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墨書 Inktalez
Today is Tuesday, and it is also the day when Chengdong High School's team comes to challenge us. Teacher Qiu's match will start at 9:30 AM, and the school has allowed all students to go to the gym during self-study periods to watch the game, which reflects the school's emphasis on basketball. Teacher Qiu let us arrive at the gym an hour early to warm up. Since exams are approaching, the teacher isn't teaching new lessons, mostly focusing on reviews, so after the first class, A Fei and I asked for leave to go to the gym. When we arrived, everyone was already warming up. Zhongqi Senior walked over and said, "You guys are here! Look, that's North City High School's team." Following Zhongqi Senior's point direction, we saw a group of unfamiliar students warming up on the other side of the court. "They are North City High School..." I looked at that group of strangers and said, "That's right, they came early this morning to familiarize themselves with the venue. Don't be nervous; at least we have home-court advantage." Bing Ge also came over and said, "They have quite a few tall players in their inside line." A Fei replied, "Yeah, their inside height has improved a lot compared to last time." Teacher Qiu approached us and said, "The game is about to start; everyone come over so we can discuss tactics." The opposing coach said to his players, "Let's discuss as well; everyone has warmed up enough." Then we gathered together to strategize. Teacher Qiu took out a tactics board: "Zhongqi, you are the soul of our team, so you must connect the team well. Your three-point shooting percentage is relatively high; you will be responsible for finding opportunities on the perimeter. A Fei, you are a high-scoring player with good conditions and jumping ability, so this time you will play as a small forward. Yan Bing, you..."
As more people filled the gym, teachers and students continued to enter the court. "Jie, A Fei," I saw Pang Hao and Shuai Dong running over. "You guys are here!" "Jie, A Fei, show them what you've got!" Pang Hao and Shuai Dong gritted their teeth. "Okay, we'll teach them a lesson," I replied with a smile. After a while, referee Teacher Zhen announced that the game officially started. Our players prepared to step onto the court for the jump ball. Our team's starting five were: Cheng Zhongqi (Point Guard), Ouyang Shangqiang (Shooting Guard), Yu Chengfei (Forward), Yan Bing (Power Forward), and Zhang Ruizhi (Center). Oh no, I didn't make the starting lineup; I'm a substitute swingman.
Once on the court, Teacher Zhen designated A Fei and the opposing team's small forward Li Zhigang for the jump ball. We won the jump ball, and the game finally began! Cheng Zhongqi dribbled past half court and unexpectedly shot a three-pointer from beyond the arc—swish! In just ten seconds into the game, we completed our first offensive play. "Zhongqi Senior, that was awesome!" I jumped up waving my towel as all the students began cheering for our team. I looked around and suddenly spotted a familiar face... Sha Xiaomei! Yes, it's her; she usually seems quiet but is now cheering: "Go Yulin High School!" My desire to know her better grew stronger: Sha Xiaomei, what kind of girl are you?
The intense competition continued on the court as both sides fought hard for possession. A Fei missed a three-pointer from the right wing but grabbed his own rebound and scored while drawing a foul—+1! A Fei took a deep breath and made his free throw. At this point, the score was 17-10. The opposing team had a big player under the basket who was very dominant and scored several times in close range. By the end of the first quarter, the score was 40-38; we hadn't widened our lead.
During the break between quarters, Teacher Qiu took out his tactics board: "It seems I wasn't wrong; their inside line has improved significantly this time—they seem determined to avenge their previous loss. Let's play fast-break basketball against them. Xiang Jie, you'll substitute for A Fei at shooting guard; Yingjie, you'll substitute for Ruizhi at power forward; Yan Bing, you'll specifically focus on containing their big guy..." The second quarter began as we returned to the court—my high school team debut had started! Teacher Qiu's tactical substitutions worked well; we were agile and quick in our counterattacks and went on an 8-0 run that forced their coach to call a timeout.
