The third day of the Winter Cup. Over the first and second days, every first-round game was completed. The fifty schools participating were reduced by nearly half, to thirty-two. All of the schools with a member of the generation of miracles had passed to the second round, excluding Touou.
The second round of games. Along with seeded schools, the remaining thirty-two schools gather on the court. On this day, in sixteen games, all the teams will clash. So, there they were, sitting on the bench as Riko started the game plan speech.
“Our opponents’ strength is a slow half court game. It’s not a good matchup for a fast-paced team like ours, so we’ll change our starting lineup and see how things go. Sasaki-kun! Izuki-kun! Teppei! Mitobe-kun! Tsuchida-kun! These five will be our starters!”
“Hai!”
“Oi,” Hyuuga glared at Kagami and Kuroko. “Don’t look so worried right before the game.”
“I’m not worried,” Kagami rebutted.
“Then let me hear you!”
“Hai!”
“The fifth winter cup match between Seirin high and Nakamiya South high will now begin!” The referee announced as the two teams stared each other down. “Bow!”
“Let’s have a good game!”
“Ya know,” Sasaki mused as he walked with Izuki for the tip off. “I’m surprised that chief put me in as shooting guard.”
“I was too, but I sort of get it,” Izuki said thoughtfully. “She didn’t want to chance up losing, and as much as it pains both her and Hyuuga, you’re probably the better shooter.”
“Awwww that’s so nice to hear!” The azurette playfully swooned, causing the point guard to sweatdrop. Soon enough, the game started. It went smoothly, even as Sasaki got double teamed, he still managed to get a bunch of threes.
The match ended with Seirin the victor, coming out at 108 to 82.
“We’re moving on to the quarter finals!” Izuki cheered as the team celebrated. Meanwhile, at the Yosen game, something unprecedented occurred. With a score of eighty-one to zero, they walked off the court the winners.
Sasaki was impressed, to say the least. “That was crazy,” Izuki mumbled after they finished watching the taped game.
“That was a basketball game, right?” Koganei questioned, not quite sure anymore.
“In a local tournament, that score wouldn’t be unreasonable in a game between a strong school and a weak one, but this has happened two games in a row at a national tournament.”
“It’s the complete opposite of Touou’s super aggressive style,” Kiyoshi added his thoughts. “They haven’t given up a single point two games in a row.”
“It’s not enough to call their overwhelming defense impregnable,” Riko spoke up. “This is the power of Yosen high.”
“Oh, by the way Sasaki-kun,” Kuroko turned to look at him. “Aomine finished teaching me to shoot yesterday.”
“Oh?” Sasaki’s eyebrows rose. “I’ll look forward to seeing it, then.”
GC Of Bros With No Hoes Except Naoto
No Game No Life: Good luck Sauce-man! We can’t watch since Hasegawa-san and Sassa-san wouldn’t let us take another day off to watch you.
Not A Smurf: They said if he makes it to the championship round, we can watch.
RBF LV100: Damn fr? SAUCE WIN FOR US MAN I WANT A DAY OFF!!
Hobo Gremlin: me too
RBF LV101: You’re so lazy
RBF LV100:
RBF LV101:
Yoting A Yeet: yeet
That’s what yo mom said: guys seriously, shut up.
Sauce-monster: Thank you!! I’ll do my best so you guys can get a break!
Hobo Gremlin: fuck yeah
The day came. It was time to face the Shield of Aegis. “Okay, is everyone ready?” Hyuuga asked as the team walked towards the court. “Let’s go!” The cheers of the crowd got louder and louder with each step they took until finally, the Seirin team was under the lights of the court.
“They’re coming out!”
“They’re the astounding rising stars making incredible progress in their second year!”
“Seirin High!”
“They’re here!” Even more cheers sounded at the sight of their opponents.
“With unprecedented shutouts in the second and third games!”
“It’s the Shield of Aegis, Yosen High!”
“I’m gonna go deaf one of these days, I just know it,” Sasaki twisted his pinkie in his ear with a sigh.
“I’m sure you know, but today’s opponent is at least as strong as Touou,” Riko started off the pregame instructional speech. “Half measures won’t work against them. We’ll go with our strongest starting lineup. Give them everything you have out of the gate!” The coach told them.
Kuroko, Kagami, Hyuuga, Kiyoshi and Sasaki sat in front of her, all ready and raring to go. “All right!”
“You’re a little stiff, Hyuuga,” Kiyoshi commented, “Let’s have some fun.”
“I know that!”
“I’m looking forward to seeing the results of your training,” Sasaki glanced between Kuroko and Kagami, who nodded.
“Of course.”
“I’m ready to go,” Kuroko agreed.
“I expect I can expect great things from you,” Izuki stated.
“Don’t distract us with lame jokes.”
“Damn, way to put him down,” Sasaki snickered, patting Izuki on the shoulder.
“Let’s go, Seirin!” Hyuuga yelled as everyone got in the hype circle. “Fight!”
“Yeah!”
“The winter cup second quarter final game between Seirin High and Yosen High will now begin! Bow!” The referee instructed, so the two teams did so.
“Let’s have a good game!” They echoed. Soon, everyone went into position for the tipoff.
“Haven’t seen you since our street ball game this summer,” Sasaki heard Murasakibara say to Kiyoshi in an almost menacing tone. “I didn’t forget you this time. Maybe I’ll start by crushing you, Kiyoshi Teppei.”
“I’m glad you remember me, but I’d like to see you try.”
“Don’t rev him up,” Sasaki butted in. “Now’s really not the time. We can’t afford to make him go full throttle from the get go.”
“Wise words, Haya-chin,” The purple giant smiled before it suddenly morphed into a smirk. “A bit too late, though. Don’t worry, I’ll crush you as gently as possible. But, just you. Everyone else, I'll grind into dust."
(See ya next week!)