June 1st, Saturday. The day of the prelims.
I was experiencing culture shock on multiple levels.
In my previous life, I never thought my environment was great. Our soccer team was poor, and I saw myself as a dragon rising from the mud in that tough setting.
But now I realized just how spoiled that mindset had been.
At least we had a team bus back then.
Here, it was like, "Of course there's no such thing"—players had to get to the venue on their own.
Meals were on the players too, and even the supervising math teacher tagging along was grimacing like he'd been saddled with a hassle.
The players were scheming like it was a field trip, huddling up about hitting the amusement park in Jamsil after it ended.
This isn't a sports team...
What shocked me even more was the number of teams in the prelims.
There were already 12 elite basketball teams that had advanced directly to the main tournament.
To fill the round of 16, they needed 4 more from prelims—and there were only 10 teams total in the prelims.
I asked why there were so few, and Chang-min just shrugged.
"It takes forever to come up to Seoul, and transportation costs a ton. That's why local kids don't show for Seoul tournaments."
"They skip nationals over that?"
I must've looked stunned because he quickly added, not wanting a misunderstanding.
"Locals barely have one or two decent high school teams anyway. And those suck up all the talent, making them pretty strong."
So, "local basketball team" usually meant powerhouse.
"But those guys advance straight to mains anyway. Half the 12 main teams are probably locals, from what I hear. Strip them out, and there's nothing left worth a damn in those areas. Even if there is, they'd get stomped quick, so why waste time and money trekking to Seoul?"
Sure enough, 8 of today's 10 prelim teams were from the capital area.
I get the situation, but...
Even so, for nationals to look like this?
But that wasn't all.
"Sigh... We're in the same boat, right?"
Just a school close by, trying prelims on a whim.
But Chang-min shook his head ambiguously.
"We're a bit different. We've got some sneaky talent."
"...?"
"You'll see. Anyway, here's your uniform."
Chang-min handed over a red uniform. The design was...
"North San jerseys?"
"Crazy, right? Teacher said we could order our own, so we went for it on purpose."
"You guys are serious about the concept..."
The number on the back was 13, taped on with black tape.
"Alright, let's go. ...Hey, you lunatics! Save the amusement park talk for after!"
Inside Jamsil Gymnasium, a few players from participating teams dotted the place. No schedule set yet, so zero crowd.
At 1:30, as players arrived, the organizer clapped and yelled.
"Time to draw lots! Coaches to courtside! Supervising teacher or team captain's fine if no coach!"
Chang-min went up for us.
With 10 gathered, the organizer said,
"As announced yesterday: Play one round, top 5 winners advance—highest 3 by point differential go straight to mains. Last 2 play tomorrow. Draw your lots."
Coaches and captains drew one by one.
Chang-min drew first and called out.
"Number 2!"
"Got it. First match, so warm up now."
First game. Chang-min grinned like it was perfect—quick finish. But he froze seeing the name in slot 1.
[Danseong High School]
Back with us, Chang-min looked defeated.
"Sorry, we're screwed."
The others razzed him with jokes at "Danseong High."
"Aw, man, now we finish quick and hit the park sooner! Hurry and warm up!"
They headed to court, chill as ever—no pressure.
I swapped shoes and joined. Strong opponent, but whatever.
Just happy for real action.
And now I'm confident even in warm-up shooting.
Last tryout was a disaster, but not anymore.
"Hey! Pass me the ball!"
From the three-point line, deep breath, jump.
Balanced upper and lower body. Kyle Korver form drilled thousands of times.
At jump peak, elbow range and wrist snap push the ball smooth to apex.
Perfect! Feeling good!
Still rimmed out—ting! Long way to go.
Ting! Thwack! Ting! Thwack! Ting! But 2 out of 5 went in.
40% success. Above average even for games, but pros hit 80% in practice. Embarrassing to brag.
At least no airballs now.
Satisfied with shooting practice—
"...?"
Unfamiliar face on our court.
Thought Danseong player wandered from theirs. 191cm, balanced build, pretty-boy looks.
He slipped in, shot silently, then stripped off his white tee—sweating.
Revealed red jersey, number 7.
One of ours?
Others ignored him casually—familiar, passing for warm-ups.
"...Hey, who's that?"
Chang-min slapped his forehead.
"Oh right, you haven't met. He bolts to basketball academy after 4th period, unlike me."
One of the two pro hopefuls with Chang-min.
"Told you last time? We've got Han-na, So-yeon, and Seo Taewoong."