"Great job! Don't give them a chance to adjust; let's build on this momentum," Teacher Qiu instructed. "Yan Bing, take a break; Zhang Jun will substitute for you... Zhongqi, use your agility..." "Jie! A Fei! Play well!" Pang Hao and Shuai Dong shouted at us; it seemed this match was truly a test.
Back on the court, both our offense and defense improved in quality as we engaged in a war of attrition. With my free throw jump shot made with 17 seconds left in the game, we led 50-48 by just two points when their point guard held onto the ball until only seconds remained before shooting from beyond three-point range! The ball bounced off the rim—phew! That was close; we almost lost our lead.
"It seems Chengdong is rising rapidly—they've improved significantly," Zhongqi Senior said seriously. "A Fei, you're going in; Xiang Jie take a break—our defensive issues seem serious..." Teacher Qiu spoke earnestly as I glanced around and noticed Sha Xiaomei whispering with her friends not far from us. When I turned back around, I found Xia Ying looking at me with a smirk—huh! This girl always seems to have something sarcastic in mind about me.
In the third quarter, we played relatively impatiently and committed several turnovers—Teacher Qiu kept shouting “Defense! Defense!” from across the gym. By the end of this quarter, we trailed 65-70 after being outscored by Chengdong 15-0!
"What were you doing?!" Teacher Qiu exclaimed anxiously. "Slow down your pace; it’s okay to be behind as long as you can catch up—don’t rush it! A Fei will play point guard; Zhongqi is getting fatigued—Xiang Jie will take over shooting guard..." Teacher Qiu laid out his strategy carefully and earnestly. "Don't forget what you promised us!" Pang Hao and Shuai Dong seemed anxious too. I inadvertently noticed A Fei's expression was serious—almost intimidating—as he slowly took out an Eagle Pendant he had received as a birthday gift when he turned fourteen. He looked like an eagle soaring freely in its own space—a display of ambition. He tightly gripped that pendant in his palm while staring at it as if thinking: We must catch up in this final quarter—it’s necessary!
The fourth quarter began, and after about a minute, A Fei truly started to explode. He hit a three-pointer from the top of the arc and executed fast breaks flawlessly. Facing Li Zhigang, he suddenly changed direction while dribbling to the right, nearly faking Li Zhigang out. Ai II! You finally came back! I think this is why he can win the Junior High School MVP while I can't: because he knows when to step up.
With just over four minutes left in the game, thanks to A Fei's explosion and our twin towers in the paint, we regained the lead and took control. The opposing team called a timeout. "Good! A Fei is playing well," Teacher Qiu said. "A Fei must be exhausted; Zhongqi, you replace A Fei, and Junze, you replace Xiang Jie." "Take a break; I'll handle it from here!" Zhongqi patted A Fei on the shoulder as the two great Point Guards made a quick exchange.
With Zhongqi back on the court, our Team became even more formidable, delivering brilliant passes and making three steals. With less than a minute left in the game, we had already built a twelve-point lead, entering garbage time. In the end, we at Yulin High School comfortably defeated the visiting Chengdong High School with a score of 98 to 4, thwarting their revenge plans.
"We won!!" We cheered as we celebrated the last official game of Team 010 with a perfect victory. All the students present joined in the celebration. I saw Sha Xiaomei smiling as she walked over. I quickly smiled back and approached her: "Hello, Sha." "Wow, you guys are amazing; keep it up!" She then walked past me, leaving me speechless: so she wasn't coming over to talk to me. Turning around, I felt my temperature rising rapidly; she walked up to A Fei and started chatting with him happily.
After school that afternoon, A Fei and I were riding our bikes down the road. "A Fei, do you like Sha Xiaomei?" I suddenly asked. "What are you talking about? Have you gone crazy from playing basketball?" A Fei retorted, but his eyes were slightly evasive. "Sha Xiaomei likes you, right?" I continued. "What nonsense are you saying? I'm leaving!" A Fei said as he pedaled away quickly on his bike. "Don't run!" I chased after him. A Fei, I didn't expect that you would compete with me for my first crush! I hate you!
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