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墨書 Inktalez
The Grand Finale~~
Chu Yuetao stepped up to the free throw line and made both shots, 11011, trailing by three points. I took the ball and initiated an attack. Chu Yuetao and Luo Yudong looked severely exhausted. Sigh! How could I not feel the same? But the game must go on. I quickly maneuvered to the right side, and before Chu Yuetao could catch up, Luo Yudong was in front of me for defense. My eyes locked onto Luo Yudong. "You should step down!" I pushed forward with force, causing Luo Yudong to take two steps back. Then I quickly retreated, but Luo Yudong reacted swiftly and followed me closely. Suddenly, I charged forward and collided with Luo Yudong's shoulder. I felt a sharp pain in my nose as I fell to the ground. The referee's whistle blew. I tightly closed my eyes and clenched my fists, pounding the floor with all my might. "Jie, well done!" Our bench erupted in cheers, and the fans applauded me. Suddenly, Team Doctor approached with a medical kit standing in front of me. It was then that I realized my nose was bleeding, and the floor was already stained red. But it was worth it; this foul had to be earned with some effort; otherwise, it wouldn't be convincing.
"Jie, be yourself, be the Chris Paul in your heart!" Jiang Lingfeng shouted at me. I turned around to see several seniors giving me a fist pump for encouragement. I raised my fist high into the air and walked to the free throw line to shoot. I dribbled twice to adjust myself, then closed my eyes to calm my mind before taking the first shot—swish! After the referee tossed me the ball again, I quickly took the second shot—another swish! 1111, still trailing by one point with one minute and forty seconds left in the game. After the opposing team inbounded the ball, Chu Yuetao brought it toward midcourt. I crouched down in front of him. Chu Yuetao, my destined opponent—now without A Fei, Ouyang, Kobe, Zhou Wenming, or Lu Yinghao. Also absent were Haoshuai, Luo Yudong, Mulin, and Giant Center. In this decisive moment for the championship, it was just me against Chu Yuetao, a one-on-one showdown—the final battle before graduation to settle this fate that had entangled us throughout high school.
Facing me, Chu Yuetao took a step to the right and jumped for a shot. I leaped up for defense as he made a right-side jump shot—score! 11115. After Li Kanglin inbounded the ball, I slowly advanced into their half-court and passed it to Tu Lei. He immediately returned it to me while cutting toward the basket. With all my strength, I threw the ball toward the hoop: "Tu Chuanfeng!" Tu Lei soared high to catch it and executed a powerful dunk—115! The crowd erupted once again as this perfect alley-oop showcased his Slam Dunk skills. I ran over and jumped up to celebrate with him by bumping chests while Song Huajing and Lu Lei gave us thumbs up. With one minute and six seconds left in the game, Chu Yuetao drove straight toward me for a layup. I jumped for defense just as he was about to release the ball; suddenly, he pulled it under my arm and made a beautiful floater—117! With fifty-two seconds remaining, the bench from City Second High School erupted in cheers as well; Luo Yudong waved his towel vigorously. We quickly inbounded; I took one step inside the three-point line and shot confidently—it bounced off the rim! However, Li Kanglin grabbed the rebound and scored on his second attempt—116117! Twelve seconds had passed.
As I sprinted back on defense, I high-fived Du, Tu Lei, Wei Weiwei, and Li Kanglin. With twenty seconds left on the clock and trailing by one point, this time Chu Yuetao held onto the ball while slowly running down the clock. I could almost hear his heavy breathing when suddenly he accelerated past me. I took two quick steps to follow him as he lifted for a layup—I realized too late! It was a fake! I pulled back my jumping foot just in time; sure enough, after retracting his hand, Chu Yuetao shot again. Seizing my chance, I raised my hand and leaped up—"Smack!"—I blocked his shot! Du grabbed the ball and launched a fast break down to the right side where he passed it back to Tu Lei, who scored easily—118117! We had taken back the lead with twenty-one seconds left!
The opposing team quickly inbounded; Chu Yuetao passed it to his Shooting Guard who took two steps forward before returning it low. Despite my best efforts to defend him, he made another shot—118119! There were only nine seconds left on the clock; all fans fell silent as we prepared for our final offensive play—success meant victory; failure meant defeat.
