Chapter 5: Battle of starting 5 and practice matches
Everyone was divided and had been already chosen as candidates for the team, while those who were not lucky would still be in the camp, but won't get the chance to join.
Kazuya and Gin was in one team. They practiced passing the ball back and forth between each other, along with the other members of their team. Gin was curious about Kazuya since yesterday, he was surprised he was the closest to Nash level, but both have different playstyle, Nash and Kazuya have this self centered ego, but Kazuya is more reliant on teammates, but that doesn't mean their skill is far off from each other, it's as if Kazuya is searching for something, while Nash is improving on.
And to quench his curiosity he began asking.
"Hey, kaz…? quick question, why do you play basketball?"
Kazuya looked up to match the ball boy. "2 reasons…one, because I love basketball. second…I have to beat someone…"
"Who..?"
"Tahiro Seiji.."
Everyone knew Tahiro, the young prodigy who became a japan candidate at age 9 and is now captain for the Japan national Jr team. What sort of goal did Kazuya have when he said Tahiro was the reason he played basketball?
When the whistle signaled the end of training, Kazuya went and sat his back to a wall, his gaze distant. He was deep in thought, his mind occupied by the idea of beating Tahiro Seiji. Was Tahiro perhaps a slow starter? Is that why he didn't become serious in the first minute? When Kazuya thought of it he had not many sources on how to beat him, he felt he lacked, what was his unique ability, what is that he can do that made him out to be Kazuya.
I just need to wait…patiently sharpening my claws…Kazuya came to find out his eyes can't see that far yet they just began to open up, "I can still feel it stings in my eyes…"
I'm really that weak..? He thought squeezing the bottle…no…it's just I have yet to taste the true power. Kazuya rose up and started the second phase of day 2 of the camp. Either way his focus is on the tournament in which everyone is participating in all 50 states of the US.
—
After practice Kazuya went back on the court last night they played, his copy eyes are beginning to shape, but still not there yet. but with both speed impulse and sage fingertips he is quickly gaining progression although risky for his body.
"Hey, Kazuya!" seriously training by yourself after having participated in training, have you ever heard of the word rest?"
"I know my limit, but this Shogun is sharpening his blade, getting a better head start, now shoo if you are going to bother me."
Cory let out a sight at his friend. It's like he found another piece that was missing since he played basketball, Kazuya was a magician, and Cory was the assistant that let him shine brighter when he played alone.
"hey, let me join, it's not fun if you're hogging all to yourself."
—
2 weeks…
"Everyone, we will play 5 practice matches against various teams, which you may play again in the upcoming summer tournament. Here is the first team…"
1.Point guard-Nash Jr (CPT)
2.shooting guard-Cory Wick
3.small forward-Miguel Diaz
4.power forward-Silver
5.center-Gin Sakata
"This team will start, but remember if something we don't like, we switch you out with Kazuya at any position, and team two we will overtake if we see something that disrupt the team flow or if the match is already decided, Kazuya is only meant to be a substitute if something we didn't expect would happen, but this is how it is, sorry for those who wish to play, this is not your time, but next time."
Cory felt Kazuya would be sad he didn't play, but Kazuya didn't mind…more opportunity next time, that means he will have no data on him against tough teams relying on data. "Let's go…" Cory followed, Kazuya felt the training he did was more effective here, than back in japan and he was closer to unlocking one of three. the perfect copy eye, it just needs more time.
Miguel walked up to Kazuya and hung over him like best buds. "Hey, want to check out the cafe over the Capriccio cafe. They got this cake I like really much…pretty please."
"go with cory, I promised today I would give a call e back home.."
"Then, maybe next time?"
"Sure…I guess."
"That's a promise, let's go Cory." Miguel was pleased that Kazuya hadn't minded him asking and was happy to have a promise for next time. He smiled and waved goodbye to Kazuya before walking off with Cory.
—
Kazuya went back to Robert's house where his girlfriend was over. she had brown light hair, freckles and beaver teeth, they were acting all chummy with each other. Why did Jervin assign me to his friend?
