I don't own SD.

The Nation's 4th best team, Aiwa Gakuen.

The Shohoku Basketball team sat in front of the small television watching last year's match between Aiwa and Kainan.

Number 4- Moroboshi Dai-SG

Height 180cm

Weight 70kg

3rd year

"Moroboshi Dai, also known as The Star of Aichi, is unlike any SG in Japan. He, as the ace of Aiwa, can shoot, drive, defend but his passing skills and court vision is better than some point guard." stated the former White-haired Devil.

Moroboshi just scored 2 consecutive 3 pointers. This time when he received the ball, he mentioned for a screen, Maki having seen the sign turned some attention to where the screen might. In the split second, Moroboshi drove past Maki, facing Takasago for the mismatch and easily get by him too. And scored easily. The next Aiwa possession, Aiwa's point guard crossed over Jin at the top of the 3point line, forcing Maki to switch over. The ball was quickly passed to Moroboshi who once again found a mismatch again a slower Takasago, and as before left him easily. Maki at that same moment recovered to go help defend, had to avoid near perfect screen. Seeing that happen Kainan's forward quickly came to cover Moroboshi leaving he defendant alone, hoping Takasago would pick him up. Maki seeing this expected an easy turnover from and tried to double team him. Moroboshi bounces back outside behind……to the man who set the screen, just a few seconds ago.

"As you can see, Moroboshi maybe very skillful, but the teamwork is also unrivaled. However only someone with great vision and skill can make that pass" finished Anzai.


Number 5- Sazuka Kai -PF

Height 184cm

Weight 80kg

3rd year

"Another national level player, skilled in transition basketball.." Explained Coach Anzai. "Sakuragi-kun watch him carefully" he continued.

On the screen, they see cutting to the other side of the court after Kainan broke Aiwa's fast break. Instead of continuing his cut, he posted on the stronger Kainan defender. Meanwhile the ball swung to the right quickly to Moroboshi , forcing Kainan to adjust its defense. But the moment Moroboshi received the ball, he passed it back quickly, who in turn passed it to number 13. He in turn faked a shot, faked a pass to the point guard but bounce passed to Kai. Kai spun so fast that left his defender baffled, and threw thunderous dunk.

'This guy is impossibly fast under the bucket! Did you see that speed he spun past defender?" said Ryota in an alarmed tone. "Yes Miyagi-kun, this player is known for his footwork, not only is he quick, but strong for his size" Anzai as calmly as always.


Number 13- Tomoyuki Nagato -SF

Height 182cm

Weight 80kg

2nd year

Aiwa's point guard had stolen a ball from Maki and passed it to Moroboshi who is already running the fastbreak. He is followed closely by Kai and Nagato. As they reached Kainan's 3-point line. Kainan's managed to catch up, A pass to quick Kai to the left, and he drive in to score, Moroboshi continued on with Maki on his heels, Nagato continued his movement to the basket but cut trough to the other side. Because of the massive traffic in the paint, he's free again. Kai simply threw a no-look pass over his shoulder to him. 'Swish' a clean shot.

"It him again, he made that open shot earlier" remarked Mitsui. "Tomoyuki-kun was still a freshman last year. As you can see, he's a good shooter. He may not be true a 3-point shooter, but he's mid-range jump shot is unrivaled. Watch"

The next few possessions show how Nagato score shot after shot, whether with defender or not.

"Mitsui-kun, he's the team most consistent shooter." Suddenly, Nagato faked a shot, quickly driving a jumping Jin behind and pulled up for another jump shot. Passing the ball over to an open Kai.


Number 6- Kobayashi Masato -PG

Height 180cm

Weight 70kg

2nd year

Everyone gasped as Masato managed another steal after giving Jin a horrible time. He's been defending Jin tenaciously the whole game already. Jin was still scoring but unlike his usual self, he missed a number of his attempts.

"This is Aiwa's 2nd best defender. He maybe shorter than Jin, instead of defending while they have the ball, his tries to close off his passing lanes. This cause Jin to move for the ball and in the process exhausting him. Masato is usually assigned to opponent's point guard to disrupt their playing tempo. Or his job is to shut down the opposing team's best scorer in the backcourt. Because of him Moroboshi can concentrate more on offense. But in this case, Maki is a physically stronger than him and that started to wear him off. So they switched him over to Jin." explained Anzai.

"hmm…so their backcourt is quite good in defense, and switching with Moroboshi every now and then gives them both a breather" commented Akagi " and the center was already a 3rd year so we don't have to worry about him anymore. Anzai-sensei, do we have any information about the new center?."

"Ayako-kun, can you show them the released stats of Aiwa?" asked Anzai.


These are the stats of Aiwa's starters after 2 IH games.

4 Moroboshi Dai- 24.5 ppg.- 2.0rbg.- 8.0 apg.- 3.0 spg.- 1.5 bpg

5 Sazuka Kai -25.0 ppg- 6.0 rbg.- 4.0 apg.- 1.0 spg.- 1.0 bpg

6 Kobayashi Masato -13.0 ppg- 1.0 rbg.- 6.0 apg.- 3.5 spg.- 0.5 bpg

13 Tomoyuki Nagato-23.5 ppg- 6.0 rbg.- 5.5 apg.- 1.5 spg.- 0.0 bpg

15 Hayase Hikaru- 8.0 ppg-10.0 rbg.- 3.0 apg.- 0.5 spg- 2.0 bpg

"After seeing these stats and the tape. Aiwa is a team made for transition basketball. Their main defense is stealing the ball to start a fast break. That is mainly depending on their guards." Said Kogure, their meeting is over, but no one stopped replaying the tape in their heads.

