Chapter 38: The Yang Qi Moment
Chapter 38: The Yang Qi Moment
“No battery?”
Niu Fengshan snatched the phone over and shouted, “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
He was truly anxious!
How could Niu Fengshan not be anxious? A prodigy had finally appeared, reigniting his hopeless confidence in the match, only for that prodigy to suddenly call saying there was an urgent matter at home and he couldn’t join the team gathering. And now, the phone couldn’t even be reached.
“Well, you were busy arranging tactics, I didn’t dare interrupt,” the assistant said sheepishly, shrinking his neck. Old Niu was usually easy-going, but once a match started, he would enter a frantic state, becoming very serious and strict. Given today’s situation, he didn’t even dare call him by the nickname “Old Niu.”
“Then hurry up and call him with your phone!”
“I, I don’t have his number.”
“Go ask who has it right now!”
Niu Fengshan shouted several times. On the court at that moment, the opposing forward number 10 clearly had a chance for an easy put-back, but instead he aggressively grabbed an offensive rebound, drove out from the paint, then turned back for a slam dunk to score. Wasn’t he just padding his stats? It angered Niu Fengshan so much he nearly crushed the dead phone in his hand!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The dunk drew applause and cheers from the spectators off the court.
Only 40 seconds remained in the first half. The score was 13:44!
The spectators today weren’t just students from Ruiyun High School. There were city officials, leaders from the Municipal Education Bureau, and even a director from the Provincial Education Bureau. Besides them, there were also several media reporters from Ruiyun City and Jiangzhe Province. Then there were representatives from high school basketball teams from nearby cities here to observe. Most importantly for basketball players, there were executives from the Jiangzhe Province Basketball Association, members of the Jiangzhe Provincial Team, and some scouts.
A high school basketball team from the United States coming to Jiangzhe Province for a friendly match was something that hadn’t happened in years, naturally attracting many spectators. Moreover, whether ordinary people or high officials in Huaxia, most loved watching exciting events. And since this excitement was covered by public funds, how could they miss it?
So, this originally not-small Ruiyun gymnasium was packed to the brim, with jeers and cheers rising and falling one after another.
Lose the game, but not our dignity!
That was a task given to Niu Fengshan by the school leaders and even the city officials. Losing was expected, but they had to lose with grace.
But right now, it clearly wasn’t looking very graceful.
Although the Anderson Osborne basketball team only had two starters playing, they were completely dominating Ruiyun High School. That was bad enough, but the way the opponents kept padding their stats like they were messing around really got on Niu Fengshan’s nerves.
Especially that number 10. He knew people from the United States were pretty outgoing, show off if you want, but don’t be such a jerk about it! Who knows what he ate, but he was acting so smug.
On the court, Ruiyun High School was inbounding the ball. After crossing the half-court line, Ruiyun’s point guard was number 0. His usually impressive and sturdy build was being completely overpowered by a black opponent’s forward, making him look weak. Number 0 didn’t dare hold the ball for long. He had already been stripped three times before; that black guy’s hands were really quick. After someone set a screen, number 0 dribbled past, saw he had attracted a few defenders’ attention, and immediately passed the ball to captain Li Mingwei on the baseline.
After receiving the ball, Li Mingwei immediately drove in for a three-step layup. But the opponent’s center, who was a full 2 meters tall, was not to be trifled with. He stood in front of him, his large hands like palm leaves almost completely sealing Li Mingwei’s path.
Fortunately, Li Mingwei was agile. He managed a scoop shot, forcefully creating a path and sending the ball towards the basket.
Clang.
Sadly, the angle was too difficult. The ball hit the backboard and didn’t go in. It was scooped up by the opposing center, who quickly passed it out, and it ended up in number 10’s hands again.
“Play it steady, last possession of the half.”
Number 10 held up a finger and called out to his teammates, a bright smile on his face.
Now only 27 seconds remained. Number 10 decided to use up the full 24 seconds as much as possible, leaving about 3 or 4 seconds for the other side, effectively finishing the first half.
Just as expected, under number 10’s direction, the ball was passed around outside, with no sign of driving inside.
Only at the very end did they drive. The ball still ended up with number 10. Instead of shooting directly, he stepped back beyond the three-point line and swished a three-pointer. Basket!
“Get back on defense. There are only 4 seconds left for them to end the first half. That should be enough time for them to dribble to just beyond our three-point line.”
Number 10 laughed heartily and even waved handsomely towards a specific direction in the stands.
“This guy is just too hateful!”
Several girls were sitting in that direction in the stands. One of them nearly swore out loud. “Childish, so childish! Does he think showing off like this makes him cool? Pah! Pah! Pah! Pah!”
This girl was none other than the flat-chested but fierce Du Sisi. Sitting next to her was Chen Xiaoxiao. That number 10 was the overly confident guy who had stopped Yang Qi at the library during the day, and just now, he was feeling good about himself while waving at Chen Xiaoxiao. Every time he made a basket, he would wave at Chen Xiaoxiao, as if saying, “I’m fighting for you today, babe.”
“Time out!”
At that moment, a whistle blew. Ruiyun High School requested a time out.
This surprised everyone. Only 4 seconds remained. Why call a time out? This wasn’t an NBA game. Were they going to try some tactical quick play?
