Chapter 35: Hanamiya's trick
With Tsuna leading the charge, Teiko completely turned the game around.
Tsuna's masterful control of the game's pace was evident. He was a dribbling wizard, effortlessly navigating through Hibiya's defenses. Yet, he remained cool-headed, always choosing the highest percentage play over personal glory.
Whenever Tsuna found a crack in Hibiya's defense, he didn't hesitate to seize the opportunity and put points on the board for Teiko.
However, there were moments when Hibiya's players, growing increasingly desperate, swarmed Tsuna in an attempt to halt his progress. In response, Tsuna pulled off unexpected passes that left Hibiya's defense floundering.
By the end of the second quarter, Teiko had racked up more points than Hibiya, completely reversing the game's momentum.
As the referee's whistle signaled halftime, both teams retreated to their respective changing rooms for a breather.
In Hibiya's locker room, Imayoshi clenched his jaw, grappling with a tough decision. He'd heard rumors about Teiko's exceptionally talented freshmen, but facing one of them had proven even more challenging than expected.
"And there's more where that came from," he muttered, acknowledging that Teiko's rookies were formidable if they were as good as Tsuna.
Hibiya's coach said, "Indeed, their freshman is quite exceptional. What's your take on this, Imayoshi?"
After careful consideration, Imayoshi settled on a plan.
"I think it's best to go for a double-team for now."
His gaze then shifted to Hanamiya, who appeared disinterested in the game. Imayoshi's eyes sparkled with an idea.
"That sounds like the plan," Hibiya's coach agreed, showing his approval.
"Alright," he added, addressing Imayoshi, "you have the freedom to guide your team as you see fit."
Hibiya's coach exited the room, leaving Imayoshi to strategize. He turned his attention to Hanamiya, who was known for his cunning plays.
"Hanamiya, let's go for a double-team on that freshman with Takashima. You know what to do. We'll try it your way this time."
Hanamiya's face lit up with a sly grin upon hearing this. He signaled to his partner for the double-team and whispered something in his ear.
"Huh? Are you sure about that?" The teammate asked, surprised by Hanamiya's plan.
With a mischievous chuckle, Hanamiya reassured him, "Don't worry, his reactions are out of this world."
Meanwhile, in Teiko's locker room, Assistant Coach Sanada furrowed his brows in deep thought.
"...Let's dial back our tempo a bit. We need to conserve our stamina," Sanada advised after careful consideration.
While maintaining a fast pace could give them an immediate advantage regarding the score, Sanada believed preserving their energy would be a smarter long-term strategy. They were only halfway through the game, after all.
This was particularly crucial for Tsuna, who was the linchpin of their gameplay. Sanada recognized that maintaining the same frenetic tempo as the second quarter would drain Tsuna's stamina rapidly, which could harm their chances of winning.
Tsuna nodded in agreement. Although his stamina was still in good shape, he acknowledged that it wouldn't be prudent to sustain their current pace in the third quarter.
Given the cunning nature of their opponents, having ample energy to counter any surprises they might spring would be the wiser choice.
After a brief break, both teams returned to the court.
The game resumed, and Teiko wasted no time passing the ball to Tsuna.
Tsuna received the ball, his fingers gripping it firmly. He began to dribble it slowly, a calculated move to apply pressure to Hibiya's defense.
To his surprise, Tsuna noticed that Imayoshi, who had been marking him, had backed off. Instead, standing before him were two of Hibiya's players, one of them being Hanamiya, one of Hibiya's formidable players.
Tsuna muttered with a hint of uncertainty, "I'm not sure what you're planning. Whether it's two players or more, it won't make a difference..."
But just as Tsuna prepared to make his move, a Hibiya player abruptly closed in on him, charging with his body as if he intended to obstruct Tsuna's advance forcefully.
Tsuna's eyes widened in surprise. Luckily, his quick reflexes and agility came to his aid. He swiftly moved backward, dribbling the ball from his right hand to his left.
"What the fuck?"
Nijimura couldn't hold back a loud curse at the close call.
It was a narrow escape! If Tsuna hadn't reacted so swiftly, his opponent's reckless move might have seriously injured him.
At that moment, Hanamiya made his move, lunging forward in an attempt to steal the ball from Tsuna. His timing was uncanny.
"Heh, gotcha, freshman!"
Hanamiya taunted as he successfully swiped the ball from Tsuna, capitalizing on his momentary lapse. With the ball in his possession, Hanamiya sprinted ahead, aiming to score another point for his team.
"That was a low move, using it against us, Imayoshi," Nijimura growled, frustration etched on his face as he tried to free himself from Imayoshi's tight marking.
Imayoshi, never one to back down, shadowed Nijimura's every step with skillful precision.
"Would you forgive me if I said I'm sorry?" Imayoshi retorted, his tone laced with sarcasm.
Nijimura couldn't contain his anger. "You sly bastard!"
To be honest, even Imayoshi was taken aback. He typically relied on psychology rather than physical tactics, but there was no room for complaints now; they were in a tight spot.
"It's too late for that," Imayoshi muttered, glancing at Nijimura, who was racing back to provide support.
Indeed, everyone from Teiko, except Tsuna, had pushed deep into Hibiya's defensive territory. Their confidence in Tsuna was unwavering.
But Hibiya's double team had something else in mind, something rather underhanded.
Back on the 'crime scene,' as Hanamiya jumped up for a layup shot, Tsuna was already there, blocking his path.
"You're quick on your feet, huh?"
Hanamiya muttered, frustration in his voice. He adjusted his position slightly and passed the ball to his double-team partner.
With no one to obstruct him, the Hibiya player had a clear shot, and he made it count, earning his team two points.
"...Tsuna, are you okay?"
Nijimura hurried over and inquired about Tsuna's well-being. Tsuna nodded, but his usual smile had transformed into a deep frown if you looked closely.
It was an unexpected turn of events. Tsuna had always been aware of Hanamiya's dirty tactics, but experiencing them firsthand was different, especially during a middle school game.
Tsuna had assumed that with Imayoshi as the captain, Hanamiya would tone down his underhanded moves until he took the helm. It was a naivety he was now coming to regret.
"Don't worry, I'm alright..."
"It was quite crafty, I admit..." Tsuna shook his head, and his expression reverted to its usual nonchalant demeanor.
Besides Tsuna, a few of Teiko's players, like Nijimura, lingered in their defensive zone, ready to assist Tsuna in case Hanamiya tried another sly trick.
However, Hibiya's players, who were marking them closely, complicated the situation even further.
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