章 20: Chapter 20: First Half against North Carolina Tar Heels

March 22, 2003, Spokane Arena is the venue for the today's second round game of South Regional tournament's March Madness between Caltech Beavers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels.

With an attendance of 12,210 people in the arena, among them are Avril, Shery and Lindsay Lohan to give him moral support. The crowd is divided by brown Beavers and Carolina blue and white Tar Heels. Starting line-up for Beavers is point guard Wei Li, scoring guard Jayson Sy, small forward Matthew Della Torre, power forward Ryan Elmquist and center Traviss Haussler.

While for North Carolina Tar Heels, the starting line-up is point guard Jackie Manuel, scoring guard Raymond Felton, small forward Rashad McCants, power forward Marvin Williams and their center Sean May.

The official referees are Kipp Kissinger, Keith Kimble and John Higgings will be supervising tonight's game.

"Ding"

"Host, Defeat the North Carolina Tar Heels to advance to the Regional Semifinals round and will be rewarded one point for each point, rebound, steals, assist and block. Will the host accept this mission? Press "Yes" if you'll accept the mission or "No" to refuse the upcoming mission" the system said.

"I accept the mission" Jayson said while his hand press "yes" while preparing for the game and warm-up in the court.

"May the Goddess of Victory be in your favor, Host" the system wishing him good luck.

The players have entered the court; centers are ready on the circle for the jump ball and the chief referee Keith Kimble toss the ball in the air. The ball was won by Tar Heels' center Sean May and he pass it to Jackie Manuel.

"Hey monkey, Want some banana or maybe go back to forest" Jackie Manuel tried to trash talk Jayson.

Jayson is too lazy to respond in this kind of provocation and just focus on the defense. Jackie was in the right elbow, as he about to pass to the open McCants after his pick and roll with him in the arc but it was stolen by Jayson. He waited for his other teammates in the offense, he pass the ball to Matthew but miss a jumper.

Luckily Traviss got the offensive rebound, then pass to Jayson and use his "Long Range Shooting" for a long three in the left corner and hits hollow the basket with "Swish" sound.

Caltech was first to break into the scoring column, with 3-0 in the 19:12 time of the game. Tar Heels' Sean May grabbed the defensive rebound but turnover by Jackie Manuel. Beavers' Ryan Elmquist also turnover the ball so the Tar Heels run a fast break and got a lay-up from Raymond Felton so the score now is 3-2.

Tar Heels launch a five to nothing run and lead four points against Beavers. In 15:43, an official timeout was called so Beavers able to regroup and discuss some defensive adjustment.

Beavers got nothing good going in their offense, while the Tar Heels' Marvin Williams made a three point jumper which is assisted by Raymond Felton, Tar Heels' made a seven to nothing run and the lead is getting bigger. The current score is 14-3 and the time remaining in the first half is 12:44.

Beavers offensive drought come to an end as Wei Li grab the offensive rebound and he pass it to Jayson in the right corner. He use again "Long Range Shooting" skill, "Swishes" it hollows through the net and they made a six to two run. So they now only trailed by seven, the score becomes 16-9 and the remaining time in the game is 11:42.

Tar Heels' offensive onslaught wasn't contained by Beavers, as they made an eight to two run in the 9:24 mark of the game and the score is 24-11. Tar Heels' Will Johnson steals the ball from Beavers' Han Bin, and they run for a fast-break.

Jayson felt that he needs to step on both offense and defense as Tar Heels defense limits Matthew's touch on the ball. He simultaneously activates "Lion Heart, Speed Up, Emperor's Eyes and Shield of Aegis"

Jayson run like a hungry animal aiming on its prey as he chases Tar Heels' Will Johnson who was about to lay-up. The ball was release in Will Johnson's hand and about hit the backboard. Johnson felt a heavy atmosphere behind him, and then heard a thundering sound.

"Bang" and the backboard is violently shaking as Jayson hit it while using "Vice Claw" to grab ball with one hand.

He sprint back like an Olympic sprinter, he pass the half-court then jump-shot a three pointer while using his "Long Range Shot" skill.

"Swishes" sound echoed in the arena and the Beavers fans came back to life in that single field goal. Beavers still trailing by ten points, the score is 24-14 in the 8:46 mark on the game and the ball in the hands of Tar Heels' Raymond Felton

Jayson is defending Felton like a there's no tomorrow and use Emperor's Eye to predict the chance for a successful steal. Felton pass the ball to their center Sean May, this is what Jayson has been waiting for and he steal it cleanly with "Vice Claw".

