Chapter 54: HACHIOJI ACADEMY VS MISONO GIRL'S JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH
As the bus took off from Hachioji Academy for a practice match , Haruko inhales and exhales and took deep breaths in an attempt to shake off her nervousness. Why are you acting like this is your first game? There's no need to be nervous about it Haruko said Kotone.
She has all the right to feel that way, I mean we are facing the school that ranked fourth last year, Misono girl's junior and senior high school said Sayaka.That's true however, let's not forget that she was trained by a hottie from Toshigawa on how to play. So I have no doubt in my mind that we'll win this game said Kotone with confidence.
As long as we all play like we do in practice and how coach Maeda directed us we will be alright said Suzume. You're right we should do just fine in this match said Sayaka. Aren't you suppose to be our captain, show a little backbone will ya said Kazue as she gave Haruko a weird look and sighed.
I wish you were here to watch this Tetsuo but that's very unlikely. So I'll just have to win and tell you the good news said Haruko to herself.
Alright ladies, go ahead and get ready, we are here said Coach Maeda .
Here goes nothing , just remember what Tetsuo taught you and you'll be fine said Haruko to herself as she took a deep breath. As the girls from Hachioji Academy were stretching the senior players realized that everyone in their first and second year were nervous.
Except for the rest of us and Kazue everyone seems to be on edge and the match hasn't even started yet said Sayaka. Well that was expected since most of our bench is made up of first and second years said Suzume. To be honest worrying about the game will do us no good, so we will have to lead by example said Kotone as she stretched.
Maeda-senpai, it's been so long said a woman that look as if she was in her mid twenties.Yamaoka right? I didn't know that you became a coach as well said Maeda surprised. Yes, I just recently started, the coach wanted to set his focus on the high school team so he needed some help, I am the assistant coach for the senior team and coach for the junior team said Coach Yamaoka.
Oh, I see. I hope that your girls came with their best because if they don't they won't stand a chance, our team is pretty strong said Coach Yamaoka with confidence. We'll see about that replied coach Maeda. Alright everyone, let's warm up said Haruko and everyone responded with yeah.
As the girls lined up to warm up Haruko passes the basketball to Suzume and Suzume dribbles to the rim and scores a layup. Next in line Sayaka passes the ball to Kotone who scores a layup. A first year passes the ball to Kazue who scores a layup.
As the bounces on the ground Kazue noticed a group of girl walking in. They are here, Misono junior high said Sayaka. that's Chizuru , their best player, the one with blonde hair be on the lookout for her everyone said Suzume. Yeah definitely, I heard that she was good enough to play on the high school team , she even trains with them said Sayaka. Come on everyone, don't mind them , let's just focus on our warmups said Haruko. So Chizuru, what do you think of Hachioji Academy? Asked a girl on the opposing team.
I did a little research on them and they dropped out in the second round last season so there's no need to worry , we got this game in the bag said Chizuru. Alright, let's start the game said Coach Yamaoka. So the starting lineup is me, Kotone , Suzume, Sayaka and Kazue , let's do this said Haruko to herself.
The whistle blew and the ball was thrown up. Kotone easily wins the tip off. Suzume catches the basketball but as soon as she turned Chizuru was already waiting for her in a defensive stance. Suzume signals a screen from Kotone who executed it well. Suzume then drives and passes the basketball to Kazue who shoots a layup that swishes. Nice one, Kazue said Sayaka.
A girl from Misono dribbles the basketball up court while another sets a screen for Chizuru. I have a bad feeling about this said Haruko to herself as the ball was passed to Chizuru. After receiving the ball Chizuru shoots a three pointer that swished. Nice shot Chizuru said her teammate as they high five. A three right of the bat? This girl is good , however we are not as hopeless as last year said Suzume as she looked at Haruko.
After Suzume dribbles the ball up court , she signaled Kotone to set a screen for Haruko who sprinted into an open area. Suzume then passes the basketball to Haruko. Remember how he shoot that shot , how authentic and smooth his rhythm was, shoot the ball exactly how he showed you said Haruko to herself as she shoots a three pointer that swishes.
Nice shot, Haruko said Sayaka as she gave her a big hug. Yeah , great work said Kotone. Well what do you know, they are better than I anticipated said Chizuru. Oh, not bad Maeda, your team is not bad at all said Coach Yamaoka. That's it girls , show them what we are made of said coach Maeda as she smiled.
On the next possession a Misono junior high player scores a layup. Immediately after Kotone scores a layup. Chizuru dribbles the ball up court and her teammate sets a screen for her. Utilizing the screen Chizuru shoots a three pointer that swishes. After beating her defender Suzume shoots a two pointer however Chizuru managed to block it. Chizuru then dribbles to the hoop and scored a layup.
After bringing up the ball once more Suzume was confronted by Chizuru who easily took the ball from her with minimal effort. Kazue runs back on defense in attempts to stop her. Chizuru goes up for a layup and Kazue attempted to block her from behind. After making illegal contact the whistle blew and the ball swishes.
Foul orange number five, basket counts , one free throw said Coach Yamaoka. I told you didn't I ?Hachioji Academy is nothing compared to us said Chizuru as she smiled. After everyone lined up Chizuru took her one free throw and it swished putting Hachioji behind by six points.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
-- Power
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