"After a long 40 minutes, the result of the match between Homi Academy and Teiko Middle School, hailed as the Second Impact, is out. In the end, the Lion King of Okukozome led his pride to win it all. I still can't believe they really did it—defeated the Generation of Miracles, defeated Teiko..." — Tokyo Youth Sports News.
This was the headline of today's Tokyo Youth Sports News.
Their description of the game wasn't extensive; they focused more on expressing their disbelief, using fan interviews to corroborate how incredible it was for Teiko to lose.
Proud Tokyo attempted to find evidence that Teiko was the better team, and their loss was an avoidable accident.
In contrast, the report from Morning Okukozome was much more detailed and provocative.
"Last year, Teiko Middle School defended their championship without suspense, achieving the great feat of a consecutive National Tournament two-peat."
"Among the opponents they defeated was, of course, Homi Academy."
"We were beaten into the ground, watching helplessly as Yuuto stood alone. He scored the game-high points but still couldn't save his team."
"What was more worrying was that as Ota and other third-year players graduated to high school, we were all wondering: Would Yuuto have to fight alone in his final year of middle school?"
"The answer is no. Yuuto finally welcomed two 'passable' helpers."
"Haizaki Shogo and Kuroko Tetsuya, two transfer students from Teiko. Attracted by Yuuto's noble charisma, they came to Okukozome and became the most reliable players for Homi Academy besides Yuuto."
"Their arrival greatly alleviated the pressure on Yuuto. Their presence even allowed Yuuto to focus on defensive tasks peacefully during the first half against Teiko. Homi Academy managed to survive the first half."
"But we all know what happened next. Facing Homi Academy's challenge, the defending champions brought out even better competitive form. Seijuro Akashi and Daiki Aomine erupted successively, once extinguishing Homi Academy's hope."
"At that time, I pessimistically thought that we still couldn't win anything this year, and that Teiko Middle School would complete an unprecedented three-peat under the leadership of the Generation of Miracles!"
"Almost everyone was waiting to see Homi Academy become a joke, but the Lion King of Okukozome did not allow such a thing to happen."
"He counterattacked in desperation!"
"When the people of Tochigi had despaired, the Lion King of Okukozome shouldered his responsibility. He carried the burden of winning for the team and took over the game."
"The belief forged in the furnace allowed him to choose to move forward even in the most desperate moments. His tenacious heart feared no obstacles."
"In the first half, for the team's victory, he chose to sacrifice himself and take on the heavy responsibility of defense."
"But in the second half, when the team needed him, he took over the ball again and led the charge."
"39 points in a half. This is the answer sheet Yuuto handed in facing desperation and doubt. He supplied the firepower when the team needed someone to score, and delivered 10 blocks and 12 steals on the defensive end, demonstrating to people what a two-way player is."
This report detailed the process of the game.
Beyond being emotional, it was highly inflammatory.
Many local fans felt empathy just by reading it.
At the end of the article.
They saved the ink for Yuuto.
"Yuuto, a young man of only fifteen, is growing at an astonishing speed. He is fighting for the first National Tournament championship on our land that desperately needs victory."
"He possesses admirable qualities. No matter how many times he falls, he can stand up again. Facing difficulties, he will not shrink back but face them bravely."
"Of course, our journey is not over yet. We still have games to play, but the highest mountain has been crossed by us. Next will be a smooth path!"
"Go, Lion of Okukozome! Honors belonging to you are waiting ahead."
"But please believe me, this is absolutely not your limit!"
Yuuto's performance over the past two years was obvious to all.
It could be said that without Yuuto, Homi Academy would still be that pushover team from the countryside.
It was only after having him that Homi Academy could soar into the sky, even dragging Teiko down from the throne.
No one refuted the tone of Morning Okukozome.
Even the people of Tokyo, no matter how unwilling, had to admit it.
Yuuto was the key factor in Homi Academy defeating Teiko.
Of course.
They didn't admit defeat.
A Tokyo newspaper maliciously published such a headline:
[Can Okukozome Keep Their Lion King?]
"15-year-old Yuuto is leading Homi Academy toward the National Tournament championship that Tochigi Prefecture has never touched."
"I have reason to believe that having defeated Teiko, they can laugh until the end and lift the final championship trophy."
"But we must realize one thing: this year is already Yuuto's third year at Homi Academy. Next year, he will advance to high school."
"As far as we know, neither Okukozome nor the entire Tochigi Prefecture has any high school team that can be called a powerhouse. Their quota for the National Tournament is a pitiful single spot."
"I reckon that many powerhouses in the high school basketball world are already preparing to contact this gifted player."
This newspaper's report was like a blow to the head, making the originally elated people of Okukozome feel somewhat sad.
Because everything this damn report said was true.
Tochigi Prefecture had no basketball powerhouses.
How to define a basketball powerhouse?
In the categories of middle school, high school, and university, if a team can consistently qualify for the National Tournament and achieve good results like the Top 16 multiple times.
Then this school can be called a basketball powerhouse.
And "Powerhouse"...
These two words themselves are a golden signboard capable of continuously attracting talent.
This report even addressed Yuuto directly at the end.
"If the Lion of Okukozome wants to go further in his basketball career, he should welcome greater challenges, rather than staying in a countryside place occupying a precious qualification spot every year."
...
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