He uses "Speed Up" to dash through the court; Jayson waited a little for Felton and launch a three-pointer. Tar Heels' Felton tried block the shot but failed to reach ball and hit Jayson's shooting arm. The ball goes through the basket and the referee whistled.

"Basket counted plus one free-throw and foul on Tar Heels no. two" referee Keith Kimble said and sign to the official's table.

He completed the three-point play, then slowly retreated back and his teammates high-five with him. Tar Heels' David Noel got open for a lay-up, as he got the ball release in his for a hook shot to avoid Beavers' Daniel defense. Jayson chase ball the for a another block, so he run through the screens of Tar Heels and jump high before the ball fall in the basket.

He uses "Vice Claw" to grab it with one hand and "Bang" the ball was like glued in his hand. He signals for a fast break, Matthew quickly run on the other end and Jayson use his "Full Court Pass" as Matthew score a Lay-up. Another offense wave from Beavers as Jayson assisted Christian for a lay-up and they got another defensive stop. Jayson dashes through the court and he shoot a three-point jumper in the right corner.

"Swishes" hollow in the basket; Beavers made a twelve to nothing run and finally got the lead by two points so now the score is 24-26 in the 7:19 mark of the first half.

Tar Heels' Sean May made a dunk, assisted by Raymond Felton while Beavers answer back with the same two-handed dunk by Matthew from Jayson assist a lob pass to him. Beavers' Wei Li fouled Marvin Williams after he attempts to shoot two-point jumper as he took advantage the mismatch.

He was two for two from the penalty line; Jayson shot a three-point jumper in the left corner with an assist from Matthew and "Swishes" through the basket. The score is 26-29 leading Beavers by three and Jayson leading the team on both end of the court.

Beavers' Traviss block the lay-up of Rashad McCants, they fight for the rebound and it eventually pick-up by Jayson who run quickly to the front court. He waited for Tar Heels' Felton to commit mistake while he's taking a three-point jumper forty-five degrees from the left of the arc.

"Prrt" referee Keith Kimble blown his whistle, he signal and said: "Basket counted plus one free-throw and foul on Tar Heels no. two"

Jayson completed his second four-point play and the score is 26-32 in the 4:05 mark of the game. Beavers Matt Haryasz fouled Raymond Felton as he drive through the basket, Felton is perfect from the free-throw line and the score is 28-32 with three minutes and forty-five remaining in the first half.

Wei Li passes the ball after passing the half-court; Jayson tried to crossover Felton twice and then uses "Emperor Eyes" to make a breakthrough the defense. he activates "Uncle Breaker" as he constantly made a series of sharp dribble moves, but before Felton stumbles to the ground, he dribble the ball between Felton's legs and then made a penetration as Felton "Baam" he loses his balance and fall to the ground.

While Jayson grab the ball using "Vice Claw", he drive through the right short corner but he got double-team by Tar Heels Sean May and Jackie Manuel in the restricted area. Jayson continued to approach the low post, he uses his monster 135 cm. run-up bounce to tower his defenders and "Bang" he smashes the ball into basket.

"Prrt, basket counted and one free-throw, Foul on Tar Heels no. forty-two" referee Kipp Kissinger signal and said to the officials table.

The score is Tar Heels 28-35 Beavers, the remaining time is two minutes and Twenty-five seconds in the game and Tar Heels' Marvin Williams made a two-point jumper. Beavers counter with Wei Li's scored a lay-up via assist from Jayson who drive through the basket and drop pass to the cutting Wei Li with help of Traviss screen.

North Carolina's Sean May got the defensive rebound; he passes the ball to Jackie Manual and gives the ball to Marvin Williams in the right wing. Marvin Williams dribbles twice then made a step back three. Jayson together with Matthew, they double-team Williams and he uses "Vice Claw to grab the ball in the air for the block.

As soon as Jayson landed, he dash to the front court with five seconds remaining in the first half. He uses "Speed Up and Long Range Shooting" skill to shoot a three-point jumper after he got through the defense and then he release ball the after he felt a contact from Felton in the last second.

"Swishes" the Beavers bench and fans on the arena irrupted and the buzzer rang throughout the arena.

"Prrt, Basket counted plus one free-throw and foul on no. two" referee Kipp Kissinger signal and said to the officials table.

Jayson completed the four-point play, the Tar Heels is 30-40 for Beavers and the rest proceed to their dug-out and the game will resume after twenty minutes of break.