Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

Kai thought back on the feeling of sinking a free-throw shot. He had already practiced plenty of times, but the height of his basketball ring at home was lower compared to the official one.

He let out a deep breath and aimed the ball at the ring. Then, it left his hands, watching how the ball moved toward the hoop.

As it touched the rim, Kai smirked.

It was going to make it.

He smiled when it went just as he had expected.

54-56.

The players at the Shizi Bench cheered while those at Xing Academy became silent.

They almost couldn't believe it, some of them already staring off into the distance.

"I can't believe we're going to lose..."

"And to think that our cheerleaders are already practicing for the next game with the Feng Foxes."

"They should have cheered in this game instead."

"There's no way! We can't lose this one."

After sinking the shot, Kai quickly went to the side of the Xing Stars. He already learned from his mistake in the last game.

There were still 59 seconds on the clock, and a lot could happen in that timeframe. They still had the chance to turn the game around.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Kai felt someone run through him with lightning speed, making him halt.

Then, before he knew it, the side of the Xing Stars began cheering.

He glanced at the scoreboard and cursed under his breath,

56-56.

Zedong shot another lay-up before any of the Shizi Dogs could even react!

"What the heck was that? I didn't even see him set up a play!"

"I don't think he set that up."

"He's doing everything in his capacity to win this game!"

"Damn," Kai whispered, knowing that Zedong must have unlocked a skill that he, himself, wasn't even aware of.

Even Yuze was baffled, feeling like he couldn't stop the erratic player.

56-56.

They were currently in a tie, and there were 30 seconds left.

It could be argued that ending with a tie would give the Shizi Dogs a chance to widen their gap once more—similar to what they did during the second and third sets.

However, Kai was sure that they were going to lose if the game went into overtime.

If they continued to play with Zedong while he was in his zone, then the gap they've built for the past sets would all go down the drain.

"We need to score!" Kai exclaimed, and his teammates nodded in agreement, preparing themselves for what seemed to be the last play of the entire game.

Everybody was on the edge of their seats. The next seconds felt like an eternity as they waited for the Shizi Dogs to orchestrate their final play.

Kun dribbled the ball, stalling a little bit of time. Then, he passed to Jet, who was waiting unguarded—or so it seemed.

As the ball left Kun's hands, Zedong intercepted and caught it without any warning.

Kun groaned and quickly followed after him, knowing that his mistake could cost them their game.

Max shook his head as he watched Zedong dribble the ball across the court.

"It's over," he muttered.

Ailun turned to him in surprise. "Are the Xing Stars going to win this game?"

Kai felt a boost of adrenaline course through his veins as he ran after Zedong. He ignored how the hard glue on his shoes was now digging into his feet as he stood in front of the skilled player.

'You again,' Zedong thought, his face hardening with the mere sight of Kai.

He had remained calm for the past two years, and this was the very first time he felt such a way.

It was a game that he poured his everything into.

So, Zedong knew he couldn't afford to lose.

Kai didn't back down as he continued to mirror Zedong's movements, not giving him a chance to surpass him.

Sweat dripped from Zedong's temples, some even occluding his eyesight.

That was when Kai realized he had another advantage.

Zedong had been playing for four quarters. Indeed, he rested for two minutes in the third quarter, but that still doesn't take away the fact that his physical condition wasn't at its prime.

With that in mind, Kai reached his hand to steal the ball away.

"You didn't answer my question," Ailun said, continuously nudging Max's shoulder. "Are the Xing Stars going to win?"

Max's eyebrows furrowed as he continued watching the game, his eyes not leaving the court.

If it was ten seconds ago, then he would be sure—Xing Stars would win the game.

They might not be able to score against the Shizi Dogs in the last quarter, but if they were going to play another five minutes as overtime, then the Xing Stars would definitely win.

However, as Kai snatched the ball away from Zedong's hand, Max's resolve began to crumble.

The ball was still round, and he was now unsure how the game was going to end.

"It's going end two ways," Max began to say.

"Either they're going to go into overtime, and the Xing Stars will win," he started off.

"Or this guy is going to score, and the Shizi Dogs would actually win against the Xing Stars," he continued.

Shang shook his legs in nervousness as he watched the scene unfold before him.

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Zedong was guarding Kai near the half-court line, not letting the younger guy move past it.

"Five seconds!" Lina exclaimed.

Five seconds, yet Kai barely made it past the half-court line.

"Shit," he cursed as he neared the three-point line. However, at that moment, he saw from his peripheral vision that he only had two seconds left.

"Shoot!" Yuze exclaimed.

The others who were watching also shouted the same thing.

Kai bit his lip and tried to position himself for a precise shot. However, that was easier said than done when Zedong was guarding him like the plague.

"He's not going to make it," Ailun muttered.

Max didn't say anything since he was still unsure. The odds were against the Shizi Dogs, yet he somehow believed that anything was possible.

Kai clicked his tongue as he raised the ball above his head. However, Zedong blocked him with his long arms, making him unable to shoot.

So, he did the next best thing that he could.

He dribbled once, moved to the side, and held the ball near his crotch area.

Meanwhile, Zedong tried to block him with his hands by reaching to the side, but at that moment, Kai had already let go of the ball.

"What the heck? Am I seeing things?"

"What type of shot is that?"

"And he's doing that beyond the three-point line?"

Laughter was also heard from the audience, most of them in disbelief at what they were seeing.

"An underhand shot?"

Then, the buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the game.

They watched as the ball soared through the air, seemingly moving in slow motion.

Kai held his breath as he watched the ball circle around the rim.

Then, it happened.

Max's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Anything is possible," he muttered.