Chapter 85 - Tokiwadai Gets Ready (1/2)
It had been a few months and Tokiwadai had improved, and now was ready to enter the tournament season.
Not many things had changed, but the team had gained a few skills that would be helpful in difficult circ.u.mstances.
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Shun was playing in the mini-game, and the ball was with the opposite team. Shun looked at the players, pass possibilities, and saw an opening to Mibuchi.
Shun: 'I will be too late for a steal, but a contest will be plausible.'
Shun ran to Mibuchi, and just as Shun predicted, the ball went to Mibuchi.
Shun arrived near Mibuchi and stopped. Shun didn't go in straight with a jump and contest Mibuchi as he didn't want to be faked out by a pump fake.
Mibuchi smiled as he saw Shun closing in.
Shun: 'Why is he smiling?'
Many thoughts went through Shun's mind, but he wasn't able to think of anything.
Mibuchi bent his knees, ready to take a shoot. Shun followed the same, and both of them jumped for a shot and the corresponding contest.
But, Shun found that he wasn't able to contest as he wasn't able to jump. At that time, Shun understood the meaning behind Mibuchi's smile.
Shun: 'The Void Shot! When did he develop this?!'
Mibuchi felt confident from successfully tricking Shun and shot the ball with total confidence.
Shun turned to look at the ball as it went in the net without touching the rim.
Shun turned to Mibuchi and commented.
Shun: ”That was incredible, but it is not going to work on me again.”
Mibuchi: ”That is just you. There is no way others would figure this out so easily.”
Shun nodded and said.
Shun: ”This makes three special shots. With this, I think you are the most versatile shooter in the country.”
Shun was right if it was the matter of versatility, Mibuchi had passed Midorima by a large margin, who only used simple jump shots.
Mibuchi smiled and said.
Mibuchi: ”Thank you for the compliment.”
Mibuchi Reo was finally in his complete Uncrowned King form.
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Yuki was guarding Aone in the key. Yuki was trying to stop Aone from entering the low post. He knew if Aone got inside to the post, then his chances of stopping Aone would plummet.
Yuki got in close and spread his arms to restrict Aone's movement.
Aone tried to move, but Yuki was there to stop him. Aone had to pass the ball to his teammate before he wasted any more time on the shot clock.
Aone looked back at Yuki and nodded. That was his way of saying good work.
Yuki smiled as he nodded in thanks, though the next possession Aone and Yuki once again met at the key, this time Aone faked out Yuki with a pass fake. As he had stopped with the ball in both of his hands, if he moved further, then he would have charged with carrying.
So he squared up to the basket and shot the ball to the basket, he had no illusions that it would go in, so he went in for the rebound.
Aone charged into the Dee and beat two players to the rebound and got the ball. Aone then jumped once again to dunk his ball into the hoop.
Yuki wryly smiled as he said.
Yuki: ”He sure is competitive.”
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Kaitani Riku dribbled through the court with a grin on his face.
The speed and agility he showcased helped him move through the court, and he had been working on his dribbling skills.
Kaitani remembered the advice Shun had given him.
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Shun had the ball with Kaitani in front of him.
Shun: ”You have the control over your speed, so why don't you put it to good use.”
Shun dribbled the ball and said.
Shun: ”Try to stop me. I will show you what I mean.”
Kaitani nodded and got ready to defend against Shun.
They started at the top of the key.
Shun: ”Now look carefully and try to stop me.”
Shun ran diagonally to the left, and Kiatani followed him. Half-way between the key and the baseline, Shun put the breaks on and made a sharp right turn to the basket.
Kaitani was not ready for the sharp turn by Shun.
Kaitani: ”Oh, carp!”
Kaitani also stopped and followed Shun, but found that Shun was faster than before, plus he had a head start on him.
Kaitani: 'I won't reach.'
Shun reached the basket and put the ball in with a layup.
Kaitani spoke when Shun looked at him after scoring.
Kaitani: ”That was a sharp turn. Is this what are you're talking about.”
Shun: ”Sharp, quick turns will be perfect for you. The defender will take time to adjust and follow you.”
Kaitani nodded but then put up a question.
Kaitani: ”You were faster after you made the cut. What was up with that?”
Shun sighed and explained.
Shun: ”First, going full speed all the time is not a good practice. It will tire you out. Second, if you go at full speed during dribbling, then you would end up crashing with the defender and gain a charging foul.
Regulating your speed will help you gain more control. I never go full if there is not a clear path for me to charge.”