Shohoku High, Basketball gym
"Ah!!"
"Ayako, I want to play too!"
Sakuragi, left behind on the sidelines, pouted pitifully, looking up at Ayako with pleading eyes.
"Not yet, Sakuragi. You need to practice the basics first. This game will be a good opportunity for you to observe, it'll help you too." Ayako said, covering her face with one hand. She looked exasperated but didn't want to crush his spirit, so she offered the reassurance instead.
Adjusting her brow slightly, she turned her eyes toward the court. As the team manager, she knew every player's stats and abilities in detail.
Tatsuhiko appeared, at first glance, just like a typical rookie. His dribbling earlier had shown some skill, but his overall strength was still limited. Then there was Rukawa, who could singlehandedly decide the outcome of this game. The other first-years? Ayako hoped they would at least hold their own.
With Akagi's assignments settled, the teams were ready.
For the upperclassmen, with fewer players, nearly everyone would play:
Center: Akagi Takenori (Captain)
Small Forward: Kogure Kiminobu (Vice-captain)
Point guard: Yasuda Yasuharu
Shooting guard: Shiozaki Tetsushi
Power forward: Kakuta Satoru
For the first-years, besides the complete novice Sakuragi Hanamichi, the lineup included:
Tatsuhiko Shouya
Rukawa Kaede
Kawata Toki
Sasaoka Satoro
Ishii Kentarou
Once on the court, Shouya quickly scanned the players' stats.
[Rukawa Kaede]
Height: 187 cm (6' 2")
Weight: 75 kg (165 lbs)
Stamina: B-
Speed: A-
Strength: B+
Jump: A-
Shouya noted that aside from stamina, Rukawa's physical abilities were similar to Sakuragi's. He truly was a rare talent, but stamina would be an issue—if it were as low as Sakuragi's, the match against Kainan might not have been winnable.
[Kogure Kiminobu]
Height: 178 cm (5' 10")
Weight: 63 kg (138 lbs)
Stamina: C-
Speed: D+
Strength: D+
Jump: D+
No highlights whatsoever. After playing basketball for years, Kogure still had such low stats. It wasn't hard to see why Shohoku had always been eliminated early before Sakuragi and the others arrived. Shouya couldn't help but feel pity for Akagi.
As for the other upperclassmen, Shouya didn't even bother scanning them. If even the vice-captain was like this, the rest couldn't be much better.
Once everyone was in position, Akagi bowed deeply to Coach Anzai before surveying the first-years. He then assigned defensive matchups with a serious expression:
"I'll guard Rukawa. Kogure, you cover Tatsuhiko. Yasuda, guard Kawata. Kakuta, take Sasaoka. Shiozaki, Ishii is yours."
Some of the upperclassmen frowned. "Are we really taking this seriously for just first-years?"
"Yeah, and Tatsuhiko just returned—aren't we overdoing it?"
Akagi immediately silenced them. "Enough! Don't underestimate Rukawa. He was the ace in junior high and carries the Rookie King title. Don't be foolish…"
Hearing this, Kogure smiled warmly. "Our setup isn't random. First, we have few upperclassmen, so the freshmen must always be ready to step in. Second, today's practice is to gauge the freshmen's strength, so we can plan targeted training."
"Exactly," Akagi agreed, punching lightly on the heads of the murmuring upperclassmen. "Listen to Kogure."
The scolding worked; any doubts or dismissive attitudes faded. Everyone prepared to focus seriously.
On the sidelines, besides Rukawa and Shouya, the other freshmen—Kawata, Sasaoka, and Ishii looked tense, sweat already forming even before the game began. The upperclassmen's presence was intimidating.
Ayako cheered from the side, "Freshmen, give it your best! Go for it!"
Then she blew the whistle. "The match begins!"
The ball was tossed into the air by second-year Tanaka. Rukawa and Akagi jumped almost simultaneously, both aiming to seize control of the first ball.
All eyes followed the ball, tension surging through the gym.
At the final moment before Akagi could touch it—
Smack!
Rukawa's hand slammed onto the ball, snatching possession midair.
The onlookers gasped. "Rukawa jumped higher than Akagi!"
Akagi's eyes widened as he stared at the boy who rose half a head above him. This kid wasn't simple at all.
"Focus on defense!!" As soon as Rukawa secured the ball, Akagi shouted, and Shouya readied himself, catching the ball steadily.
"Not bad, you actually gained control."
"Looks like this year's freshmen have some skill. Let's see what you've got."
Kogure immediately stepped in, blocking Shouya politely. "Senpai, you'd better watch closely."
Shouya bounced the ball with his right hand, smiling confidently at the older player guarding him.