Chapter 18: In that case... the moment 'talent' blossoms, is this very moment
Returning to the court, Kamomedai inbounded the ball.
Kouchi Masaya brought the ball past half-court.
At this moment, Kamomedai was only down by 1 point, so they could choose to go for a two or a three.
On the court.
Hoshiumi Mì, as instructed by Imamatsu Shinshu, stayed in the corner. The Iwai coach, seeing this, felt a large weight lift from his heart, thinking that Nakama Sho hadn't entrusted the crucial shot to a new second-year starter after all. Or perhaps, this Kamomedai second-year couldn't handle the psychological pressure and didn't dare to shoot, which was why he wasn't moving to get open.
With this thought, he gestured to Mitsubayashi Koji, who was guarding Hoshiumi Mì on the sideline: 'Pay attention to helping in the paint!'
In this game, Imamatsu Shinshu's shooting had been off when facing Tsugawa. In the Iwai coach's eyes, Imamatsu Shinshu's only solution was to force his way into the paint with his physicality.
Mitsubayashi Koji nodded. Having come this far in the game, he had to win, no matter what.
At this time.
Tsugawa Tomoki was guarding Imamatsu Shinshu.
After a crossover, Imamatsu Shinshu gained half a step on Tsugawa Tomoki. He then leaned in with his body and forcefully ground his way towards the paint!
Mitsubayashi Koji saw his chance and lunged to help. In the instant he pounced towards Imamatsu, Imamatsu Shinshu flicked his wrist, and a precise pass suddenly flew over his shoulder towards Hoshiumi Mì in the corner!
Not good!
Mitsubayashi Koji's heart sank.
He hurriedly turned and lunged towards Hoshiumi Mì again.
Too late!
When Hoshiumi Mì caught the ball, Mitsubayashi Koji was a good two meters away.
Catch and shoot!
Without a shred of hesitation!
The ball flew from Hoshiumi Mì's hands, tracing a high arc in the air, straight for the basket!
The eyes of the entire arena were instantly drawn to that orange blur!
The Iwai players' hearts tightened. Hoshiumi Mì's three-pointer, at such a crucial moment, an open shot, they couldn't help but have their hearts in their throats!
Finally... under the breathless gaze of the entire arena, the ball finally descended towards the top of the basket.
Clang~!
Clank~!
The ball swirled around the rim almost twice before bouncing high up!
"Ah...!"
The entire audience let out a sound of regret. The Iwai players and coach all breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, what a stroke of luck, that was close!
That number 12, unable to handle the pressure at the crucial moment, had missed the most critical shot of the game!
"What a shame!"
"Ah!"
"That was so close!"
The audience was lamenting the miss, but in front of the Kamomedai bench, Coach Nakama Sho's clenched fist did not loosen, because after that shot bounced off the rim, the game wasn't over.
..................................................................................
On the court.
The ball bounced high. The Iwai players instantly crowded the paint, ready to secure the rebound. On Kamomedai's side, apart from Imamatsu Shinshu, the others had all spread out and couldn't get there in time to crash the boards.
Quickly.
The rebound was secured by the Iwai power forward.
He immediately dribbled out to avoid being caught by Kamomedai's intentional foul strategy. But before he could dribble, a pair of hands suddenly reached in from the side, grabbed the ball, and forcefully ripped it away!
A clean strip!
He ripped the ball right out of his opponent's arms!
It was none other than Kamomedai's power forward, Araki Daisuke, who had been a non-factor for the entire game!
The situation was instantly reversed!
Four Iwai players swarmed him like hungry tigers!
Trapped in the middle, Araki Daisuke hugged the ball tightly. The corner of his eye caught a glimpse of that conspicuous white figure in the left corner... Hoshiumi Mì was there!
No time to think. He took a large leap towards the baseline.
He managed to tear open a sliver of a passing lane!
While in mid-air, he swung his arm forcefully, throwing the ball towards Hoshiumi Mì!
When the audience saw Araki Daisuke grab the ball, they had just started to shout in excitement. Then, the next second, they saw Araki being swarmed, and their shouts turned to anxiety. In the blink of an eye, after Araki Daisuke jumped and passed the ball, the volume of their voices suddenly soared like a rollercoaster. The shift in their emotions was fully displayed in their cheers!
At this time, Imamatsu Shinshu was open on the perimeter. Passing to him to reset the offense would have been enough time...
But... the target of the pass...?
"Hoshiumi!"
"He passed it to Hoshiumi Mì!"
"He's got the ball!"
"He's open!"
"Just watching is so nerve-wracking. Hoshiumi was so close just now, he missed the three. This ball is too much pressure for him!"
However, Hoshiumi Mì had no such distracting thoughts in his mind!
The moment he grasped the ball...
The feeling... was clearly transmitted!
If 'Try Not to Miss' was considered a 'talent' given by the system.
Then... this was the moment the 'talent' bloomed!
At this moment!
Bend the knees!
Jump!
Flick the wrist!
Release!!!
The entire sequence was as smooth as flowing water!
At this time, Tsugawa Tomoki was closing out. Compared to Mitsubayashi Koji before, his closing speed was much faster. His fingertips reached towards Hoshiumi Mì's eyes. Although in the end, he could only watch as the ball flew past his fingertips, he was certain that he had blocked Hoshiumi Mì's line of sight!
The hearts of the entire audience were in their throats once again!
On the sideline, the Kamomedai basketball players all shouted:
"Go in!!"
The basketball flew silently through the air. The entire Kamomedai gym was dead silent!
Everyone held their breath, their gazes focused on the trajectory of the basketball in the air. Their eyes followed the ball as it flew, their heads turning in unison!
At a certain moment.
Swish!
With a crisp sound!
A white wave erupted from the center of the net!
Three-pointer is good!!!
"Whaaaaa...!!"
"Uwaaaaaah!!!!!!"
The Kamomedai gym erupted in the most thrilling cheer of the day!
"Hoshiumi... Mì!!!"
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