Chapter 78: Semifinals (Part Four)

The first semifinal of the National High School Basketball League had come to an end. While Yangcheng High School claimed victory, everyone remembered the boy from the grasslands named Tiramisu, as well as the team from Jiangyuan High that fought to the last breath.

They dared to play, dared to fight, never gave up, and completed their free throws dragging cramped legs.

This was the spirit of sports!
This was the passion of competition!
This was the allure of basketball!

That day, discussions online ran ceaselessly, and the video of Tiramisu suffering a second cramp while shooting a free throw spread like wildfire.

Many sports enthusiasts left comments below the video:

"Though you lost this game, you played with the flair of the grasslands! With a bold and heroic spirit! Fight again next year!"

"I usually love watching basketball and football, but I always thought football was more thrilling. After watching this video, I’ve decided: from now on, I’ll follow the high school basketball league!"

"I never thought a high school basketball game could move me so deeply. Their courage and fighting spirit make me feel that Chinese basketball is about to rise again!"

...

Resting at the hotel, Lin Nan suddenly thought of a question.

Reflecting on today’s game, he realized that if Wang Shiying hadn’t held back his strength, and if the players on Jiangyuan High’s team had undergone a year of herbal baths like himself, perhaps the outcome would have been different.

In that light, Yangcheng High was not invincible after all.

Lin Nan smiled, once again grateful to his father and the miraculous Chinese herbs.

Ever since he’d kept up the herbal baths for several months, no matter how intense his training or how long he played, Lin Nan had never cramped up again.

At the very least, he wouldn’t have to worry about losing a match in the same unwilling fashion as Tiramisu.

Of course, Lin Nan felt more confident and trusted his teammates even more. He was certain they could win the championship!

That night, the team from Qingshui No. 1 High all went to bed early, saving their energy for the game the next day.

Meanwhile, Li Chuan and other members of the fan group, tickets in hand, had just landed and checked into a nearby hotel.

Lin Lang, also staying at a hotel, considered calling Lin Nan but ultimately decided to wait until the finals to cheer him on. He believed Qingshui No. 1 should be able to take the semifinals.

He also felt that a young man should learn independence early.

As Lin Nan was growing up, Lin Lang knew that he wouldn’t always be by his son’s side and intended to travel the world with Ye Xinlan, doing public service.

Lin Nan would have his own ideas, and Lin Lang would let him handle things himself as much as possible.

So far, Lin Lang was gratified—Lin Nan was managing well on his own.

Of course, home would always be his haven, and should he ever face confusion or difficulties he couldn’t solve, Lin Nan could always turn to him for help.

...

The next day, at two in the afternoon.

The match between Qingshui No. 1 and Dongshan High finally arrived—a contest between the South and North.

Just like the day before, the stadium was packed, the atmosphere even livelier.

Though Lin Nan ranked second on the overall scoring list, his popularity was indisputably number one.

After all, a small-sized player with the ability to break through, shoot, and dunk was a rare sight, especially in China.

Lin Nan’s popularity among the audience was reminiscent of Iverson’s rookie days.

A peak from the very beginning.

Some attentive fans noticed that in half a year, Lin Nan seemed to have grown from 178 to 180 centimeters. At this rate, he’d soon reach 183—just as tall as his idol.

As Lin Nan took the court, he noticed some of his teammates were a bit nervous. Mischievously, he made a gesture to the crowd—cupping his right hand to his ear as if listening.

At that moment, the camera caught Lin Nan.

The crowd from the South instantly understood and erupted in thunderous cheers.

On the commentary platform, Yang Yi chuckled, “It seems Qingshui No. 1’s popular star Lin Nan lives up to his reputation. But in truth, his strength is not to be underestimated—he deserves such a cheer.”

Hearing this, the Northern audience felt displeased.

What’s with all this swagger?
You haven’t even won yet. Do you think victory is in the bag?

But the Southern fans didn’t see Lin Nan as arrogant—rather, it was a show of confidence.

Besides, this was the spirit of young men! Youth is meant to be a bit wild!

In the NBA, what star didn’t walk onto the stage exuding confidence?

Better to strike boldly than to shrink away.

When Dongshan High’s core player, Gao Shantai, entered, the Northern stands erupted just as wildly.

Soon, the game began, and both teams took the court.

Qingshui No. 1’s starting lineup: Lin Nan, Zhao Zhongshi, Jiu Wu, Screw, and Zhu Bo.

Dongshan High’s starters: Gao Shantai, Wang Tiezhu, Xu Zhanpeng, Chen Yutian, and Wu Qiong.

Each name sounded mightier than the last.

The tallest, Gao Shantai, stood at 2.07 meters. Even the shortest, Wu Qiong, was 1.95 meters.

Each player looked like a giant, their youth making the scene feel a bit jarring.

Southern fans had heard of Dongshan High’s reputation for height but hadn’t expected such giants.

Standing next to Qingshui No. 1, the contrast was plain as day—like adults playing children.

