Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

Max felt a chill run down his spine, causing him to miss the shot.

He stopped for a moment and looked outside the large transparent window from their school's court.

"Max missed!" Ailun exclaimed. "That means that I'm getting better at this!"

Coach Guanyu frowned. "Why are you so distracted today?" he asked

Fabin and AIlun turned to each other with knowing smiles.

"He's thinking about the game between the Foxes and the Dogs," Fabin said. "Max really wants to watch it."

"I want to watch it, too," Ailun complained.

"Why are we training until the evening today, coach? I bet most teams are watching at the city's court."

"True!" Fabin exclaimed. "Our game tomorrow isn't even with a strong team."

The other players exclaimed in agreement.

Coach Guanyu turned to glare at all of them, making them shut their mouths.

"If you think we're practicing for the game tomorrow, then think again," he said.

Max's eyebrows furrowed.

"I just want to know who will win, coach," he said.

Coach Guanyu smirked. "Does that even matter?" he asked.

"The Feng Foxes and the Shizi Dogs are teams that we've both beaten before."

Back to the court...

From the get-go, it was obvious that Chunlei wasn't holding back. He was already known for his skill on the court, but tonight, he was playing on another level.

His movements were sharp, his eyes fierce, and his determination seemed to have increased a hundredfold.

"They need to control Chunlei," Lina said, biting her lip in nervousness.

Coach Muchen nodded, the frown not leaving his face. "However, the other boys also need to keep their players in check."

"We can't double down on Chunlei."

As the ball bounced into Jinping's hands, Chunlei pounced, snatching it away with a deft swipe. The crowd erupted as he sprinted down the court, weaving through defenders like they weren't even there. With a graceful leap, he laid the ball into the net.

4-0.

"The Feng Foxes have scored once again!" Mark exclaimed as the crowd went crazy.

Those wearing pink couldn't help but feel nervous as the Shizi Dogs were still yet to score.

Yuze, sensing the nervousness of the crowd, sighed and took the ball.

He felt the weight of the game pressing on his shoulders, but he shook it off and focused. He maneuvered around the court, scanning for an opening. Finding his moment, he broke through the Foxes' defense and executed a perfect lay-up. The ball swished through the net.

4-2.

Lina sighed in relief.

"That's our Yuze!" Shang exclaimed from the bleachers.

Zeren shook his head as he watched his previous captain.

"He's still good," he muttered.

Coach Ben was able to hear him.

"Well, Yuze has always been a tough competitor," he chimed.

But no sooner, when the crowd hadn't even settled, Kexin lined up a shot from beyond the three-point line. With a fluid motion, he released the ball, and it soared through the air, finding its mark perfectly.

7-2.

The scores kept piling up against the Dogs, and it made the people wonder if they still weren't ready to go against such a strong team like the Foxes.

"Maybe the Alligators were just weaker."

"Well, the Alligators have never won against the Foxes."

"But even then, the Shizi Dogs had almost a thirty-point gap between them!"

"Feng Arts is really amazing."

Coach Ben smirked as he heard compliments being passed left and right for his team.

Then, he focused his gaze on one particular player—Kai, whom he had failed to recruit.

"This is what you've missed," he muttered.

Zeren turned to their coach with furrowed eyebrows before focusing back on the court.

He observed the Shizi Dogs, finding them familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time.

Although they were a good team, Zeren felt that they could never be the best.

With that, he crossed his arms in front of his chest and relaxed in his seat.

Yuze clicked his tongue as he looked at the 5-point gap.

"Let's get this ball moving," he muttered under his breath.

Jinping nodded, taking the ball at the top of the key. Chunlei was on him in a flash, but Jinping managed to pivot and pass the ball to Yuze. Yuze caught it and started driving toward the basket. Chunlei and Kexin closed in, forming a wall of defense.

But Yuze was quick, darting left, then right, looking for an opening.

"Here!" Jinping called out, moving into position.

Yuze feigned a shot, drawing the defenders in, and then lobbed the ball to Jinping.

The crowd held its breath as the ball sailed through the air. Jinping grabbed it, but Chunlei was right there, hand outstretched to steal it. With a quick spin, Jinping managed to evade Chunlei's grasp and passed the ball back to Yuze, who had repositioned himself closer to the basket.

But the defense was relentless. Just as Yuze was about to shoot, Chunlei and Kexin closed in again. There was no clear shot. Thinking fast, Yuze spotted Kai moving into an open space near the perimeter. With a leap, Yuze passed the ball over the heads of the defenders.
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Kai caught it, and in an instant, he found himself surrounded by Shilei and Yiming, the Foxes' toughest defenders. Kai hesitated for a moment, confusion crossing his face. It was usually Yuze they tag-teamed, not him.

But there was no time to ponder.

With a burst of energy, Kai began to dribble, pushing against Shilei and Yiming with unexpected force. He could feel their surprise.

"Strong," Shilei muttered, pursing his lips while tightening his defense.

Gritting his teeth, Kai drove forward, carving out just enough space to take a shot.

He pulled up for the jumper, and the crowd seemed to hold their breaths. Yiming leaped into the air, extending his arm to block the shot. His hand made contact with the ball, but instead of a clean block, he felt a sharp sting as he accidentally slapped Kai's hand. The ball wobbled slightly, changing its trajectory.

It was then that Yiming noticed the smirk on Kai's face.

"Wait," Yiming whispered with wide eyes.

A realization hit him like a train.

Kai had planned this.

He had anticipated the block and had known his shot would be altered.

Yiming's slap had turned what should have been a difficult shot into the perfect angle.

The ball arced through the air, spinning slightly off its original course. The crowd watched in stunned silence as it descended, kissed the rim, and fell through the net.

7-4.