Chang-min grinned meaningfully.
"That's him. Seo Taewoong."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇The Ssangyong Cup National Boys' and Girls' Basketball Tournament prelims kicked off in earnest.
Mains featured the top national schools, but prelims had sights too.
College coaches dotted the stands, eyes on four teams.
Uijeongbu's Danseong High. Dongducheon's Iwon Technical High. Anyang's Poil High. Suwon's Sangwon High.
Minus Sangwon, the three had mains-level skill— just prelimmed for lack of record.
Danseong first up was welcome; facing Sangwon High doubled the intrigue.
Sungkyun University coach Lee Won-il eyed Sangwon's players, gleaming.
He spotted Kim Chang-min rallying pre-tip.
Passed other offers to stick with Sangwon. Skipping team glory for personal grind and step-up...
Efficient for real talent.
Pro path cared about college, not high school records.
And one more.
He zeroed on the stoic player rightward.
Shin Subin! Monster prospect, top 3 middle school baller!
Despite that, ditched elite scouts to join fresh Sangwon club with buddies—indoor gym just built.
But support dried up; friends quit for studies, leaving only Chang-min.
Kept solo training, huh. Let's see the growth.
Beep! Whistle blew.
Sangwon's center Jo Cheol-hoon tapped jump ball; Chang-min snagged the loose one.
"Seong-hyun-jun, nice! Keep it up!"
Point guard Chang-min orchestrated.
"Baekho and Dae-man, swing to the wing! Hyun-jun, screen like we planned! ...Okay! That's it!"
Efficient hero ball setup.
Center Jo Cheol-hoon screened off-ball at right 45°, pinning Shin Subin's defender, then rolled to hoop.
Subin's small forward chased baseline; Subin popped top, matched on center.
Chang-min fed; spaced left 45°. Subin iso'd top vs. center.
"Hoo! Hoo...!"
"..."
Center tensed; Subin studied silently.
Thump! Thump! Rhythmic dribble, shake left-right, bang!—bold drive right side.
Short corner help came; Subin used 192cm frame and leap, laid through contact.
Beep!
Defensive foul, and-one. Lee Won-il shot up.
Beautiful!
Speed, skill, power—perfect drive.
Danseong coach frowned, impressed.
Splash! Free throw good: 3-0 Sangwon lead.
Danseong countered.
Classic center ball: 202cm stud Lee Sang-ho posted short corner, demanded. PG entry pass; backdown crushed Jo Cheol-hoon with power and skill for score.
Lee Sang-ho's a beast too. Danseong edges long run.
Subin's drive exploited mismatch; Sang-ho bullied same-position foe raw.
No Sangwon big could stop backdown.
Deny entry or double— but Danseong's team D outclassed.
Subin's counter? Simple.
"Focus! That hero ball's nothing!"
Block Subin multiple ways.
Fight or slide through screen: no mismatch, iso flops.
Subin powered through anyway—but no mismatch meant quick help from Sang-ho, tough finish.
"Ngh...!"
Forced scoop layup missed; turnover.
Danseong posted Sang-ho again.
"Hrah!"
Boom!! Two-hand dunk shook the gym.
"Whoa!!"
"No joke?"
Awe rippled. 4-3 Danseong lead.
Sangwon reset iso for Subin; Danseong adjusted slick.
Screech! Squeak! Screen bypassed; defender glued to Subin.
But—bang! Bullet bounce pass to hoop.
While eyes on Subin, power forward Park Jin-hyuk backdoor cut corner, easy finish.
Chang-min grinned, yelled,
"Two points is two points, yo!"
Clever pass repaid flash dunk.
Chang-min diversified routes; Danseong couldn't tunnel Subin.
Chang-min's solid too.
Game tight. 1Q, 5:10: 14-11, mere 3-point gap.
But that's it.
Depth tells. Boom!! Sang-ho dunk: 16-11 Danseong.
Sangwon timeout, subbed rest: exhausted Jo Cheol-hoon (Sang-ho duty), gassed Subin.
Subin gritted, "I can keep going!"
Chang-min shrugged. "You're our undisputed 1-option—obviously. Two-min breather, hydrate. Hyun-jun, good work. Monster matchup, don't sweat it."
Bench Sangwon subs: Lee Seojun, Choi Min-ho.
Danseong kept starters, Sang-ho stayed.
Lee Won-il shook head.
Done. Game over here.
Spot on. Game broke—from this point.
Only surprise: Danseong imploded.
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Read 31 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!
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