Chapter 77 - Aomine Daiki (1/2)

Teiko's basketball club's second-string was having a practice game against Harada Middle School.

The basketball club management had decided that the first-string team was too powerful, and going to practice matches with the first-string would be an overkill.

So the practice matches were usually were a couple of members of the first-string mixed in with second-string players.

Today as well, Teiko had mixed in Aomine Daiki, Midorima Shintaro, and Kise Ryota into the second-string team.

Aomine and Midorima were the starters, and Kise was Aomine's substitute.

Harada Middle School was a powerhouse in Tokyo prefecture, but they weren't strong enough to make the whole Teiko team play them.

The second-string gym was hosting the game, and players were ready to start the match.

Aomine stood at his position on Harada's side of the court, ready to receive the ball from the tip-off.

He was feeling extremely good today and felt that he needed the ball in his hand as soon as possible.

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Harada won the tip-off, and the ball went to the Harada's point guard. He moved forward and to the half-court line as his teammates moved ran for the attack.

Harada's point guard: ”Let's take it easy and score the first score.”

As Harada's point guard finished his sentence, he saw Aomine running towards him. Aomine was so fast that Harada panicked and tried to move the ball back by twisting his body and ball hand behind.

But, he was unsuccessful as Aomine tipped the ball just before Harada's point guard could protect the ball.

Harada's point guard: 'Crap, so fast!'

Aomine caught the ball and stormed towards the basket. The shooting guard was still behind for the defense in case of a turnover.

He got into Aomine way, ready to stop him.

Harada's shooting guard: ”You are not going any forward.”

Aomine didn't say anything but smiled.

Harada's shooting guard could only watch as Aomine passed him, all he could do was turn and see, Aomine slamming the ball into the basket.

The first score was so sudden that the whole Teiko's bench got up and cheered loudly.

Aomine felt great. His body felt lighter than ever. Aomine felt like he could do anything on the court today.

He went straight to his point guard and asked.

Aomine: ”Hey. If you see me free, pass the ball to me without hesitation.”

The point guard looked at Aomine and nodded.

Teiko's point guard: ”Ok, I will do that.”

-*-*-*-*-*-*-

The game continued with Aomine reigning the offense as the Teiko felt mesmerized as they watched their clubmate play as they had never seen before. Aomine was on fire as he got a majority of the passes from the point guard.

Aomine got to the basket and jumped for a layup. In front of him, Harada's center and shooting guard jumped to block him.

Aomine's breathing hitched as he saw no space to release the ball. In a moment of observation, he saw that the center's hands were to close to each other, and there was a tiny space to the right.

Aomine saw that and thought.

Aomine: 'All or nothing, let's go for it.'

He moved his hand from the front to the extreme right and then pushed the ball of his fingers.

Harada's center thought after seeing the circus shot.

Harada's center: ”There is no way that is going in.”

He tilted his head mid-are to look at the ball and saw that it lightly bounced off the backboard and dropped into the net.

Harada's center: ”What!”