Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog-Chapter 319: Yin Yang Knights vs. Shizi Dogs (3)

"They’re doing well," Lina muttered while looking at the score.

34-30.

Coach Muchen nodded despite his racing heart. "Yeah, the score is close."

However, Kai’s unease continued to persist.

And it turned out to be justified.

The game pressed on, and the score remained close, but it was clear that something was brewing beneath the surface.

The Shizi Dogs and Yin Yang Knights traded baskets, each team showing off their skills.

Chunlei watched the game intently, analyzing every move, every play. As the first quarter neared its end, he came to a realization, his eyebrows raising in surprise.

"Huh," he muttered. "So, that’s how it is?"

Meanwhile, Coach Ben and Yixing, who found themselves sitting together, discussed the game.

The two still felt bitter about their loss against the Shizi Dogs as well as losing Kai as a potential player. In that sense, they bonded over their losses, so they paid greater attention to the team that had defeated them.

Coach Ben placed his hands under his legs, a thoughtful look on his face.

"I knew it," he muttered, almost to himself.

One of the players nearby caught the comment and asked, "What do you mean, Coach?"

Ben glanced over, a small smile playing on his lips. "It’s still too early for the Shizi Dogs to beat the Yin Yang Knights."

The Feng Foxes’ starting players turned to their coach, curious about his thoughts.

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Zedong, who was also near them, joined their conversation. "Why do you say that?"

Coach Yixing joined in, nodding in agreement with Ben. "The Knights are a different beast. There’s a reason why they’ve been the reigning champion for years. They’re not just relying on talent. They’ve got something more."

As the second quarter commenced, both teams put their starting line-ups back on the court. The break had been brief but enough for the coaches to make adjustments. The Shizi Dogs knew they had to bring their A-game, and the Knights were ready to maintain their lead.

Chunlei, from his vantage point, could see the differences between the two teams clearly. He had played against the Knights enough times to know their strengths and weaknesses. He listened as the coaches discussed the game, adding his own silent analysis.

Coach Ben started. "The Yin Yang Knights have the best teamwork. It’s not just a buzzword for them; it’s their lifeblood. They don’t rely on individual stars, except maybe for Max. They’ve built a team that’s greater than the sum of its parts.

They rarely have a powerful line-up with a first-year player because they focus on building chemistry and understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses behind the scenes."

Coach Yixing nodded. "Exactly. It’s not about who’s the best player; it’s about who fits best into the team. Every player knows their role and plays it to perfection. That’s why they’re so hard to beat. They’re always in sync, always on the same page."

Ben clicked his tongue as he directed his gaze to the bench.

"Guanyu, that bastard. I hate his cold personality, but I can’t deny his coaching skills. Moreover, the Yin Yang Knights are the only team that could implement such a strategy in the district."

Coach Yixing nodded. "The good players go to them first."

Kexin clicked his tongue. "So, you’re telling us that we’re not good enough, coach?" Find exclusive stories on novelbuddy

Coach Yixing raised his hands in surrender. "You said it. I didn’t."

Coach Ben shook his head. "Yin Yang High is most known for its basketball team. It’s only normal that they’d be able to recruit the most promising stars."

"We’re still in a good place for being the second-best team. Schools like Shizi High have it worst since they aren’t really known for their basketball team," Coach Ben continued.

Chunlei couldn’t help but agree. Max was the star, but the team played around him perfectly. They didn’t depend solely on his scoring; they used him as a focal point to create opportunities for everyone else.

The Shizi Dogs, on the other hand, had incredible individual talent. Players like Yuze and Kai could take over games with their skills. But that was also their downfall. They sometimes played like five talented individuals rather than a cohesive unit. This disjointedness was especially clear when compared to the Knights’ fluid gameplay.

As the second quarter continued, the Knights continued to display their superior teamwork. Max orchestrated the offense, directing players and setting up plays. Fabin’s fakes kept the defense guessing, while Ailun’s ball-handling ensured they maintained possession. Yutong’s defense was as tenacious as ever, and Shin, with his precise shooting, picked his moments carefully.

Coach Yixing spoke again, "The Shizi Dogs are working hard, but they’re expending too much energy. They’re trying to match the Knights’ pace, but they’re not used to this level of cohesive play. Even Kai, known for his endurance, looks winded. They’re running around more, trying to keep up."

Chunlei nodded thoughtfully. The Shizi Dogs were indeed looking tired. The Knights, with their polished teamwork, were running their plays with less effort, conserving energy for the crucial moments later in the game.

Coach Ben smirked with a note of conclusion in his voice. "They might keep up for the first two quarters, but by the end, they’ll start trailing. The gap might not seem big now, but it’ll widen as the game goes on. The Knights will pull away; they always do."

As the quarter progressed, the signs of fatigue became more evident among the Shizi Dogs. They were still fighting, still giving it their all, but their movements were less crisp and their reactions were slower. In contrast, the Knights looked composed, sticking to their game plan without wavering.

Kai felt the strain. He glanced around at his teammates, seeing the same fatigue he felt in himself.

It was the first time he had felt tired, and it was only the second quarter.

They were keeping up, but barely.

And Kai knew it. The Knights’ relentless teamwork was wearing them down, bit by bit.

The buzzer sounded, signaling a time-out from the Shizi Dogs.

It was a much-needed one—as the boys greedily drank their water, with some even sitting on the bench to catch their breaths.

"A time-out from the Shizi Dogs!" Mark exclaimed. "I wonder how the Dogs are feeling now that they’re faced with the Knights?"

"The score is 45-40, and it seems like they’re holding up well. However, the dispositions of the two teams are quite different. While the Dogs are breathless, the Knights seem okay."

"No, there’s definitely something wrong," she muttered as she observed their faces.

Then, she turned to Kai with a small frown.

"Why do you look tired, too?"