Akagi pondered." Yes, they are dangerous in the paint. With Moroboshi driving past the guards, forcing the center and forwards to switch over to him…"

" And that makes Kobayashi and Nagato free, they are deadly there" finished Kogure. "They might be shorter than us, but their size match the playing style, they defense isn't weak at all despite their small size. And they are definitely a team with a pass-first mentality." Followed Ryota

Aiwa Gakuen didn't finish 4th in the last Summer IH for nothing. They run against a fast paced Kainan. Their transition offense is nearly unstoppable and creating mismatches and has an unrivaled teamwork. But they were defeated, because their average shooting from the outside except Moroboshi and mid-range jumpers from Nagato. In the Semi-finals, Aiwa's opponent preyed on that 'weakness' because of their superb defense in the paint combined with transition defense. The size perfectly matches their playing style. Using smaller forwards to outpace opponents and bigger guards with great agility wear out opponent's playmakers and guards. Their defense bases a lot on their guards to read the opponents movements and intercept the passes to initiate their own attack. But this year Aiwa's has improved on their weakness, even though they needn't show that in the first games, because their opponent wasn't strong enough to stop their transition game.

The following morning

"200!" shouted Hanamichi after making his 200th shot this morning. "This Tensai is going to win this game all be himself, and Haruko-san would surely forget Rukawa" he thought. "Nyahahahaha!"

"SA-KU-RA-GI! Why are you up so early disturbing the peace!" said Ayako.

"Ayako-san? You sounded just like Gori"

'Twack!' "Say what Sakuragi?"

Some what later.

'I can't sleep, my body still hurt from yesterday's match.' Pondered Ryota. 'Even though Anzai-sensei explained Aiwa's 'limitations' last night. I can't help but have a bad feeling about this, besides their guards are such great defensive players.' He was so deep in thought that he didn't see who walking towards him.

"Ohayo Ryota"

That voice pierced trough Ryota's mind, it's that angel-like voice that belonged to his crush, Ayako.

"A-Aya-chan, why are you up so early?"

"Shouldn't you greet someone in the morning?"

"Ahh..gomen..Ohayo Aya-chan" Ryota was blushing furiously 'Baka!'

"Why are you up so early ,Ryota?"

"uhhh..I am up for some fresh air." He kicked himself mentally for lying to Ayako

"Oh! Is that so? Since when are you up so early for air? You are worried about the game, aren't you?"

"well…ummm…yes…" embarrassed because he was caught lying.

"Ryota, do you remember what I wrote on your hand during the game against Sannoh?"

"……"

"Yes, Ryota, you defended Maki valiantly during our match against them, defeated Fujima, and managed to break Sannoh's trap. Do you still doubt yourself after that? I for one have confidence that you can truly handle these guys"

"Aya-chan"

"Ohhh! Look at the time, I still have some papers to fill in, see ya later" with that Ayako hurried out of sight.

"Aya-chan"

"The crowd doesn't sounds excited at all" commented Kogure. Shohoku was in their locker-room getting ready for their half-time warm-up.

As Shohoku went to courtside in preparation for their warm-up.

Kainan was winning 41-26.

"Looks like Kainan has this game wrapped up" snorted Akagi. "Otamori High has no chance at all if this keeps up"

Half-time went as fast as it came. Soon the buzzer marked another Kainan's victory.

"Alright! Listen up, like pointed out by Anzai-sensei last night. Miyagi-kun, you have Kobayashi. Mitsui-kun, you have Moroboshi. Rukawa-kun, Nagato. Akagi-kun, Hayase and Sakuragi-kun, you will guard Sazuka. Remember, they will always try to create mismatches, and make sure to the paint is off-limit."

"YOSSHH!...SHOHOKU!...FIGHT…FIGHT…FIGHT!"

At the same time.

"Ok guys, you know what to do. Run fast breaks early, and force them to play our speed. Follow what we have planned out and this will be alright. They might have defeated Sannoh, but we Aiwa have worked hard to avenge our loss last year against them. But don't take em lightly, play them as if you are playing Sannoh."

"1..2..3.. GO AIWA!"

The stadium has been full since the 2nd half of the Kainan-Otamori game. Everyone wants to see if Shohoku's last game was a fluke or not. This was the perfect test, a match against Aiwa Gakuen. Aiwa along with Sannoh Tech, Daie High of Toyotama Prefecture were the candidates for the championship. Sannoh tech was eliminated by an unknown school. At the mention of Kanagawa, one has Kainan in mind. The tides have changed, with the insurgence of Meihou and Kainan proving a lot stronger than they appeared. And this sudden upset, the title is bound to be won by anyone.

The gym was so noisy that you will have to scream to make your neighbor understand you. It was as crowded and noisy as the championship game.

As the players take their positions for the tip-off. 'That rookie center seems to be around 190cm, but he is build extremely strong. He looks like a fast player judging from the warm-ups. He's perfectly suits Aiwa's philosophy though. Smaller but faster than other centers' as Ayako finalizes her analysis.

"Ok boys, Good luck" the referee whistled and throws the ball up for the tip-off. Everyone the gym tensed and the moment they have been waiting for commenced.

While on the court, both Akagi and Hayase jumped up at the same time!

That was chapter 1 of my first SD fanfic. Sorry if the names of Aiwa's players sound weird. I am not very good with names after all. Please R&R. Thanks for reading.