After we inbounded, using every last ounce of strength left in me, I sprinted forward while facing off against Chu Yuetao. As I ran wildly towards him, I quickly pulled back my feet and unleashed my final move: "Lingbo Microstep." Seeing that he was following closely behind me, I executed continuous crossovers without stopping until finally breaking free! Immediately after stepping back for a mid-range jumper that bounced twice off the rim before falling straight through—"Beep!" The game ended! All players rushed onto the court as my mind went blank from exhaustion; lying on the floor while teammates and fans patted my head and body before lifting me into the air felt like an eternity. When they finally set me down after what seemed like forever, my consciousness gradually returned as people continued celebrating around me. Jiang Lingfeng, along with Thunderbolt, approached smiling and clapping their hands at me. Smiling back at them as we met halfway, "Congratulations on your victory, Paul II," said Jiang Lingfeng. We exchanged fist bumps before slowly making our way back to our seats where I took out that soaring eagle trophy and kissed it gently; tears streamed down my face uncontrollably as if I were a child crying helplessly on the floor—"A Fei, brother—I promised you I'd make it happen! I've let our eagle soar above the Olympic Sports Center; we from Yulin are truly the best in town!"
"Alright! After an intense overtime battle between our two great teams, we have finally determined a winner—the new champion has emerged! I announce that for Season 01 of the city-wide high school boys' basketball league...the overall champion is...Yulin High School! Now please return to your respective Locker Rooms to prepare for an awards ceremony shortly." Both teams then entered their respective Locker Rooms where no one went wild again but instead sat quietly in their seats with heads bowed—a silence so thick it felt suffocating until finally breaking when Teacher Qiu spoke up with trembling voice: "Team members...we did it! My wish has finally been fulfilled; I've finally done right by Yulin High School. Thank you all..." Tears streamed down his face once more as we were moved to tears ourselves upon hearing him speak.
The team leader opened the door announcing that it was time for awards; adjusting his emotions slightly,Teacher Qiu said: "Alright team members—we're going out now to touch our hard-earned honor." Standing up again as he opened the door wide for us—we walked back onto court.
"First up is our runner-up team: The City Second High School Team!" The host called out as City Second High School stepped onto stage for their award presentation; though there was a hint of regret on their faces they still raised their flowers and medals proudly.
The host continued: "Next is our champion team: The Yulin High School Team!" We stood hand-in-hand atop of highest podium accepting flowers and medals from city Sports Bureau director before lifting our city championship trophy together like precious gems—crying out loud with joy after waiting three years for this moment!
"Now we will present an award symbolizing highest honor among high school athletes: The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award goes to...the captain of Yulin High School...Xiang Jie!” As soon as announced by host sister,Emcee, she brought forth a crystal trophy engraved with flames surrounding a basketball right before me.
Trembling slightly holding MVP trophy high above my head while signaling host for microphone—I spoke words I'd long wanted say: "Thank you everyone for supporting us these past three years; now we return this trophy back to you all—the feeling right now is simply indescribable! However...this MVP trophy does not belong solely to me but rather belongs collectively among us who fought together through laughter & tears—my fellow Brothers—we're graduating soon but let’s remember these years together always; if given chance again let’s charge ahead together!”
This earned thunderous applause from crowd around us as well—I handed MVP trophy over towards Brothers too because today would forever remain etched within our memories!
We eight gathered once more beneath Wishing Tree at Lijing Park where both Shuai Dong & Pang Hao supported still-recovering A Fei; wait—not eight but twelve now—with addition of Kobe & Zhou Wenming joining us too!
“Congratulations everyone—the new champions of City High League!” Jiang Lingfeng cheered clapping hands joyfully while A Fei pulled out his Eagle necklace saying: “This time no need praying for Eagle anymore.”
“How's Senior Thunderbolt doing on University Team?” Ouyang asked turning towards them curiously.
Thunderbolt exchanged smiles while Song Huajing chimed in: “We’re off chasing Lingfeng towards national team!” Zhou Wenming added: “Just wait till we join forces representing country together!”
“Sure thing—I’ll make flag alongside Pang Hao cheering you guys on!” Shuai Dong excitedly exclaimed but Pang Hao quickly interrupted saying: “Forget it—you write too poorly.”
We all laughed heartily until Zhongqi Senior concluded: “Brothers no matter what paths we choose ahead let’s fight fiercely towards beliefs within our hearts!”
Looking at Wishing Tree we placed hands together bidding farewell—to high school life yet knowing journey has only begun ahead still long road awaits us filled with new beliefs & goals—we shall continue fighting endlessly… (The End)
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