Chapter 010: Acquired 10 minutes of Excessive Seeding material: 'Spider Step Foot Dance'
Kamomedai Gymnasium.
The Kamomedai vs. Iwai game was about to begin. Players from both teams were warming up. On Iwai's side, guard Tsugawa Tomoki eagerly requested a mission from his coach:
"Coach, let me guard Imamatsu Shinshu!"
The Iwai coach didn't hesitate and readily agreed:
"Alright, Imamatsu Shinshu is yours!"
Tsugawa Tomoki's eyes instantly lit up.
Although he couldn't match Kamomedai's Imamatsu Shinshu in size, Tsugawa Tomoki was still brimming with fighting spirit, daring to lock down the opponent's core player as a second-year.
Of course... none of the Iwai players thought he was being arrogant.
Because in the few days since Tsugawa Tomoki had become a second-year, everyone on the team had been tormented by him in intra-squad games.
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Soon, the game began.
Hoshiumi Mì habitually sat in his old spot on the bench.
He stared intently at the fierce battle on the court while keeping his ears perked for any sound from Coach Nakama, afraid of missing the call to enter the game.
According to the coach, the two teams were evenly matched, so the game was sure to be a nail-biter.
As expected.
The game was back-and-forth from the very beginning.
Kamomedai had a huge advantage in the paint, so they focused their attack there.
Iwai's shooting was not bad, so they played to their strengths, shooting a lot from the outside.
On the court.
Tsugawa Tomoki stuck to Imamatsu Shinshu like glue.
With his signature 'Tsugawa smile' on his face, he would say things to provoke his opponent and induce fouls, and his movements were also aggressive.
But Imamatsu Shinshu's style of play was quite steady.
If it was difficult to attack, then he would set more screens for his teammates.
Fortunately, Kamomedai's shooting was on point today, avoiding a repeat of the Seiei game where they couldn't hit from the outside and had to resort to Imamatsu Shinshu and Ouboki Taro forcing their way into the paint.
In the entire first half, they were 5 for 11 from three.
At the end of the first half, the two teams were only separated by two points.
But at the start of the second half, Kamomedai's outside shooting fell apart again.
Several long-range shots in a row clanked off the rim.
The deficit was pulled into the double digits.
Coach Nakama quickly called a timeout, emphasizing the need to strengthen the defense on Iwai's perimeter. However, defense alone wasn't enough; Kamomedai had to be able to score too!
But reality was harsh.
After the timeout, Iwai hit two more threes.
On Kamomedai's side, with their shooting going cold collectively, and Tsugawa Tomoki's one-on-one defense being ridiculously strong, Imamatsu Shinshu couldn't get past him. Center Ouboki Taro was also limited by Iwai's collapsing zone defense strategy.
Kamomedai could only look for opportunities on the perimeter.
But things often go this way: the more anxious you are, the more the ball seems to work against you. By the 6th minute of the second half, Kamomedai was trailing by 20 points.
All the players knew that the best way to break a zone defense was to shoot threes.
But not being able to make them was just too painful!
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When Kamomedai was down by twenty, the Kamomedai students in the stands also started to get anxious.
A basketball-savvy fan analyzed:
"It's the old problem. We don't have the outside shooting to break the game open. Iwai is playing a zone defense now, and its only weakness is outside shooting. Iwai is clearly aware of this, so they're playing with that in mind. Our Kamomedai naturally knows this too, but as you all saw, in a few minutes, guard Nagakura Shun shot three, Kouchi Masaya shot two, and Captain Imamatsu shot one. The three of them combined are only one for six."
"With a shooting percentage like that, against any other team, the deficit would have been much larger long ago. It's only because our Kamomedai is also good at defense that we're only down by twenty right now."
"So the problem now is to solve the outside shooting. Otherwise, it will be the same as always. Not just against Iwai, but against any team that plays a zone, it will be difficult."
"Fortunately..."
"This year, we might have a solution to this problem."
"Everyone saw Hoshiumi-kun's explosive performance last game. So, since the game has just entered the second half, Hoshiumi-kun should be subbed in."
Hearing this, the surrounding Kamomedai students were all shaken.
"That's right!"
"Put in Hoshiumi!"
"Put in Hoshiumi!"
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At this moment, on the court.
Kamomedai requested another timeout.
With their long-range shooting completely ineffective, the starting third-year regulars couldn't help but think of Hoshiumi Mì's performance in recent days.
In games.
In practice.
To be honest... they also felt it was time to put Hoshiumi in.
Including the third-year shooting guard Nagakura Shun, who was in direct competition with Hoshiumi Mì.
Finally, Nagakura Shun took the initiative to approach Coach Nakama and said, "Coach, why don't we... sub Hoshiumi in? Really... it's okay. You don't have to worry about my pride..."
"If someone says, 'It's so pitiful for a third-year to be a substitute for his junior,' I really don't care at all. As long as it can increase the team's strength, I'll do anything. Even if I'm not a starter, I will absolutely not slack off."
Hearing this.
The other third-year players all looked over.
Nakama Sho was silent for a moment.
He had originally planned to sub Hoshiumi Mì in at this point, but he hadn't expected Nagakura's realization to come so quickly, and so calmly.
Nakama Sho nodded.
"Hoshiumi!"
Hoshiumi Mì was already prepared. Hearing Coach Nakama's call, he immediately got up from the bench and quickly walked to the coach's side.
"Did you hear that?"
"Nagakura suggested subbing you in for him. I hope you won't let him down."
Hoshiumi Mì's heart immediately burned with passion.
Not just because he could play.
But also... because of Nagakura Shun's words just now.
He nodded heavily: "Don't worry."
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The moment he stepped onto the court.
[Confirmed entry into an official match...]
[Draw a Future Preview Package?]
'Yes!'
[In the future, through the tempering of effort and sweat, you will become a formidable defensive stalwart]
[...]
[Acquired a 10-minute Future Preview Package: 'Dance of the Spider's Legs']