I can't believe it
Standing in the big tournament basketball court gym was electric. The sounds of the crowd cheering, the squeaks of sneakers on the hardwood, and the buzzer signaling the end of the game created an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. Every missed shot and every made basket brought the energy in the gym to a fever pitch. I felt my heart racing as I watched the teams battle it out to make it to the knockout stages, the older boys were in their own bracks as we are in U-8 camp.
"Dude check out that team?!" Cory spoke excitedly. I don't know why. but he did make them sound like outstanding players.
"Silas Cameron and Dave Augustin, those two have trained in the Mamba sport academy and personally met Kobe Bryunt, top of the class and the closest in terms of being the strongest facility in California."
Silas Cameron blonde light hair and green eyes, a talentful dribbler and shooter.
Dave Augustin has brown hair and brown eyes, the passer in the team and defender.
they're like spears and shields.
"Do you think they are better than our duo ships?" Cory cast a side glance at Kazuya who was indulging them. "And what are we if they are a shield and a spear?"
Cory formed a happy smile, feeling cocky. "the special A-Force."
"That's freaking right…that's why we won't let something so cliche as opposite attract, be a downfall at our plan to lift the trophy."
"Wow, do I mean that much for you? I knew you were soft hearted." Cory jokes.
"You wish…" He replied, as they followed the others to the locker room and changed out to their jersey.
It's around over 200+ if you count both school, facility and camp. and to eliminate many teams to be done with the pre-elimination it has been held for around 2-3 months. and to skip all the boring play and all that let us say we came on top of the table against 12 other teams.
It's now only under 100 teams left and so far they have not met so many strong teams, there were few individuals who were better than the others but that's it. After so many days and practice and rest we finally advanced to round 16 where we finally met a strong team. Philadelphia 76ers facility, they had 1 strong point guard, one center and shooting guard that were cut above the rest.
Dustin Lactose, the point guard, dark hair and upturned dark eye shaped. He was the smallest on the team but he was good with his hand.
Johnny Bravado, the center and he was the tallest rivaling Gin with his height, his hair was blonde and styled in a mega pompadour, and he wore sunglasses…
"Who the heck wears sunglasses indoors?" Cory said.
next is Max Cuddly, the shooting guard in addition to his shooting he is on par with Cory ball handling.
—--------------------
and of course I was not starting, Liam decided it was best I was waiting, because he wanted to test the water first and put me out for the last two rounds.
The ball flew up in the air and Gin and Johnny jumped up to try to get it. As the ball descended back to the ground, Gin managed to tip it to Nash, who caught it just before Johnny could, and they won the toss.
Nash dribbled a few steps and while looking around he found Silver open, and passed it to him and as Silver jumped and tried to lay-up since he was not tall or jump high enough for a dunk but not before getting rejected by Johnny who blocked it. Now the ball went to Dustin who managed to bypass both Cory and Nate. He went head on against Nash who looked mad at him. Nash was in a bad situation as now Max joined in and their small forward ran behind Dustin.
Nash took a chance and tried locking Dustin down to only find out he passed it to Max so fast, and Max pulled his wrist and shot against the backboard and into the basket.
<2-0>
They were the first to get a point from us from the start. "Coach, I want to play against him."
"Stick to the plan, you get your chance, just be patient, Miguel gets ready to play with Kaz on the substitutes. We need you to take on Max and Johnny with Cory, Kazuya will be with Nash and take on Dustin. the other two can just be picked out by Miguel since they are less skilled."
Nash grew impatient and brought the ball all the way up and tried dribbling and scoring, but Dustin was maybe equal to Nash as both of them struggled to win their match-up. Nash saw Gin was getting ready in position and clenched his teeth as he passed. Gin was not marked very well and he could now face the basket quickly and do a fade away.
<2-3>
"dammit..." The game relapsed back and forth until the beeper machine beeped.
<66-61>
"it's fine, it's only the second round, I expect more from all you especially you Nash, stop rushing things, Cory try to meet up with Nash to create a distraction, Miguel I want you to defend only Max and when your off the ball create screens whenever is the best chance, Silver and Nate your out of this round Kazuya and Miguel are in."
1.Point guard-Nash (C)
2.Shooting guard-Cory
3.Small forward -Nate
4.Power forward-Kazuya (VC)
5.Center-Gin
"Ready partner?" Kazuya out of his bag grabbed sweatbands of the color red and white. strapped it on his wrist and with both hands ruffled his hair backwards looking determined with his plastered at Dustin. "Yeah…"
When they stepped back in the court Nash had a disdainful look and with venom glare said to Kazuya. "don't get in my way, understand."
"I could say the same to you captain, I just want to beat him."
"That's something we can agree on…"
—2 round
Since we won the tip off the opponents were starting with the ball 2 and 3 round. Dustin slowly ramps up on the court while scanning for opportunity, Max was heavily guarded and Gin had Johnny under his control, Nash stood against Dustin who stared back at Nash angry eyes.
Dustin began to start dribbling between his legs, shielding the ball from Nash's grasp. After doing a feint, he managed to get past, but Kazuya turned and managed to get a small touch to send it to the side.
"dammit…" Nash was angrier how could he be so careless.
