Chapter 017: If I still question myself, then in this very moment, I will stop right here
After returning to the court from the timeout, it was Iwai's offense, and Hoshiumi Mì was still the primary defender on Mitsubayashi Koji.
To be honest, if their stamina reserves were equal, with the current 'Future Preview' having ended, it would have been more appropriate to switch Captain Imamatsu Shinshu back onto him. But Hoshiumi felt that he had only entered the game in the third quarter. Compared to Imamatsu Shinshu who had played the full first three quarters, whether for pride or practical reasons, Hoshiumi Mì believed he should see the matchup through to the end in these final minutes.
Offense.
It relies more on talent.
But defense.
Sometimes, with sheer will, even if one's talent is mediocre, one can erupt with astonishing energy in certain moments, as long as one gives it their all.
For example, now...
When Mitsubayashi Koji received the ball, Hoshiumi Mì desperately fronted him, constantly using his body to push against him. Although he was at a physical disadvantage, constantly applying this pressure on Mitsubayashi Koji could also drain his opponent's stamina. Once his opponent had the ball, Hoshiumi Mì frantically harassed every dribble. In short, he made it uncomfortable for his opponent to catch and unpleasant to dribble!
If catching and dribbling are both disrupted, one's rhythm is bound to be thrown off. Once the rhythm is off, shooting accuracy will drop.
As expected.
In the following minutes, Mitsubayashi Koji was only 1 for 4 on mid-range shots. As for Tsugawa Tomoki, he was also being hounded by Imamatsu Shinshu, going 1 for 3. On Kamomedai's side, without the boost from 'Dance of the Spider's Legs', Hoshiumi Mì could only entangle himself with Mitsubayashi Koji in a battle of stamina, and his shooting wasn't as accurate as before.
But even so, he was 2 for 4 from three-point range during this period.
Under this back-and-forth, Kamomedai had taken a 5-point lead. Who would have thought that the Iwai shooters would suddenly have a small outburst, hitting consecutive threes. Even Tsugawa Tomoki hit a three.
In the end.
The suspense of victory and defeat was dragged to the final 25 seconds of the game.
117 to 118!
Iwai led by 1 point.
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Kamomedai's ball.
At this time, on the benches of both teams, hearts were pounding. The Kamomedai students in their blue and white school uniforms all held their breath, their eyes wide as they stared at the court.
The girls clasped their hands to their chests, bowing their heads in silent prayer, their gazes fixed on Hoshiumi Mì on the court.
Because even if they didn't understand basketball and were just there to watch the handsome guys, they knew... the next possession was crucial.
The boys, on the other hand, were constantly analyzing in their minds.
Imamatsu Shinshu was the team captain and also one of the few offensive engines on this defensive-minded Kamomedai team. Logically, it would be natural for him to take the shot. Iwai was only leading by 1 point, which meant they only needed a two-pointer. It would be quite appropriate for Imamatsu Shinshu to drive and take a shot from a closer position.
But Hoshiumi Mì's three-point shooting had been quite accurate in this game, so giving it to him didn't seem wrong either.
However... between Imamatsu Shinshu, who was in his third year of competition, and Hoshiumi Mì, who had only played two practice matches and hadn't even played the full duration of either, the experience gap between the two had to be considered.
Furthermore... the opponent's defensive strategy.
Imamatsu Shinshu's offensive efficiency had been quite low when facing Tsugawa Tomoki in this game.
The opponent's targeted defense had to be taken into account.
"The next possession is extremely important. Who will they give it to?"
"I'm leaning towards Hoshiumi Mì, but there's a problem. Hoshiumi has too little game experience. Will he be nervous? Can he withstand the psychological pressure and perform to his full potential? That's the question."
The atmosphere in the arena was heavy.
On the Kamomedai bench.
Araki Daisuke was constantly wiping sweat with a towel.
Ouboki Taro was chugging water.
It was hard to tell if Imamatsu Shinshu was nervous; he was just as quiet as ever.
But there was one person who truly didn't feel nervous.
Hoshiumi Mì.
Not only was he not nervous, but his eyes were burning as he stared at the court. The stamina drain from constantly battling with Mitsubayashi Koji, driven by the excitement churning within him, had swept away all feelings of fatigue. He was looking forward to the crucial shot to come and had no doubts about himself.
Perhaps he would have doubted himself before he had the corresponding 'talent'. But now, the so-called 'talent', acquired in another way through the 'Effort and Sweat System', if he were to doubt himself like that, then at that moment, he would also stop here.
Haaah...
Hoshiumi Mì took a deep breath.
The clear thought in his mind swept away some of the inner turmoil caused by his excitement.
A moment later, he looked up at the scoreboard on the long side.
Hoshiumi Mì: "..."
I... will absolutely not stop here.
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Coach Nakama Sho also caught Hoshiumi Mì's excitement and was a little surprised. He hadn't seen many players who got more excited the more tense and intense the situation became. Such players often performed even better in crucial moments. He subconsciously asked, "Hoshiumi, I'll give you the last shot, how about it?"
Hearing this, all the Kamomedai players turned to look at Hoshiumi Mì.
Indeed.
Hoshiumi was strong.
Unbelievably strong.
But for such a crucial shot, to give it to Hoshiumi who had only played two practice matches, could he handle it? You had to know, the greater the pressure, the more likely a player's movements were to be affected. Under heavy pressure, could his three-point shooting be as consistent as ever?
To be honest, the third-year players present, if they put themselves in that role, didn't know if they would dare to take the shot in a crucial moment.
However... when Hoshiumi Mì heard the question, he didn't hesitate for even a second. On the contrary, he said eagerly:
"Leave it to me."
The bench fell silent for a moment because of Hoshiumi's pressure-free answer. On the other side, Imamatsu Shinshu, in a moment that no one noticed, quietly breathed a sigh of relief. After a moment of silence, he spoke up: "Hoshiumi, wait for it and lie in wait outside the three-point line in the left corner. I'll drive into the paint. Iwai will definitely think I won't pass the crucial shot to you and will surround me in the paint. At that time, I will definitely get the ball to you."
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