The obstreperousness of the crowd grew with every passing moment as they cheered the two teams on. The heat of the game was rising as the countdown on the great digital clock reached the fourth-last minute. The spectators were on their feet in order to get a better view of the legendary basketball game taking place below.
“Pass the ball here, Koshino!” called out Captain Akira Sendoh to his vice-captain, who did as told.
Sendoh’s eyebrows were furrowed with concentration - the determination to claim his rightful position as the MVP of that series. Kainan was barely an opponent anymore, now that Maki had quit the team. Thinking so, Sendoh chuckled to himself, racing past a couple of amateurs whom Sendoh did not think worthy to be called his opponents.
And with a jump that commanded attention by itself, Sendoh scored a reverberating slam dunk, winning against Kainan, 67 to 61.
The Ryonan team roared in exultance, and its members raced toward Sendoh like a stampede to hug him.
“We did it! We actually beat the Kainan!” said Koshino.
“It was nothing,” Sendoh said modestly. “Piece o’ cake!”
It was incredible how one man’s presence made such a difference in the Kainan team. Maki had been the solitary supporting pillar. With him gone, Kainan and it’s seventeen-year winning streak had crumbled to dust.
“Great game,” said Captain Soichiro Jin cordially, shaking Sendoh’s hand during lineup. “I really enjoyed myself out here.”
“Likewise,” Sendoh replied, smiling, not his characteristic debonair smile, but a deep, warm smile. Jin had been a gentleman to the end. Even in loss he had his honor.
And so the Ryonan team departed. Coach Taoka, upon hearing the news, text-messaged his longtime rival, Coach Takato of Kainan: “In your face!” He proceeded to arrange a lavish lunch for the victorious team - his team.
“You boys have made me proud today!” Coach Taoka announced to the team back at Ryonan, and together they chanted ‘hip-hip hooray!’, rejoicing their victory, and drinking (coke) to Sendoh’s long life and good luck.
“I have an announcement to make,” said Sendoh once the boisterousness of the Ryonan team had died down a little. He held up his MVP trophy with pride, showing everyone his achievement. “This is the fruit of our hard work,” he said. “My first MVP trophy!”
The Ryonan team clapped and cheered loudly. “Go, Sendoh!” “Sendoh, you’re the man!” - such was heard occasionally.
“But my friends,” Sendoh went on, “this is also my last MVP trophy.”
The team was confused, and Coach Taoka sighed despondently.
“I am quitting basketball.”
“Pass the ball here, Koshino!” called out Captain Akira Sendoh to his vice-captain, who did as told.
Sendoh’s eyebrows were furrowed with concentration - the determination to claim his rightful position as the MVP of that series. Kainan was barely an opponent anymore, now that Maki had quit the team. Thinking so, Sendoh chuckled to himself, racing past a couple of amateurs whom Sendoh did not think worthy to be called his opponents.
And with a jump that commanded attention by itself, Sendoh scored a reverberating slam dunk, winning against Kainan, 67 to 61.
The Ryonan team roared in exultance, and its members raced toward Sendoh like a stampede to hug him.
“We did it! We actually beat the Kainan!” said Koshino.
“It was nothing,” Sendoh said modestly. “Piece o’ cake!”
It was incredible how one man’s presence made such a difference in the Kainan team. Maki had been the solitary supporting pillar. With him gone, Kainan and it’s seventeen-year winning streak had crumbled to dust.
“Great game,” said Captain Soichiro Jin cordially, shaking Sendoh’s hand during lineup. “I really enjoyed myself out here.”
“Likewise,” Sendoh replied, smiling, not his characteristic debonair smile, but a deep, warm smile. Jin had been a gentleman to the end. Even in loss he had his honor.
And so the Ryonan team departed. Coach Taoka, upon hearing the news, text-messaged his longtime rival, Coach Takato of Kainan: “In your face!” He proceeded to arrange a lavish lunch for the victorious team - his team.
“You boys have made me proud today!” Coach Taoka announced to the team back at Ryonan, and together they chanted ‘hip-hip hooray!’, rejoicing their victory, and drinking (coke) to Sendoh’s long life and good luck.
“I have an announcement to make,” said Sendoh once the boisterousness of the Ryonan team had died down a little. He held up his MVP trophy with pride, showing everyone his achievement. “This is the fruit of our hard work,” he said. “My first MVP trophy!”
The Ryonan team clapped and cheered loudly. “Go, Sendoh!” “Sendoh, you’re the man!” - such was heard occasionally.
“But my friends,” Sendoh went on, “this is also my last MVP trophy.”
The team was confused, and Coach Taoka sighed despondently.
“I am quitting basketball.”
0 comments :
Post a Comment