The reason Niu Fengshan called the time out naturally wasn’t to arrange some tactical play, but because Yang Qi had finally arrived!
“You ran here?”
Niu Fengshan looked at Yang Qi and asked. Yang Qi nodded.
“At least you have some conscience, kid! Consider this your warm-up.” Niu Fengshan said, “Now change into your jersey immediately. Change right here! Get on the court right away.”
“Okay.”
Yang Qi nodded, truly feeling a bit embarrassed for being so late. He cooperated fully with Old Niu’s instructions. Changing clothes in front of everyone was fine.
Seeing Yang Qi, the team members gathered around him, hope burning in their eyes. Honestly, they had been beaten up so badly just now!
“Let me give you the rough idea now,” Niu Fengshan took advantage of Yang Qi changing clothes to say, “We won’t talk about the current score. As for time, there are only 4 seconds left in the first half. Yang Qi, after you get on the court later…”
The entire gymnasium was now very curious about what the Ruiyun basketball team was doing. All the players huddled in a circle as if discussing some super-secret tactic.
The time out finally ended. The Ruiyun basketball team dispersed. Observant people would notice one player had been substituted: a shorter guy about 1.75 meters, not very muscular either. The only highlight might be the very calm smile on his face.
“Huh, isn’t that… that kid Yang Qi? Why is he playing?”
Du Sisi had sharp eyes and quickly spotted Yang Qi, exclaiming. Chen Xiaoxiao saw him too, her eyes full of curiosity. Could he play basketball too?
Similarly, classmates of Yang Qi’s who had come to watch the basketball game also noticed him, looking puzzled. Since he became smart and got first in the ten-school exam, had he also become good at basketball?
Another person noticed Yang Qi: the opposing number 10. He remembered Yang Qi, the guy who bullied a girl and wanted him to apologize, and who later said who-knows-what bad things about him.
“That guy finally showed up!”
A tall, burly man sitting in the VIP stands with many officials suddenly brightened up. He was Li Lianke, the provincial team member who had made Yang Qi shoot the ball that day.
The Ruiyun basketball team inbounded the ball.
The clock started counting down.
Number 0 directly passed the ball to Yang Qi. Yang Qi caught the ball and ran towards the opposite side, quickly crossing the half-court line.
Time remaining: 3 seconds.
Anderson Osborne High’s number 10 really didn’t like Yang Qi. This time he took the initiative to press. He wanted to shut down this guy who dared say who-knows-what in front of him.
As number 10 charged over, Yang Qi jumped to shoot.
Seeing the height of the jump, number 10 sneered contemptuously. Was he asking to get blocked? He leaped up, his hand swatting towards the ball.
At that moment, Yang Qi suddenly gave a strange smile. His already jumping body rose a bit higher. Number 10’s swatting hand hit his wrist, and at the same time, his wrist flicked. From a good step behind the three-point line, Yang Qi released the shot.
Swish!
The ball drew a beautiful parabola. A crisp sound of net followed. The ball went in.
Time remaining: 1 second!
“It’s in!”
Coach Niu Fengshan on the sidelines waved his arms, shouting loudly.
“It’s in, it’s in!”
Du Sisi immediately jumped up, her face full of excitement. “I didn’t expect this guy to really know how to play basketball, and from so far and so accurate! Oh my, is there anything this guy can’t do?”
Chen Xiaoxiao clenched her fists tightly, her eyes full of wonder.
“Wow! A three-pointer, it’s a three-pointer!”
The spectators in the stands cheered, especially the students from Ruiyun High School, who erupted in full celebration. Before, they mostly saw the foreigners score. Although they cheered too, it felt forced. Now they could finally cheer wholeheartedly for their school team.
“It’s in, and there’s a free throw!”
Li Lianke from the provincial team in the VIP stands let out a quiet exclamation. He clearly understood this wasn’t just simple luck.
Sure enough, after the basket, the referee’s whistle sounded. Three points counted, plus one free throw.
“Whoa, there’s a free throw too? So he made that super-long three while being fouled! Who is that new player? So fierce!”
Someone in the stands exclaimed in surprise.
Yang Qi, at this moment, walked very calmly to the free-throw line. Several teammates excitedly ran over to high-five him for encouragement.
“Just luck, kid with black hair!” Number 10 stood in the rebounding position, gritting his teeth and thinking.
The referee passed the ball to Yang Qi, signaling the free throw.
Yang Qi took the ball, raised it over his head, flicked his wrist, and the ball flew out.
Everyone held their breath.
Clang.
A crisp sound. The ball bounced out of the basket.
One second left. Start the clock!
The opposing 2-meter-tall center jumped high to grab the rebound.
But at that moment, a figure had already leaped from the free-throw line as if he had taken flight, reaching out and snatching the ball directly from over the head of the 2-meter center.
A flip of the hand, then a slam dunk!
Buzzer!
The last second finished, and the buzzer sounded.
Basket made, at the buzzer!
Under the sound of the buzzer, the entire gymnasium fell silent, then erupted into cheers loud enough to lift the roof.
If that long shot just now was merely stunning, then this dunk now left everyone in awe.
“4 seconds, and he produced a 3-point play plus a 2-point dunk! This can truly be called ‘The Yang Qi Moment’!”
Li Lianke on the VIP stands stood up, his eyes full of pleasant surprise, murmuring to himself.