"I love you Stella…"
"I love myself too…" she paused and kissed him. "But, I also love you."
please don't flirt in the living room, or I'm reminded I was single back in my past life. and my spirit could never again enter the living room, meant for the living. "Oh Kaz? your back, mind grab me a beer…no wait two beer."
I didn't complain. I handed them the two beers and went to my room and started the video call.
—(video call:begin)
<mom- Hey, Kazuya! How are you? don't mind the crowd of people, they were excited and came over when they heard we were going to video chat you today, Momoi and Aomine are also here…say hello.
<Momoi and *Aomine*- Hey Kazu! we are doing great, we miss you thought…*Yeah, I miss playing with you, no one is good so I'm bored.* Aomine! That wasn't nice! *what…I'm just saying it's true.*
-You don't fail to surprise me…I miss you too, even mom bickering…
-<what did you say brat! just you wait when you come back I make sure to put you through heck!
Kazuya couldn't hold back his small chuckle. smiling at the people on the screen as he shared a moment together.
—(Video call:ended)
*
*
Practice match day 1 of 5 (2 days later)
"Okay everyone, let's see what you have to offer, let's show them why I picked out the most exceptional in the camp."
The game began with everyone exchanging greetings and good luck wishes before the ball was dropped to signal the start of the match. Gin stood as expected to take a drop as the opponent didn't have a tall player they simply won the toss. Gin tossed the ball to Nash who took the pass and started dribbling towards the goal. He quickly eluded the opponents and scored a goal within minutes, giving a good start to the match.
<2-0>
The opponent tried to fast break but Miguel was there to defend and the player stressed when he got the ball facing Miguel, the player tried to feint, but Miguel was not falling for that and had him in stalemate before Silver came stole the ball, as he stole the ball he passed it to Cory who was on the line and he made 2 pointer as the ball hit the board and then into the basket.
<4-0>
The match went over two to the last round with no problem, but some got replaced, Cory switched out with Sam, Gin out with Nate and Miguel with James. we won the game 94-16
—
Liam was happy with the team performance and wanted to try a different type of approach as we may need to shake things to not be too comfortable. Zeke in for Cory and James in for Miguel.
*
*Practice match 2 of 5 (4 days later)
*
Gin won the toss again with his height he was head taller than anyone with Silver falling short with a head and a half. The ball went to Zeke who dribbled past one and passed it to Gin who held the ball and sent it to Silver making a layup.
<2-0>
but this time the opponents were actually decent compared to the first team. They managed to dribble past both Zeke and Silver and Nash had mostly things in control until the ball managed to slip past him. The player received the pass and shot from the three-pointer.
<2-3>
James started the attack, his gloves had rough underskin but flat overskin to get the grip from the basketball fitting in his palm and fingers, He dodge the 3 people and set up a pass to Nash, who did a crossover and sent a blind pass to Gin who did an hook shot and managed to get the lead.
<4-3>
The match went on to the 3rd round in which Sam came out for Zeke and Miguel for Silver. The total score ended up being 84-62, congrats to the other team. but our team got the W.
*
practice match 3 of 5 (3 days later)
Kazya still wasn't picked to play, but Liam got him extra classes, to work on shooting from afar, different shots like free throw, a floater and a pull up which was a little more challenging The next thing he had to do was low dribbling, which was challenging since he did not get a good bounce back from my hand into contact with the ball and continued to bounce weakly.
After the low dribbling came passes in which Liam also joined. They continued with a high tempo and were consistent with accuracy. Kazuya sat on the bench nearly raring to go, he was itching for a match after sharpening and it was all in naught if he couldn't test his blade. it was more as decoration, than he decided it to be. He had worked hard on sharpening his blade, now he wanted to test how well it had turned out. If he couldn't use it in a match, all of his hard work would have been for nothing.
Then suddenly a presentation, an opportunity came. "Kazuya, you will play in the 3rd inning." Kazuya felt excited, and answered back. "Yes, coach."
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