Chapter 2:
The Ryonan game was very interesting, even more interesting than the Shoyo game.
The game had started and as both teams each scored back and forth, back and forth, but soon, using Rukawa's explosiveness, Shohoku started little by little pulling away.
Sendoh was amazed at how much Rukawa had improved. He was an absolute monster, scoring from jump shots, fadeaways, dunks, layups, 3-pointers, and even floaters.
His passing was the same, with behind-the-back passes and no-look passes.
Sendoh, acting as team captain, really didn't want his team to miss the IH tournaments two years in a row. He started playing his best, with Shohoku leading 39:33 at the start of the second half.
"Hey Sendoh, seems like I'll be going to U.S.A this year huh?" Rukawa whispered to Sendoh during the jump ball.
Sendoh personally thought he would, but just said, "You wish." As the second half started, both star players of their teams readied themselves to defeat each other.
The jump ball was easily won Sakuragi, who tapped it out to Kashda, who gave it to the point guard, Miyagi.
He then dribbled it up to the three-point line, where he stopped and looked for someone to pass to. He found Kashda then Miyagi ran towards the net, then suddenly stepped back to the free throw line.
Kashda, knowing what Miyagi would do, gave the ball back to an open Miyagi. Miyagi then drained a jumper.
"His shot has improved." Sendoh thought.
Fukuda inbounded to Uekusa, the third year point guard. Uekusa decided to speed up the pace a little bit, and sped through the court and threw the ball to Sendoh.
Sendoh drove to the basket then suddenly throwing a pass across to Fukuda, who layed the ball in.
It went on like this for the next sixteen minutes, back and forth, back and forth. But gradually, point-by-point, Ryonan tied up with Shohoku with four minutes left. 73:73.
Sendoh and Rukawa had each the same stats: 42 points, 6 assists, and 8 rebounds. They had gone neck to neck on most of their team's possessions.
Shohoku called a timeout with four minutes left. Anzai-sensei, decided to use Sakuragi as the temporary weapon.
Sakuragi then started slapping Anzai-Sensei's double chin and pounding his huge belly. "That's the first time you said something sensible, old man! Using this Tensai instead of that stupid kitsune will be the best thing you've ever done!"
"Do'aho."
Ayako then pounded them both on their heads with her paper fan.
As both teams took the floor, Rukawa had one thing on his mind.
"Defeat Sendoh and become Japan Number one!"
The game started again, with Shohoku with possession. Miyagi posted up Sakuragi, who was guarded by a second year center.
Sakuragi turned and faced the basket, started to dribble left, but suddenly turned right and shot. The jump shot swished through the net cleanly. 75-73.
Ryonan's possession was directed to Sendoh. Sendoh stutter stepped, and drove in.
He then threw a cross-court pass to Koshino, who was behind the three-point line.
Koshino shot, and the ball bounced once on the rim and went in.
"Nice job!!" Sendoh yelled to Koshino.
The ball was given to Sakuragi, but this time, Fukuda guarded him.
"You again." muttered Sakuragi.
"Yes, and I'm gonna win this time." Fukuda replied.
"Watch this Tensai score!!" Sakuragi yelled as backed up, bit by bit, and then tried to spin around Fukuda, but the senior Ryonan player kept his ground and stayed between Sakuragi and the basket.
"Damnit!! His friggin' defense has improved." Sakuragi thought. This time, he tried to use his quickness and speed by Fukuda but he still stayed on him. Sakuragi threw up a clumsy shot in frustration, and it bounced off back rim.
The ball bounced out to Uekusa, who ran off with Koshino and Sendoh, with only Mitsui defending.
"Shit, two points for Ryonan." Mitsui thought, as Sendoh swooped upon him before passing to Koshino.
Mitsui tried to draw a charge on Koshino, but Koshino scored and the referee called a blocking foul on Mitsui.
Koshino laughed and said, "BOOYA!!" Even though the comment wasn't directed at Mitsui, who Koshino respected, but Mitsui still took it as an insult to himself.
"Bastard..." he thought.
Koshino missed the free throw, and the rebound was taken by Mitsui.
Mitsui held on, and gave it to Kashda. Kashda, though inexperienced, was a very calm and smart player.
He saw the determined eyes of Mitsui, and gave the ball to him.
Mitsui, as he caught the ball, immediately drove by Koshino and dunked the ball with a sort of ferocity (YES HE DUNKED IT!!).
Wordlessly, Anzai-sensei gave him a huge thumbs up. Mitsui responded by showing his muscles.
Koshino took this as a challenge and called at Uekusa, "Hey Uekusa, give me the ball, ok?" Uekusa nodded as a response.
"This will be an interesting matchup..." Anzai-Sensei thought, chuckling while drinking tea.
Demi: Well, in my opinion, this chapters way better than the first one. Give some reviews plz!! Don't worry though, there won't be too many flashback chapters.
(Note: I'm concentrating on Mitsui now!!)
