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The coaches from both sides still hadn't called a timeout. Chu Yuetao took the ball and launched another fast break, charging straight towards our basket. My steps were noticeably slower due to fatigue, and I was left behind by Chu Yuetao. He used a quick crossover to shake off Ouyang and then jumped from the free-throw line for a layup. Li Kanglin instinctively raised his hand to block, but was called for a foul. At the same time, Chu Yuetao managed to score, earning a +1 opportunity!
Chu Yuetao pounded his chest with his right hand and shouted in excitement, "Da Tao, don't overdo it!" Xia Ying and the Three Sisters shouted in unison. Hearing this made my already tense heart turn to irritation, and I shot them a fierce glare. Gu Mei Jiao and Zhang Yirong stuck their tongues out at me, while Xia Ying flinched away from my gaze. Chu Yuetao walked to the free-throw line and made the shot, bringing the score to 11511. With just over fifty seconds left in the game, would it really come down to the last second to determine the winner? In the group stage, we had been pushed off the top spot by Rookie Team from Thirteen Middle School, and now we faced another threat from this season's City High League—Rookie Team from Second Middle School. It felt like we were constantly up against Rookie Teams this summer.
After we inbounded the ball, I initiated an attack. Chu Yuetao approached with slightly fatigued steps. I was so exhausted that I didn't even know where my legs were. I passed the ball to A Fei on the right wing. A Fei faked out Pei Xinliang and immediately stepped back for a jump shot, but missed! Hu Yue grabbed the rebound and passed it to Chu Yuetao, who sprinted downcourt while I exerted all my strength to keep up. When Chu Yuetao reached the basket, he jumped for an open layup, but I used every last bit of energy to leap up and swat the ball against the backboard! At that moment, A Fei also rushed in to catch the ball and maintained control. After landing, I almost fell over; my legs felt like jelly. I instinctively looked up at the hoop, unsure how I managed to block that shot—I had given it my all.
I slowly walked back to receive A Fei's pass as we drained the 24-second shot clock down to nearly nothing before cutting inside for Tu Lei under the basket. Tu Chuanfeng caught the ball and immediately executed a powerful dunk that shook the rim. With thirty-five seconds left in the game, we led 11711. Both teams had one more offensive opportunity left; their coach called a timeout to set up their final play. As we walked off the court, Chu Yuetao's steps looked heavy, and I felt like I was dragging my feet as well. It seemed like our first official matchup had turned into such a fierce battle; I wondered if we would be lifelong rivals.
Once off the court, I slumped into my seat with my eyes closed, not wanting to open them again. "Liu Xiao will replace Jie; Jie can take a good rest," Teacher Qiu said. Upon hearing this, I sat up immediately: "No! The game isn't decided yet; Liu Xiao hasn't even had time to adjust before Chu Yuetao will overtake us in points! Let me go; I understand Chu Yuetao's playing style." I told Teacher Qiu. He looked at me and said, "Jie, your stamina is too depleted; let Liu Xiao handle the last thirty seconds along with A Fei and Ouyang." "Coach, let me go! I promise I'll win this game!" I stood up firmly. "Let Jie go," Zhongqi Senior also stood up. Teacher Qiu thought for a moment before patting my shoulder: "Alright Jie, you go in; I believe in you!"
When the timeout ended, we all walked back onto the court together. After their team took the floor, Chu Yuetao was indeed still in play; it seemed he would be on for all forty-eight minutes of this game. Hu Yue inbounded to Chu Yuetao, who slowly brought the ball upcourt. When he reached the top of the arc, he suddenly accelerated towards the right wing at a forty-five-degree angle and jumped for another shot—he scored again! With fourteen seconds left in the game, it was 117116! Just one point behind! After making that shot, Jia Yu and Pei Xinliang ran over to hug Chu Yuetao tightly while he closed his eyes and let them pat his head. Standing nearby, I couldn't help but clench my fists.
After we inbounded again, I sprinted past half-court before bending down to waste some time. Chu Yuetao came over to foul me; however, since they hadn't committed five fouls yet, there were no free throws awarded at that moment. After we inbounded again, Jia Yu rushed in and fouled me once more—this time it counted! With eight seconds remaining on the clock, I stepped up to take my free throws but shockingly missed both shots! Fortunately, Li Kanglin grabbed a crucial rebound and scored on a putback—119116—with just six seconds left in regulation! Second Middle School still had one chance for a three-pointer.
Their coach called one last brief timeout to set up their final life-or-death offensive play as we walked off again. It felt like we were playing in City Finals; perhaps when we actually reached finals it wouldn't be any less intense than this? This time down on the bench, Teacher Qiu didn't discuss any tactics but simply told us three words: play seriously.
The thirty-second timeout flew by quickly as we returned to the court. Hu Yue quickly inbounded to Chu Yuetao again; he passed behind him to Jia Yu at a forty-five-degree angle on the right wing. As Ouyang rushed in for defense against Jia Yu, he passed back to Chu Yuetao once more. Chu Yuetao caught it at the top of the arc and took his shot—I leaped high to intercept it! My fingertip grazed the ball just enough that it fell short as it headed toward the basket and hit off the rim instead! The referee blew his whistle signaling the end of regulation time—the final score was locked at 119116! We finally held onto our home court advantage!
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