Rebound: A 2nd Chance

Chapter 125 - Rematch, A Battle In The Paint

This time around Nashton Academy ran a pick and roll play with their Point Guard and 3D. But as good as 3D was at setting screens Jason easily went under it before quickly sticking back to his defensive assignment.

The amount of space Jason allowed between him and his defensive assignment was small and the length of time where that space was available was short as well.

The Point Guard had no chance to get a shot off using the screen. 3D made his way back down to the post as they tried to run another play.

Nashton Academy tried to run some off ball screens but with Jason directing the defense they were able to prevent any open looks.

3D waved off his teammates as he decided to go one on one against Kyle again. He began backing down Kyle.

Kyle tried his best to fight against 3D's physicality but after a few seconds he found himself getting closer and closer to the basket.

3D gave one last push before turning over his right shoulder for left handed hook shot. The push forced Kyle back but he was able to recover as he jumped forward and extended his arm out.

Despite Kyle's contest 3D got the ball to the rim safely. The ball bounced around the rim before falling back down.

Kyle boxed out 3D as he watched the ball. As soon as he saw it coming back down he got ready to jump for the rebound.

But before he could leave the ground he felt himself being moved out of position. 3D pushed him out of the way with his hip as he chased after the rebound.

Kyle reached for the ball but with being in such a bad position all he could do was watch helplessly as 3D snatched up the ball.

He was about to put the ball back up for another shot but before he could even raise his arms he felt the ball disappear from his hands.

3D looked down and saw that Jason had stolen the ball from him and was now running to the other side.

Before Jason could even get out into the perimeter a defender reached in trying to steal the ball away.

Jason bounced the ball through the defenders legs before running to get the ball back. Jason looked up and saw that Trell had a clear line to the basket.

Jason yelled out "Trell!" before throwing a laser of a pass. Trell didn't have to slow down as the ball reached his hands mid stride.

Trell measured the distance from the basket and as soon as he saw that he was close enough he planted both of his feet before leaping into the air.

Trell slammed the ball toward the basket with both of his hands. Afterwards he came back down to the ground as he bent his knee's to absorb the impact.

Trell flexed to the crowd before making his way back on defense. He smiled as he pointed to Jason to acknowledge the assist.

The game was neck and neck as Jefferson scored off of a fast paced offense that took advantage of their athleticism and shooting.

As Trell and Kyle helped to push the pace with their speed on the fast break while Jason and Matt helped with their ability to quickly get a shot off from the perimeter. 

On defense although Kyle was doing his best to defend 3D and was able to cause him some difficulty in the post they still weren't able to build much of a lead because of 3D's amazing ability to grab the offensive rebound.

It was just too much for Kyle to defend 3D in the post and then have to fight for the rebound.

All the second chance points that 3D was able to put on the board caused the game to be so close.

As the quarter neared the halfway point Jefferson was barely in the lead as the score was 18-16

And the scariest part was that 14 out of the 16 points that Nashton Academy had scored was done by 3D himself.

Jason crossed his arms as he called for a timeout. The players all walked toward their respective benches.

Kyle took a seat and then punched the cushion of the chair next to him "Fuck!" The frustration was clear as day on Kyle's face.

His breathing was labored as drops of sweat fell from the curls on his head. Jason walked over and put his hand on Kyle's shoulder.

"Bro you've been doing a great job of guarding 3D. You don't need to be so pissed." Kyle angrily shook his head.

"I've been doing a great job? The fat ass scored most of his teams points! Everyone else is doing their job and guarding their mans and I'm the only one who can't fucking do that!"

Jason was surprised by Kyle's outburst. This was the most emotional he had ever seen him behave. Even in their first go around with Nashton Academy Kyle hadn't been as frustrated as this.

As Jason was thinking of what to say Trell walked over and poured some ice cold water from his sports bottle on to Kyle's head.

Kyle angrily turned around to Trell "What the fuck man!" Trell just smiled "So this is how I looked when we played against Verde Gardens huh?"

Kyle was surprised by what Trell had said. Trell kept on smiling "You know how stupid I made myself look so don't do the same shit to yourself bruh.

Besides, you normally be smiling like a goofball. This angry shit is outta character for you and it don't match you."

Kyle paused for a second before taking a deep breathe. He then wiped himself dry with his towel before smiling at Trell and Jason.

"You're right Trell. Being pissed just doesn't match well with me. I guess I just got angry from being scored on so much. I'm good now."

Jason was happy to see that the situation was able to resolve itself. Jason playfully punched Trell on the arm.

"Look at you man. I never thought I would see the day where you would be the one cooling someone else down. You normally the hottest head in the room bro."

Trell playfully knocked Jason on the head for revenge as he smiled "Shut yo smart ass up." Trell then took a seat and focused on resting.

Jason took a look at Nashton Academy's bench and saw that 3D was dumping his water from his sports bottle on to his head.

Seeing this Jason smiled 'Looks like our plan worked. We didn't do all that running for nothing. With 3D out it should be easy for us to build a lead.'

As the timeout ended Jason stayed in the lineup while Trell and Kyle got subbed out for Nick and Vince.

With Jason at Point Guard, Matt at Shooting Guard, Nick at Small Forward, Vince at Power Forward, and Udonis at Center Jefferson made their way back to the court.

As for Nashton Academy 3D was still on the bench as his team went back out to the court. Udonis inbounded the ball to Jason.

Jason crossed half court and called for a screen from Udonis. Instead of driving to the paint off of the screen Jason used it in an attempt to get open on the perimeter.

This forced the opposing team's Big to switch out on to Jason as the guard then switched on to Udonis as he rolled toward the basket.

Jason saw this and lobbed the ball overhead to Udonis at a height where the guard could not reach it.

Udonis caught the pass and as he approached the paint he spun to the right. This sudden move allowed him to get around the guard that was defending him before laying up the ball.

Udonis smiled as he pointed to Jason. On defense Jefferson was able to do a much better job at containing Nashton Academy without 3D's interior presence there to pressure them.

While on offense Jason did a good job of getting everyone involved as he ran the playbook and found the open man.

Nashton Academy had their hands full trying to chase Nick and Matt as they ran around the court, coming off screens, and cut to the basket.

Udonis would occasionally take matters into his own hands as Jason would start off some of the possessions with a Udonis post up.

Udonis was able to get a few buckets with his offensive post moves but he was also able to play make from the post as he found the open man on a few occasions.

The quarter ended as Jefferson was able to build a bit of a lead with a score of 34-22. Jason made his way to the bench along with the other guys.

Jason gulped down the water from his sports bottle before pouring some of it over his head. The ice cold sensation was refreshing after having to play the whole first quarter.

As the break was just about done Jason was surprised to see that on Nashton Academy's bench it looked like 3D was getting ready to start the 2nd quarter.

'No way! He recovered already?!'