Teiko's basketball II: Second miracle

27: Koen: First quarter

Note:

The scores are of the form Teiko - Koen.

Chapter 27:

Koen: First quarter

Sora surveyed their opposition. Koen junior high was not too bad as far as build and physical ability went. But Sora knew that their real specialization was somewhere else. She took her place in the lineup before her mark, Number 5. Akira and Yukiji didn't seem to be too troubled. They were still chatting quietly in the lineup. Sora could see that they had no doubts that Teiko would ace the match. Unfortunately, Sora didn't share their 'good-teams-come-at-the-end' logic.

Tip off!

Chihaya took the ball. She passed to Eru. Eru got the ball in. So far so good.

3 - 0.

Number 7(c) took the ball. She passed to Number 4(pf). Akira went to block Number 4(pf) but before she could thoroughly block her, Number 4(pf) passed to Number 8(sg). She scored.

3 - 3.

Sora could vaguely understand what the issue was going to be.

Next, the ball was taken by Yukiji. But it was taken from her by number 12(sf). Number 12 tried to passed to number 4(pf). But Sora had predicted that. She took the ball and passed it back to Yukiji. Yukiji passed to Eru.

6 - 3.

Akira had the ball. But she was double teamed by number 12(sf) and number 4(pf). Number 4 passed to number 7(c). Number 7(c) was blocked by Chihaya. She quickly passed to number 4(pf) who had already made her way close to the hoop.

6 - 5.

Sora had the ball. She passed to Akira who was blocked by Number 4(pf). Akira went one on one and dribbled past her. But number 12(sf) had positioned herself and she took the ball when Akira passed her. She passed to number 8(sg).

6 - 8.

Yukiji got the ball. She passed it to Sora again. Sora was blocked by number 5(pg). But she used a drive and got through. She immediately passed to Akira. She managed it just in time, because number 8(sg) had come up behind her and tried to take her unawares. Akira passed to Yukiji. Yukiji scored.

8 - 8.

Yukiji got the ball. She passed to Akira. Akira faked a drive but passed to Eru.

11 - 8.

Number 4(pf) got the ball. She passed it to number 5(pg). Sora took it from number 5(pg) and passed it to Yukiji. Yukiji was blocked and passed to Akira. Akira was double teamed and she barely managed to pass it to Yukiji. Yukiji was blocked again, but Akira had broken past her double team. Yukiji passed and Akira scored.

13 - 8.

Number 5(pg) got the ball. She passed to number 7(c). Number 7(c) passed to number 12(sf). Number 12(sf) passed to number 8(sg). Eru took the ball from number 8(sg). But number 12 took it back and passed to number 8(sg) again.

13 - 11.

Number 12(sf) had the ball. She tried to pass to number 4(pf). Sora intercepted the pass and passed it to Akira. Akira passed to Chihaya.

15 - 11.

A couple of minutes later, the referee blew the whistle.

"The first quarter is over. Teiko leads. 20 - 14."

And that was how the first quarter ended.

***************

"Senpai, isn't this odd....."

"What is, kouhai?"

"I think we may be in trouble...."

Everyone looked at her incredulously.

"Us? Lose to them?" questioned Akira.

"Well yeah. That is what 'trouble' usually means...."

"Kouhai." said Chihaya. "You just saw them play. What about their skills or strategy scares you? I wanna know."

"I don't know, senpai. Coordination?"

Eru shook her head. "Relax, kouhai. You're getting upset for nothing."

Yukiji nodded too.

The referee blew the whistle again. Their break was over. The second quarter began.