NANAHO'S PAST; COACHING TALENT

In junior high I attended Kawako private junior high school. And that's where I fell in love with basketball. However, I wasn't able to play because I didn't have the talent for the sport but i still wanted to be apart of it. So I decided to become a coach instead because I found it intriguing and I did my research on how to coach a team and a strategist. In my second year I founded the basketball team and recruiting players was not a challenge. As an inexperienced coach I had to train them using visual aid because all of them knew nothing about the sport and I had no one to demonstrate it to them.

The first thing I taught them to do was how to pass the ball. Then after they caught on I moved them on to learning how to dribble. This stage was really a great challenge for because most of them hardly caught on or made any progress until two months in they understood how not to travel. They were then taught how to score a layup. Though it took sometime for them to master with a bit of motivation they started scoring them more accurately. Finally, they learnt how to work as a team and adapt a defensive formation, how to score freethrows and jumpshots.

Due to their steady growth I decided to register them into the upcoming season. And before I knew it their first game came. Our first game was up against Shoko junior high which had the player with a scoring title Kogure Kobayashi.

Before the game even touched the second quarter we were loosing forty three points to nothing and all of my players were tired and most of them lost hope. Come on guys run play number twelve!! Shouted Nanaho. Even though they were discouraged they started running the play. They set up a three-two formation with the majority of them on the outside of the three point arc and the others playing within. A double screen was set from the inside players to the players on the wing.

The wing players then cut to the paint and player who had the ball quickly passed it. To Shoko junior high's coach suprise Kawako finally scored a layup, putting the score at forty three to two. That's the way everyone, keep it up we can do this!! Shouted Nanaho. The coach is right we still can do this!! Shouted a Kawako player. Although their seemed to be hope for them it was dwindled by the second quarter. The scores were eighty five to seven which meant that there was no chance for a comeback.

Come on guys, the game is not over there's two quarters remaining do not give up said Nanaho as she noticed the gloomy looks in their eyes. Coach, no Nanaho this was fun and all but I don't think we were every capable of competing against these monsters in the first place. This match alone is proof that we don't belong to the sport said one of the players. Don't say that it's your first game ever you still can improve said Nanaho. No, that guy Kogure made us look like fools, there's no place for us in this sport we just don't have the talent. So please just forfeit the match before we get humiliated any further said the player.

Nanaho looked around for anyone of them to oppose the forfeit but everyone avoided eye contact so she was forced to go to the officials to tell him that they forfeit. Although hurt by this decision she remained strong even after the game ended. As the team was about to leave on the bus a boy ran and called out to Nanaho who was trying not to cry. Hey, you there wait up the shouted the boy. Um, what is it? Asked Nanaho surprised.

My name is Yukio Hamaguchi, a player on Shoko junior high. Even though there was no way for your team to win against us I was really impressed with the plays you came up with for them. The plays they ran on the court caught me and my teammates by surprise however because of their inexperience and lack of skill we were able to stop them from scoring. If you had a better team I'm sure that we would have a hard time winning the game said Yukio with a gentle smile.

I'm not sure if I have what it takes to be a coach, today just proved that, we lost badly and that's that said Nanaho. What do you mean? Don't say that, Its not your fault why you lost, the players just cant keep up with your plays that you create at their level. They can't execute them but that doesn't mean that they aren't good so don't give up on your talent or on being a coach. You have a gift for it and it will be recognized on the high school level one day said Yukio. You really think so? Asked Nanaho. Of course I do, I look forward to seeing you in the future.

After that day I was even more determined than ever to become better at training and developing a team. However, due to the last game we played against Shoko, it really took a toll on the players mentally. They started coming to training less frequently and then one after the other they all left completely without even saying a word to me. But I didn't give up, I continued my research and knowledge on the sport and how to effectively run a team for rest of my junior high school days.

I then applied for Toshigawa academy because I knew that it was a well known prestigious school and it would be the perfect place to start a brand new basketball team however to my surprise a teams was already there. Wait, I know you said Nanaho surprised. Yeah, I recognized you as well but I didn't catch your name back then. Wait, don't tell you're Nanaho Fukazawa the first year who applied to be our coach right? said Yukio. Yes that's me, that's great we're lucky to have someone like you as our coach this year we'll be going to the inter high for sure said Yukio in a happy mood .

Wow, this guy played for Shoko junior high as a starting member that means he's a good player, it looks like I made the right choice then said Nanaho to herself excitedly.

Come on let me introduce you to the team. Oh, Yukio you're back and you brought someone with you . Yes, Seiji, this is Nanaho Fukazawa a first year and she'll be our coach for the rest of her years here. Nice to meet all of you said Nanaho as she bowed.

My brother told me a lot about you and your capabilities Nanaho and based on what I've heard you are an excellent choice for our coach. I'm counting on you, the whole team is yours to command, lead us to victory. Yes I'll try my best said Nanaho. My name is Seiji Hamaguchi, I'm the captain of the team and I'm sure that you've became acquainted with my younger brother Yukio.

This is Hiroki Yukimura the vice captain of the team. Junpei Urahara a third year. My name Takahiro Morikawa I'm a second year.

This newbie is Hayato Nakajima he's a first year like you, the kid's got talent and he'll be playing point guard for us so be sure to drill the plays into his brain said Seiji. Right, I definitely will. I'm Jirou Suzuki, a second year and I'm the second guard nice to meet you beautiful said Jirou as winked. Save whatever that is for outside of training or we will have a problem said Seiji. Yes, captain, I know, I know. The rest of us are still out jogging but most of our main players are here. I'll be putting you in charge of our training for this week just to test your training's effectiveness said Seiji..

Wow, I can't believe it the captain Seiji looks like he's above a hundred and ninety centimeters and Yukio and Hiroki seems to be above a hundred and eight centimeters. And then theirs Hayato and Jirou, I'm not sure what skills they have but I know that they have a strong team this year, I'm glad that I enrolled into Toshigawa academy said Nanaho to herself excitedly.