Chapter 145 - Final-Day Game; Part-One (1/2)

The game started with the tip-off.

This time there were no restrictions, and Gilbert stepped forward for the tip-off, to match him, Roger stepped to the center for the first possession of the game.

Gilbert did some shallow hops on the spot and said.

Gilbert: ”I haven't jumped for the tip-off in so long.”

He looked at Roger and spoke.

Gilbert: ”You should just give up and hand the ball directly to us.”

Roger smiled but didn't say anything in response.

Gilbert clicked his tongue and muttered.

Gilbert: ”Pretty boys with their perfect smiles should just die.”

But, the next moment, both put on serious expressions and got into positions for the tip-off.

Albert came to the center of the court. He saw that all of the players were ready for the game.

Albert: ”Well, it looks like you guys are ready. So, without any delay, let the game begin.”

Gilbert and Roger jumped for the ball, Gilbert, who was taller and had a greater vertical jump than Roger got to the ball first.

Gilbert: ”Here we go. The ball is all mine.”

Gilbert caught the ball and tipped it straight to Shun, who caught the ball and slowly dribbled forward while the other players took positions.

Ming stayed behind to defend Shun.

Shun watched Ming, and without hesitation closed in towards in, and stepped into his range.

Without giving Ming time to try anything on defense, Shun did a smooth spin-move.

The speed of the spin wasn't fast, and it allowed Ming to step back to catch up to the ball, but when he laid his eyes on Shun, he was startled.

Ming: ”Where is the ball?”

The ball wasn't with Shun. He had passed the ball during the spin-move when the ball was out of Ming's line of sight.

Rafael posted-up against Antony and pushed him back. He came near the basket but didn't score on his own. And, passed the ball in a bounce-pass right in front of the basket.

The ball bounced once, and Bruno caught it right in front of the basket, who jumped towards the basket.

Roger jumped for a block, but the timing wasn't perfect, and Bruno was strong. The force pushed Roger's hand, and Bruno scored with a powerful dunk.

-*-*-*-

Shun clapped his hands and said loudly.

Shun: ”That was a nice play.”

But, then he saw Roger throwing the ball to Ming, who was moving away from Shun.

Shun saw the ball flying to Ming, so he ran towards him.

Ming caught the ball and ran. He turned his head to look at Shun, who was running towards him.

He clicked his tongue when he saw Ming passing the ball in the other direction from where Shun was approaching while looking at Shun.

Shun frowned in disp.l.e.a.s.u.r.e as he looked at the blind pass being caught by Ivan, who ran towards the basket with everyone a good distance from him.

Shun: ”Damn.”

Gilbert and Rafael tried to chase after Ivan, but the man was way ahead of them and scored with an easy layup.

Ming smiled and called out to Shun.

Ming: ”That pass was smooth, but no way you're are going to get the lead so easily.”

Shun smiled in excitement and looked at the players around him and spoke to himself.

Shun: ”Oh, this is going to be so much fun.”

-*-*-*-

Sarah smiled as she looked at Shun and Ming's play.

Sarah: ”Shun has good ball-handling skills. That pass, hidden in the transition of the spin-move, was very well executed.

But, unfortunately, Ming has much experience than Shun, a fast play right after the score. He must've instructed his teammates to be ready.”

She glanced at Leonal, expecting a reply.

Leonal stayed silent for a while before answering.

Leonal: ”The complexity of pass routines changes when you switch from middle school to high school.

Shun still isn't used to complex plays, but Ming has been playing with those plays for a long time.

Plus, everyone here other than Shun has played for their country at an international level, we all have received guidance by the best in our country.

Give him time, and he will catch up in a couple of years. He can copy almost everyone here, and that itself shows that he remembers how we play, which means he has a lot of reference material to work on.”

Sarah nodded and turned her attention back to the game.

Shun dribbled the ball to near the right side three-point arc and threw it straight ahead to where Bruno was standing.

Bruno wanted to charge in, but Carlos closed in on him, not giving him any space to work in, so Bruno threw a lob pass back to Shun, who was now at the top of the key.

Shun wasted no time and did the same lob pass to the left side of the basket near the baseline to Douglas, who immediately posted-up against Roger and pushed him towards the basket.

Near the basket, Douglas did his patented drop step, got past Roger, and jumped for the basket.

But, Roger wasn't going to lose so easily and jumped to put a hand on the ball, which messed up Douglas's dunk, and it bounced off the rim.

Douglas: ”Aaah, man. You are nimble!”

But, all wasn't lost as Gilbert was always ready for a rebound. He jumped for the basket and tipped the ball into the basket.