The second quarter picked up intensity, with just 2:00 left on the clock and the score tied at 38–38. Both teams were pressing, and every possession mattered.
Team L huddled briefly after the break in play. Koji, ever the composed captain, looked at each teammate.
"Let's make this next stretch count. We close this quarter strong, we take the momentum into the second half."
Coach Saito nodded. "Watch Nakamoto. Force him left, but don't overcommit. We're switching to tight man defense now. I want grit. I want pressure."
Back on the Court
The ball was inbounded to Koji. He passed it up to Takumi Endo, who surveyed the floor, then called for a screen from Haruto Fujiwara. Takumi drove right, drew two defenders, and kicked it out to the left wing—Shun Kuroda, wide open.
Shun launched it.
Splash. 41–38, Team L.
The bench exploded with energy. Even Yuto on the sidelines stood up, shouting encouragement.
Renji Nakamoto wasted no time. He pulled up just past the arc—
Clang. Missed.
The rebound tipped around until Fujiwara muscled it down.
1:10 Remaining – Sub Alert
Coach Saito tapped Yuto on the shoulder.
"Your turn. Check in for Shun."
Yuto stood up, nerves fluttering in his chest. He slapped hands with Shun and stepped onto the floor, locking eyes with Renji across from him.
The crowd noise blurred into a hum.
This was it—his second real shift on the court, and the pressure was higher than ever.
Final Minute Push
Koji dribbled with purpose, passing to Yuto, who now had Renji guarding him. Yuto jab-stepped, crossed over hard, and drove—but Renji anticipated. He swatted the ball out of bounds with a smirk.
Koji clapped. "Keep going, Yuto. Make him work."
With 0:47 left, Team L inbounded again. This time, Mio Sasaki faked a hand-off and drove baseline, finishing with a smooth reverse layup.
43–38, Team L.
Renji Responds
Team I wasn't letting go. Renji brought the ball up himself, weaving through defenders, stepping back, and—
BANG.
A deep two from the elbow.
43–40.
Coach Saito stood and signaled, "Last shot!"
Final Possession
With the clock winding down, Team L ran a slow, deliberate possession. Yuto moved off-ball, running through two screens before catching the ball at the top.
He hesitated...
Stepback...
Three.
Too strong.
The buzzer sounded.
Halftime: Team L leads 43–40.
Yuto looked down at his hands, frustrated.
Koji patted his shoulder.
"You'll get it. Keep shooting."
YOU ARE READING
Project Yagi Volume 2
AdventureAfter a victorious debut, Yuto Nakamura and Team L find themselves facing their greatest challenge yet - Team I, led by the unstoppable Renji Nakamoto. As the battle between teams heats up, Yuto begins to carve his own path, hitting a clutch shot an...
