Chapter 24:
Crazy life at School, but Maybe…
Our starting lineup is looking fierce: Subramaniam at center, Adam Hamil as shooting guard, Wong as forward, James as power forward, and Devinson as point guard. Yon, their ace, is surprisingly on the bench, and their team is packed with young players.
Subramaniam's towering presence gives us an instant advantage, and the game is going our way – 45:23, and they're struggling to keep up. But I notice that every time they counterattack, our team struggles to recover, especially on the rebounds.
Devinson is leading the charge, shouting instructions and keeping our team on track. By the end of the first quarter, we're cruising with a comfortable 75:35 lead. Our team looks fresh, but I'm not taking any chances – I make some strategic substitutions.
Jackson takes over as point guard, Adam Hamil moves to shooting guard, and Subramaniam stays at center, while Wong and James keep their positions. But everything changes when Yon enters the game.
He bursts onto the court like a wild card, and the momentum shifts instantly. The scoreboard flips to 78:80, and suddenly we're on the back foot. The Marlins' speed is overwhelming our young team, and only Jackson can keep up. But it's not enough.
Yon jumps up and slams down a dunk, the crowd erupting with a deafening "BOOM!!!!" He lands, points at me, and flashes a cocky grin. The commentator's voice booms through the speakers, "WHOA!!!! THE MARLINS ACE IS POINTING AT DAGGERS ACE!!!! ITS A SHOWDOWN!!!!”
This guy's going to test us, and our remaining team members aren't taking it lying down. Coach David tries to calm us down, "Easy everyone... let it flow…"
After the second half, we huddle up for a team meeting. Wong looks at me with a mix of awe and fear, "Damn man, they're not human! How do they manage to come back like it's a picnic?”
James chimes in, "Captain, that was something..." Jackson just grins, "They're asking for it, eh?”
Coach David's voice cuts through the chatter, "Get ready, looks like they're waiting for us to respond…"
We regroup, adjust our strategy, and get ready to take on the Marlins head-on.
Our senior team's lineup is set: Jackson at point guard, Thiru and Fredickson as forwards, Frankie at center, and I'm taking the shooting guard position. I'm giving Devinson a well-deserved rest, knowing he's crucial for the next set.
Jackson passes the ball to Frankie, and he slams down a dunk, the crowd erupting with a chant: "Gorilla dunk!!!!" The scoreboard reads 80:82, with us in possession.
Yon takes a shot, but I block it with ease, passing the ball to Jackson, who then finds Thiru for a dunk. The scoreboard flips to 82:82, and the crowd goes wild: "Instant comeback!!!! What a game!!!”
Our strategy is working – we're using our physical and height advantage to overpower their speed and counterattacks. We're not giving them any space to breathe.
Jackson passes the ball to me, and Yon goes one-on-one with me, grinning like a madman. "About time, bro... can't wait to see you in action.”
The commentator's voice booms through the speakers: "WHOA!!!! TWO ACES GOING TOE TO TOE!!!!”
I scan the court, looking for an opening. As a shooting guard, it's my job to keep them guessing. "Well then, how about this?" I say, jumping back and launching a three-pointer like a rocket. Yon can't believe it.
Arie and the others are grinning from ear to ear, enjoying the show. This is turning out to be an epic battle.
The scoreboard flips to 85:82, with us in possession. The commentator's voice is like a firecracker: "WHOA!!! WHERE THE HECK DID THAT COME FROM!!!? IT'S LIKE A BALLISTIC MISSILE!!!!”
Yon's eyes widen in surprise, and he turns to me with a mix of shock and admiration. "I know Arie warned me about it, but never expected it to be like that?"
I flash him a confident smile. "Well, all the best..."
Yon maintains his pace, and his team seems to be in perfect sync with him. Their speed is like a whirlwind – we can't take our eyes off them for a split second, or they'll be gone like lightning.
We take a shot, but our taller forwards can't compensate for Yon's lightning-fast reflexes. He swoops in, takes the rebound, and launches a shot. The scoreboard flips to 85:84, with the Marlins in possession.
The crowd is on the edge of their seats, sensing the intensity of the game. This is turning out to be a real showdown between two ace players.
The Marlins team may be shorter than us, but they're a whirlwind of speed and agility. Yon, at 5'8", is roughly my height, but his team's precision passing is a joy to watch – and a challenge to defend. I'm glad I gave Devinson a rest until the last quarter; his point guard skills will be crucial in this intense matchup.
One thing's for sure: Yon hasn't shown his true self yet. I've seen him in action against Arie in a one-on-one, and I know he's got some tricks up his sleeve.
I block Yon's path, and we're one-on-one again. He's quick, but I'm keeping up with his movements. Suddenly, he makes a lightning-fast pass to his teammate, who sinks a shot. The scoreboard flips to 87:84, with the Marlins in possession.
The crowd is electric, and I'm focused on stopping the Marlins' momentum. I pass the ball to Jackson, but Yon is hot on his heels. I warn Jackson, "Watch it!!!! High pass!!!!" Jackson manages to pass the ball, but it fumbles, and I swoop in to grab it. I pass it to Frankie, who dribbles towards the basket.
Frankie is swarmed by three defenders, but he finds Thiru with a perfect pass. Thiru slams down a dunk, and the scoreboard flips to 87:86. Thiru and I high-five, grinning from ear to ear.
The game's heating up, and it's anyone's game. What's Yon got up his sleeve next?
Frankie grins at me, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "This is getting good – we're on their tail…"
I recall Arie and Zuan's warning before the game about the Marlins' secret strategy. "You know, in the last quarter, they unleash another level of energy and blast off with a quick counterattack," Arie explains. "We lost the game fast, and we couldn't recover in time.”