The opposition started the ball again and since it was always one player free Dustin used him as an alternative option when he could.The ball was passed to the player who was wide open and he was about to take a shot. But, just as he was about to shoot, Miguel came out of nowhere and blocked the shot. Nash was relieved as he saw Miguel's quick recovery and applauded his effort. The ball was then passed to Cory who then passed it to Nash. Nash immediately drove towards the basket and scored an easy lay-up.
<66-63>
With the score 66-63, the opposition quickly restarted their fast attack but Miguel and Nash were ready this time. They chased the ball and defended the shot, forcing the opposition to pass the ball around. Dustin tried driving the ball and when he had his back turned against Nash he went on his right quick before feinting and switching attack pattern and met Kazuya who was the one to take on Dustin in Nash try.
Dustin had to loop the ball extending his arm far from Kazuya and let it roll over the basket and Johnny and Gin was ready on the rebound but it hit the backboard.
<68-63>
Gin restarted the ball throwing to Cory who simply ran faster and faster evading into open space and finally made a pass to Kazuya who followed behind. they were on a counter-attack and it was only 2 people stopping them, while they soon gained followers behind. Dustin was wary with Max who was quick to return.
Kazuya made a pass bouncing on the ground to Cory who passed to Miguel coming from the line, Max had to follow Miguel movement, but as response he open up his defense, Miguel passed it back to Cory who managed slip it past Dustin who could barely grasp, widening his shocked eyes as Kazuya laid up the ball in mid air, sending it to the basket with unsatisfied look.
<68-65>
"What kind of a pass was that?" staring angrily at Cory who simply gave him the look *it went well, what is the problem?*
Dustin immediately threw the ball half crossed the court over to an unmarked player and passed it to Johnny who seemed to hide his powers from before got the ball and won over Gin in terms of strength and jumping power.
<70-65>
"Gin shouldn't have any problem…guess there's still more to find out, about their center?"
Nash passed it to Miguel who splendidly dribbled past a player with an eurostep and made a pass to Cory who was going to take on Max as he began dribbling between his legs and pulled off some streetball moves and did a fancy dance.
He quickly faked a shot, and then crossed over, switching the ball to his other hand. Max was caught off guard and Cory was able to get a clear pass to Kazuya who in for a three pointer and made the basket.
<70-68>
the battle continued with no teams giving up, the 3 aces on the philadelphia 76ers facility was getting tired and tired while the Miami Hurricanes camp had many restless players ready to step up on the court
Dustin made a clear 3 pointer and that was the end of the 3rd round. with 10 last minutes to go, with the score of 94-89
*Buzz* time was up, the buzzer buzzed, and players went to the bench ready for the game plan as it might be crucial for winning a place in the semis.
Liam had a confident smirk as he believed we could come back with their members tired, Cory had to step out as he grew tired with all the chasing and got switched out with Zeke, Nash had to take a breather which meant Kazuya was in the point guard position as James took his place.
and as this was the last round we started with the ball, Gin was crucial against Johnny, and Miguel was in defense against Max, now James and Zeke would bring new elements and perhaps make the other team spin around their head.
We started the final round with determination of securing the comeback, the players were anxious and after the buzzer buzzed at the signal of the 4th round Kazuya and all the other four were prepared to give their all.
—-----------------------------------------------------------(got bit lazy, sorry)
It was an intense match and maybe one of the highlights in the tournament, we made a dramatic comeback overwhelming them and managed to get 27 more points than them. Of course half happy half disappointed, there were only those 3 that carried them and with no real good substitute on the bench the score kept increasing. so if they have a total of 5 aces like we have on the bench it would be a lot more challenging.
<117-134>
"well played." We all thanked the other team and I gave Dustin a long look, it was an acknowledgement as he deserves praise and will be a worthy rival. the others all let out a sight, they were tired, sleepy and hungry.
"Everyone, we will Taco when we return back." They grew a sparkle in their eyes, a surge of filling their stomach with Taco, except Nash who had already had his meal prepared by his rich parents.
After this I can finally return to the comfy bed. the silky sheet, the great pillow, and the holy AC. "Kazuya, there is a phone call for you."
>Kazuya I got some news…some you might not like…meet me at my office we will talk more. *beep*beep* —------------------------------ Kazuya nervously walked all the way to Jervin's office, dreading what he could be about to hear. He was filled with anxiousness and fear as he thought about what could have happened. He took a deep breath as he entered the office, trying to keep his composure despite the unknown. "Kazuya, you know Tahiro Seiji, the one you want to beat? The one for your reason to play serious basketball." "Yes…?" "He has sustained AIWS (Alice in wonderland syndrome), permanent blindness in one eye, a damage on his Tibia as well fractured right arm." "!" Kazuya was shocked and filled with worry for Tahiro. He couldn't believe what he was hearing and felt disheartened at the news. He had looked up to Tahiro and had been determined to prove himself by beating him in basketball. Now that Tahiro was injured, it seemed like that dream was no longer possible. "Is it unrepairable?" "afraid so…Tahiro Seiji can never again play basketball or he might end up harming himself." "H-how!?" "He was in a car accident near the Rainbow bridge…he saved a young girl when she was hanging barely on and he did everything he could and thus sustained injury with a large debris of a chunk of the bridge falling of top him, scraping his leg almost crushing it, all that and he managed to safely rescue the girl, but at the cost of nearly his own life." ...... .... .... ...….. ….. "I can't believe it…"