Fans of Qingshui No. 1 couldn’t help but worry for their team.

Li Chuan, however, had full faith in Lin Nan. Laughing, he said to his friend, “Doesn’t this feel like an AI vs. KO matchup? But the other side doesn’t have Kobe, and we’ve got Zhao Zhongshi. I’m sure we’ll win!”

His friend, glancing at the court, had to agree. His heavy mood lightened immediately. “You’re right, we’re sure to win!”

The referee’s whistle blew, and it was time for the tip-off.

Jiu Wu, now 198 centimeters tall, stood at center court beside the 2.07-meter Gao Shantai.

For the first time, he faced an opponent with such a height advantage in a jump ball.

But Jiu Wu was no longer the rookie he once was. After so many matches, he had grown steady, showing no fear as he readied his stance and focused on the referee.

Yet a nearly 10-centimeter difference was insurmountable. As soon as the referee tossed the ball, while Jiu Wu had just left the ground, Gao Shantai had already tapped it to his teammate.

Qingshui No. 1 quickly fell back on defense while Dongshan High pressed forward.

Fast breaks weren’t Dongshan’s style.

Their point guard, Wu Qiong, at 1.95 meters, would be common in the NBA but was rare in China.

Lin Nan stepped up, attempting to use his speed to steal, but soon realized Wu Qiong handled the ball well.

Clearly, he had put in the work, so Lin Nan decided not to risk another attempt.

Wu Qiong, holding the ball, faced Lin Nan, the shorter, popular player, but chose not to go one-on-one.

Instead, as his teammates closed in under the basket, he sent a high pass.

The ball soared toward Wang Tiezhu, guarded by Screw.

Screw wanted to leap and intercept, but the pass was so well-placed he’d have to move back to reach it.

But when he tried to retreat, he found Wang Tiezhu behind him, as immovable as his name suggested, blocking every step.

And so, the ball fell easily into Wang Tiezhu’s hands. With a quick turn, he banked in a layup—effortless.

Under the basket, Jiu Wu was held in place by Gao Shantai, unable to move, unable to help.

Lin Nan was reminded of his early days at the community gym, playing with older men who used their bodies to dominate with high passes.

He couldn’t help but think how crucial height was in basketball.

But while height was a gift from above, victory had to be earned.

Receiving the inbound from Zhu Bo, Lin Nan quickly dribbled upcourt.

Wu Qiong was on defense.

Lin Nan executed a series of between-the-legs crossovers, his ball-handling skills on full display. Each feint and move was flawless.

Wu Qiong felt Lin Nan could break through or shoot at any moment. His defensive footwork became a mess; he lost track of his own balance.

Lin Nan seized the chance, performed a quick hesitation, then exploded to the right.

Wu Qiong couldn’t keep up; his body tumbled to the floor.

Lin Nan immediately pulled up for a jump shot and scored two points, tying the game.

“He broke his ankles!”

“Lin Nan just crossed him up, ha!”

The Southern stands erupted in cheers.

The happiest of all was Li Chuan, who grinned at his friend, “Iverson is here—no, it’s Nan God!”

On the commentary platform, Yang Yi also broke into a smile. Truthfully, such brilliant plays were rare in domestic games.

But, maintaining neutrality, he commented, “That was an excellent play by Lin Nan—so crisp and smooth. After shaking his defender, he scored right away.”

Wu Qiong, dazed, picked himself up from the floor. In that encounter, he truly felt Lin Nan’s offensive pressure.

He knew it was a feint, but he simply couldn’t control his body.

Just like how everyone knew Iverson would break right, yet countless defenders had earned him the title of “ankle-breaker.”

Wu Qiong began to doubt himself. The game had only just started, and he’d already been crossed up. How could he continue? How could he defend?

At that moment, Gao Shantai walked over and said to him, “Lin Nan is strong, but remember—our advantage is height. Just follow the coach’s tactics. Are you giving up this easily? Don’t you want the championship?”

The straightforward words of his northern teammate snapped Wu Qiong back to his senses.

“I don’t want to lose. I want the championship!”

Receiving the inbound, Wu Qiong pressed forward again.

His mind gradually calmed. Facing Lin Nan’s defense and the taunts from the Southern stands, Wu Qiong didn’t go one-on-one to save face but instead passed inside to Wang Tiezhu.

Wang Tiezhu tried to use the same trick again, but this time Jiu Wu wasn’t boxed out and came over to help.

Wang Tiezhu understood instantly and passed to Gao Shantai under the basket.

Gao Shantai leaped, caught the ball mid-air, and—bang!—smashed a dunk through the hoop.

Like a great shark descending on its prey, ferocious and brutal.

Gao Shantai hung on the rim for two seconds before letting go, leaving the basket quivering.

Instantly, the Northern stands erupted:

“Gao Shantai!”

“Gao Shantai!”

Yang Yi laughed into the microphone, “Both sides are starting to play to their strengths now!”