Zuan chimes in, his voice low and serious. "Watch out for any sign that Yon is taking over – he's observing your every move. Don't give him a chance to breathe. His team's really good at playing under pressure…"
I realize that my role as shooting guard is crucial now – it's not just about showing off my skills, but about taking the points. I signal to Jackson that I'll take the point, and this time, I'm not holding back.
Jackson nods, and Yon locks eyes with me, his gaze intense. One of the Marlins' team members takes the ball, but I swoop in and steal it, launching a shot. Two-pointer – my specialty. The ball goes in, and the crowd erupts.
The scoreboard flips to 87:88, with us in possession. The commentator's voice is like a firecracker: "WHOA, WHERE THE HECK DID THAT COME FROM? THE ACE IS ON FIRE!!!”
I flash Yon a confident smile. "Want to see what I'm good at…"
Frankie chimes in, his voice dripping with pride. "Want to know why he's our ace and captain of this team…"
Yon smiles, waving his hand in a "come on" gesture. I'm not holding back – I'm going all out. This match is going to make headlines – a teenage boy playing like an NBA pro.
The intensity is palpable, and the crowd is on the edge of their seats.
The game's intense, and the scoreline is a yawning gap between us and the Marlins – 89:135. We're leading, but at what cost? Team UMS, especially Tyrone, is watching me with interest, a knowing glint in his eye. Tyrone's smile sends a shiver down my spine – he's not just watching; he's plotting.
Yon suddenly shifts gears, his pace changing like a switch has been flipped. He targets Jackson, who's struggling to keep up. Jackson manages to pass the ball to me, and I take a three-pointer. The ball flies through the air, a perfect arc, and goes in. I fist-pump in triumph.
The scoreboard flips to 89:138, and the crowd erupts. But Slyvia's looking worried, signaling me to hold back. Mariam and Amin exchange anxious glances, their faces etched with concern. They're worried I'm going beyond what a teenage kid can handle. My adrenaline's pumping hard, fueled by the game's intensity. Yon's team is pushing it now, just like Zuan and Arie warned me about.
Two minutes in, and the score is already 134:138. Coach David calls a timeout, switching Jackson with Devinson, who's burning out from the intense pace I started. Coach David makes another strategic move, calling in Long Man to replace Fredickson – a defensive player to handle the Marlins' onslaught. He knows I'm going for the attack.
Devinson passes the ball to me, and I'm surprised – and excited – to see Yon and three other players forming a full block against me. One minute left in the game, and it's the last run.
The commentator's voice is electric: "WHOA!!!!!! IT'S ANOTHER SHOWDOWN, AND THIS TIME THE MARLINS AREN'T GETTING ANY CHANCES FOR THEM!!!”
I lock eyes with Yon, my mind racing with possibilities. I spot a tiny gap in the defense – a thread of opportunity. Let's see if Yon realizes it.
"One minute left in the game – the last run!" I look at the court, my eyes scanning for opportunities. Time seems to slow down as I weave through the defenders. I can hear the crowd cheering – Slyvia and Priscilla are on their feet, Siti's jumping up and down, and Hana and Maya are chanting my name.
The Marlins' defenders are glued to me, refusing to give me an inch. I dribble past them, my movements swift and precise. The clock's ticking down, and I know I have to make my move. What's Yon thinking? Is he ready for this?
I expertly manipulate the Marlins' defense, luring them into a trap. With a swift motion, I pass the ball to Devinson, who then finds Frankie. Frankie slams down a powerful dunk, rattling the board and sending shockwaves through the crowd.
The referee blows the whistle, and the scoreboard flashes: "134:140 DAGGERS BALL!!!!! DAGGERS WIN!!!!!" The game is over, and the Marlins look like they've been drained – Yon, gasping for air, still manages a smile.
The siren sounds, ending the game, and the crowd erupts: "DAGGERS WINS WHAT A GAME!!!!" We leap from the benches, a sea of jubilant faces. Yon and I lock eyes, and we shake hands, a nod of respect between us.
"Now I see why they really need you," Yon says, his voice laced with admiration. "Once you're in the game, it's a total different ball game for us…"
Meanwhile, the Kings have beaten the Wild Cats 130:120, a sweet redemption after their last game. The Wild Cats' loss is a historic one – for the first time, they've lost two games in this preseason match.
The atmosphere is electric, the excitement palpable. We're a team, and we've proven ourselves on the court. The Marlins may have pushed us to our limits, but we came out on top. What a game!
As we catch our breath, the Marlins school principal steps up to the microphone, a warm smile on her face. "Thank you all for participating in this match, which has brought us to the semi-finals – a decision we've already made…"
The announcement is swift and decisive, leaving us little time to process the information. "Team Saturn and Wild Cats will not qualify for the semi-final match. Only Team Marlins, UMS, Daggers, and Kings will qualify for the semi-finals.”
I glance up at the billboard, and my eyes widen as I see the match-ups for the semi-finals: UMS vs Daggers, and Marlins vs Kings. My heart skips a beat – 45 minutes to go, and I'll be facing off against UMS.
Arie, Zuan, and Geoffry gather around, grinning from ear to ear. "Nice game, at least our rival beating them is a sweet one," Arie says, chuckling. "At least Yon knows who Daggers are now.”
"Yeah, that was some intense game," Zuan adds, his brow furrowed in concern. "I worried if your team had any steam left…"
Their words are laced with a mix of admiration and rivalry, and I can sense the respect they have for our team's skills. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation, and I know that the semi-finals are going to be a thrilling ride.
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