that championship is just in the corner for us." Coach Taoka said.

"Mitsui-senpai is sure impressive!" Hikoichi is busy writing on his notes.

"Sorry it's my fault, Fujima!" Hanagata apologized since wasted a chance to score easily and let Mitsui stole the ball.

"No, the pass was too low that he got the ball faster so let's score this one and pay them back." Fujima said.

"Yes!!" Shoyo is still energetic and replied to him. Dribbling the ball was a hassle since Miyagi kept on sticking on him like glue.

He asked Hasegawa for screen, but got trap by Mitsui and Miyagi before he could cross the mid-court line.

"Fweeett!! Stepping on the line, Shoyo no. four! Shohoku ball!" the referee said.

The duo of Miyagi and Mitsui on defense made Shoyo turned-over the ball twice. Another chance for Shohoku to tie the game or take the lead this time around.

"All right!!" the two high five for another good defense.

"Nice defense Miyagi & Mitsui!" it was a good sign that Mitsui is still playing at a high level like he used to be.

"Are you still okay, Mitsui?" Akagi asked.

"I can still play, Akagi." He replied.

"That's great to know, we'll have to keep them pressured to commit turn-overs and your three pointers, Mitsui!." Akagi said.

"Yeah!!" they replied.

"Just past me the ball and I'll shoot it!" Mitsui said.

Mitsui inbound the ball to Rukawa who got rid his defender and dared to attack the basket against three Shoyo players.

As he jumped, Shoyo players formed a wall and Rukawa saw a Shohoku player running from the right corner.

"Rukawa! Here!" Mitsui said. After he lost his defender w/ Akagi's screen and is open to shoot. Rukawa decided to pass it from behind the back; Mitsui got the ball and didn't hesitate to shoot.

"Mitsui's shooting form is one the best, his quick release is terrifying fast and a big headache to his defenders." Coach Taoka said.

"It seems Mitsui is in good condition today. Akagi in the low-post, Mitsui waiting for a kick-out pass, Sakuragi's rebounds, Rukawa and Miyagi slashing through the defense is the dark horse of the tournament." Maki said.

"Jin-senpai is still the better shooter and Kainan will still be the champion this season." Kiyota said.

"That's right!!" Maki replied.

"Swish!!" it hits nothing but bottom of the net.

"Nice shot, Mitsui!!"Kogure shouted in excitement, Shohoku is now leading by one point against the top team

"Good screen, Akagi!" Ayako shouted from the bench.

"Awesome shot! Mitsui-senpai!" Haruko and the gang were cheering for them plus the rest of the crowd is infected by this crazy plays of Shohoku.

"Yaaahh!! Too easy 2x!" He shouted, raising three fingers to Shoyo's cheering squad and two hands as goggles to Fujima while retreating back.

"All right! Nice one, Mitsui!" Akagi and Miyagi came to him for a high-five.

"Let's keep this is up, guys!!" Akagi said.

"Yeah!!" they replied

"Damn! Bast***!" Shoyo's no. six Kazushi said, he wants to prove that his better than the former MVP after years of hard work in the Shoyo.

Reality is harsh, Mitsui may not he used to be, due to injuries but having a system is a big help for him to get better or beyond his ability.

"Tssk!" Hanagata clicked his tongue in annoyance. They're now trailing by one point. This maybe a small lead to others but this was game changer since things are shifting towards Shohoku' favor.

Fujima went to the referee to request a full time out and create a defensive plan to limit Mitsui's sudden emergence on both ends of the floor.

"Fweeett!! Referee whistled.

Time-out, Shoyo!" game announcer said. Shohoku's bench, Rukawa's cheering squad; Sakuragi's gang and the growing no. of support from the crowd are going crazy.

"Whoa!! Mitsui is on fire!" Kogure

"Nice three, Mitsui-senpai!" Yasuda said.

"Keep it up, guys!!" Ayako said, while the give drinks to hydrate and towels to wipe their sweaty face.

"Yes!!!" Akagi and the other starters replied.

While, in the bench of Shoyo, Fujima was in deep thought on how to defend the former MVP, Hanagata and the rest of the team were silent.

"There's still eight minutes left in the game, Shohoku 45 vs. 44 Shoyo, Shohoku is leading by one point and the momentum is in favor of Shohoku." Hikoichi said.