A/N I don't own Kingdom Hearts nor ESPN nor any of the NCAA teams. I just own this story. I won't write any of the "Tune up games" just the big games of the season. Warning there will be Duke bashing.
"This is it." Sora said in his mind. "The first real test of the season. I hope the team is focused." He cleared his mind as he finished his scouting report for the second game of the season. He won the first game against Maristt by 50 points. Though this time, they play against a team that could potentially win the National Championship, the Kansas Jayhawks in Madison Square Garden. Kairi back at home watching his kids while he is at New York. They were happy for their dad that their dad is dating again. Especially since it's Kairi. He won't see them until Sunday night when they get back from their preseason tournament but for now his focus is on Kansas as Sora is scouting them with Riku.
"All right... they say Trey Walker is the one of the best shooters on the team. I'm having Mike guard." He said referencing his starting forward Mike Andrew-Phipps. The team's starting power forward. Riku nodded in agreement.
"What about Thomas Jackson? He had a big game last Friday with 35 points and 20 rebounds."
"I'll have Terry guard him." Sora answered. He then checked the clock and sees that have 30 minutes till game time.
"All right. Time to address the team."
"All right. Oh and by the way, Congrats on you and Kairi." He said. Sora smiled and blushed while rubbing his head.
"Thanks. I haven't felt this happy since Shimi died. Kairi is like her. She's smart, beautiful and funny. Everything I wanted for a woman. Shimi would have wanted me to move on and that's what I plan to do. But I'll worry about that later. Right now, we gotta join the team." After they finished scouting, Sora and Riku walked to the team locker room. He is pleased to see the team all dressed and ready to go. He's also glad to see them having fun together and being all teammates. He cleared his voice to begin his speech.
"All right guys before I show you the game plan, I just wanna say this... this is gonna be a tough season. You don't just win on talent alone. You got to be your brothers keeper. If we don't come together then we will lose games but if we do... we are cutting down the nets." The team's eyes widen. Did their coach really say that?
"But whether we do it or not, doesn't make me think of any less of you. You all are winners. And I love you guys so much. Now here's the keys to game." He said as he pointed out at the board.
"Number one:Hold them off under 40% shooting. Number Two:Out rebound the other team 3. share the ball. get at least 21 assists as a team. You do that, we win." He said then he clapped his hands.
"All right, let's go kick their asses." The team, were pumped up then they marched to the Arena for shoot around. Not long after, Sora joined them. He sees both teams Practicing while walking. He then sees the other coach whose name is Coach Self. He walks over to him to shake his hand.
"Hey coach, good to see ya." Self said to him.
"Good to see ya. Good luck tonight. But not too much." Sora joked. Self gave him a smile as both coaches returned to their benches. After the starting lineup was introduced.
Meanwhile back at Lexington
Kairi just tucked the kids in bed. She allowed the twins to spend the night because it would be easier to take them to school rather then let the babysitter spend the night and watch them. Kairi loves the twins. They begged her to watch the game but she told them it's too late to watch a 9:00 game. They didn't argue and went to bed like angels. Kairi then turned on the TV and watches the pregame show. She sees the ESPN analyst Mike Shulman and Dick Vitale onscreen.
"You've just witnessed History as Duke Coach Mike Kryzewski broke Bob Knight's record. A history in the making. But now it's Kentucky vs Kansas time. Dickie V Take it away." Shulman said. Kairi rolled her eyes. Ever since she was 15 in 1992, she hated Duke ever since Christian Laettner beat Kentucky in a buzzer beater in a game he should have been kick out.
"Aw..I'm excited for Coach K. It's a tremendous achievement that he broke Bob Knight's record and I don't care what anybody says he's the greatest coach in all of sports." Dickie V said. Kairi wanted to gag by hearing that.
"But forget about that! This is the big show. The main attraction." Shulman spoke. "The Kentucky Wildcats taking on the Kansas Jayhawks. And coach. Sora Fair's got one heck of team coming in.
"That's right Mike, He's got super sensation player named Patrick Johnson who can block shots. He is a PTPER, baby. It's awesome baby with a captial 'A'." Kairi's face grimaced as she got up to cook some leftover soup to calm her nerves. After it was done, she puts it on her TV table she set up earlier. She took a few bites before Finally the PA Announcer called the starting lineup.
Back at the Garden
After the starting intros, Sora rallied his team and prepared to give them their game plan.
"Now Mike, I want you to guard that Walker kid. He's shot of 40% last year and I need you to stay on him like my 5 year old son guarding his pretend castle. And Pat, I want you to use your Inspector Gadget hands. to block the inside. And Carl, when you have the opportunity, shoot the open three. You too, Terry." He said referring to his senior point guard. Once horn buzzed. Both teams went to mid court to jump. The refree tossed the ball and Patrick was the first to get the ball and hands it to Terry being guarded by his man. Terry points to Pat to do a pick and roll, once Pat did it. Terry drove to basket and hits a layup and scores the first basket. Sora raised a fist pump. After the basketball they went man to man defense. Patrick looks at the man rolling up to lay it in but before he could, Patrick swats it. Puts it in bounds then passes to Mike. Mike runs into transition offense sees that Carl is wide open. He passes it to Carl as Carl catches it then shoots with no one guarding him and swishes. The Cats scored the first 5 points. After that though Terry forgot left his man open as the in bounder pass 30 feet then passed it to another then laid it in there. The game was a little bit back and fourth but Sora was happy that they are not peaking yet because if they peak too early, it could lead to an Early round loss.
The halftime score was a tied game at 30. Sora told the team that they're doing good on defense but they got to shoot the ball better. They came out of halftime with more energy. The team then scored their first 19 points in a row to star the second half. They played interior defense and shot 59% in the second half. Once the horn buzzed the final score was 72-56. Sora shaked Coach Self's hand then the rest of the opposing team before being interviewed by an ESPN reporter. Sora usually hates
"Well Coach, a slow start in the first half but you guys pulled through, what did you say to them at halftime?" Sora sighed then answered.
"Well... I told them I was pleased we haven't peaked yet because if you peak early, it leads to disaster. But they played like I wanted them to play because I knew we would get better. I told them that they needed to tighten up a little more and played more man to man and it caused them to shoot under 30% which I love."
"And tell me about Patrick Johnson. He had 5 blocks including saving the ball inbounds, what makes him so effective." Sora gave the reporter a smirk.
"He's 6'10 with a 7'3 wingspan. That's why he's so effective." The reporter took the answer and thanked him for the interview as Sora headed back to the locker room. He looked at team and sighed.
"Well guys we're 2-0. We did good because we played team defense but don't forget this is the second game of the season so let's not get cocky. We go to Boston this weekend for the New England invitational this weekend. Until then, let's get some shuteye. Good Night." The team cheered then did a huddle then chanted.
"WHO ARE WE?" Patrick yelled.
"WE ARE KENTUCKY!" The team responded.
And that's the first basketball chapter of the fic. Don't worry, they're will be more but for now, I'm gonna focus on the relationships between Sora and Kairi and the family. I'll also introduce Roxas in the next chapter and Ventus in the later chapter. Until then see ya.