Monday, 23 September 1996.

The alarm went off for a long time and no one pressed it, and there was a rumbling sound outside the 204 dormitory, which was the students running to the sink to grab a seat. However, the 204 dormitory was silent, and no one opened the 'door' to come out.

After last Friday's game, the school gave all the Rangers a two-day break, plus Sunday, and they actually had three days off. The back-to-back races have really drained their stamina, and they will soon have to start a new journey.

They haven't touched basketball for the past few days, and almost except for going to the cafeteria to eat, they just come back to sleep and chat. The low 'fan' mood of the last battle has slowly improved. Cheng Fei saved the Rangers, and finally cut off the Rangers, it was really Cheng Fei who was successful, and Cheng Fei who was defeated, but everyone didn't blame him, after all, for Cheng Fei, it was too hard to play the whole game, and the lack of physical strength was also a reason that could not be ignored.

For Lu Guang, the leader of the city's No. 1 Middle School team to turn the tables at the last moment, the rangers generally believe that this is not a trick of Coach Lu. There are many basketball games, when the coach withdraws all the main players and is ready to give up, the substitutes can suddenly turn defeat into victory.

It is a pity to lose to the No. 1 Colonel of Shishi No. 1 Middle School, but Yang Cong's wounded battle and Cheng Fei's gradual maturity have proved that the Rangers are not inferior to any strong team in the Yichang area in terms of strength.

Don't forget, coach Zhang Pingya from the United States has been absent.

This made Wang Baojiang disappointed, but also added a lot of expectations. At the work meeting of the sports department to report to the school leaders, Wang Baojiang also specifically put forward the possibility of Ge Liu being able to create better results, which made the school also get some comfort. Now, the 'draw' ceremony has ended, and there are still six days left before the opening of the competition in Central China.

When the rumbling sound sounded for a long time, Cheng Fei opened his eyes, and the 204 bedroom was bathed in the early morning sun.

He jumped out of bed, stood barefoot in front of the window, looked at the court below, and breathed the crisp air greedily, as if his whole body and mind had been purified. The fatigue of many days has disappeared, and now the whole body is full of infinite power to vigorously and upwardly!

"I'm going to start training today." Wang Zhiwen stood beside Cheng Fei and said.

"Coach Zhang Pingya said that Old Man Zhang's condition is stable and he will train with us." Yang Cong heard the news from the old man Guo from the dormitory management department, "It would be best if you could go to the competition with us." ”

Cheng Fei looked down at his hands. The white and delicate hands of the past are no longer there, but replaced by a pair of strong and powerful, green tendons 'exposed' big hands. It's true that sports can change a person's image.

"I want to learn more tactics, more game skills." Cheng Fei muttered.

"What I'm most worried about now is the result of the 'draw'." Wang Zhiwen said worriedly, "Now we are 'drawing' B lots, and all the champions of the municipal leagues are playing, I really hope not to run into the ...... of Xiangfan No. 4 Middle School."

"'Milk' and 'milk', I met a scared bird!" Liu Junfeng jumped down from the top bunk, "People should kill, Buddha blocks and kills Buddha!" ”

"You can blow it!" Wang Zhiwen said with a smile, "To be honest, losing to the Colonel of City No. 1 Middle School a few days ago always made me feel ashamed, feeling sorry for Ge Liu, sorry for Wang Baojiang." Alas, I really want to play now, and I can pass a few more rounds before I can 'deliver'! ”

"It's not so easy," Deng Liang also got up, "Even the city's No. 1 middle school team has never broken through the first round, which shows that in addition to the Yichang area, other regions are also full of talents, and the masters are like clouds." I think it would be nice if we could make it past the first round. ”

The Rangers chattered, washed up, and then picked up their long-lost school bags and went to their classrooms.

As soon as Cheng Fei and Zhang Yulai entered the classroom of the first class of the second year of high school, some people immediately applauded, and then the whole class applauded, and Cheng Fei was embarrassed to 'get' him. He waved his hand, smiled, and found a seat and sat down. Since the beginning of the sophomore semester of high school, he has always been busy with the league, and he is a little unfamiliar with the classmates around him.

"What a cow!" Thumbs up from your tablemates.

Cheng Fei scratched the back of his head, smiled, glanced behind his eyes unconsciously, and his heart suddenly jumped.

Yu Jing sat there, didn't look at him, his face was pale, and even his lips were pale. She is unusual, she has no makeup, she has no face, she does not wear beautiful clothes, she doesn't even take care of her hair, and her 'spirit' is very bad. There seemed to be a little tear in those eyes.

Cheng Fei's heart was sour, his emotions suddenly cooled down, and he no longer laughed with others.

For the first time, he wanted to leave the classroom, to leave this uncomfortable place.

*****************

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the Rangers streamed out of the classrooms and headed straight for the gymnasium.

Their training is about to begin.

When the rangers walked into the basketball hall on the second floor, they found that Wang Baojiang and Zhang Pingya were standing together, talking and laughing, and they were in a very relaxed mood. I haven't seen Zhang Pingya for a long time, and the rangers are a little missed, and everyone stepped forward to say hello.

"You guys played very well, I heard what Mr. Wang said." Zhang Pingya smiled brightly, "In the end, there was a little situation. ”

"It's all my fault." Cheng Fei lowered his head and sighed.

"It's my fault." Wang Zhiwen said.

Zhang Pingya patted Cheng Fei and Wang Zhiwen on the shoulders and said with a smile: "Now is not the time for you to take responsibility, no matter how good a player is, he will make mistakes, and the more critical the moment, the easier it is to make mistakes." When I was leading the University of Houston team, I played in the 1994 Texas Cup semifinals, leading by 20 points in the first three quarters, and then completely collapsed in the final quarter and lost. Winning or losing a game is caused by a variety of factors, and all we have to do is learn from it and don't make the same mistake next time. ”

"Yes!" The Rangers replied in unison.

"You guys are too restrained, my father is very serious!" Zhang Pingya said with a smile, "Don't say a word from me, you just shout 'yes', everyone is a friend, take it easy." ”

"Yes!" The Rangers had just finished shouting, and they all laughed again.

"Good!" Wang Baojiang said, "Coach Zhang is finished, I should report a good news to everyone!" The wrinkles on his face were stretched, and there was good news. Wang Baojiang rushed to Wuhan on Saturday to 'draw' lots, and only returned this morning.

"Didn't you 'draw' to Xiangfan No. 4 Middle School?" Wang Zhiwen asked impatiently.

"I'm afraid of a bird!" Liu Junfeng pulled back Wang Zhiwen unhappily, "Whoever 'smokes' will fight the same!" ”

"yes!" Wang Baojiang said with a full face in the spring, "But one less round against a strong opponent, you can go one more step of hope, this year there are a total of 64 teams participating in the competition in Central China, because there are too many participating teams, so the elimination system is adopted, up to six games can be played, and the promotion quota in Central China will be decided!" ”

"Two places?" Cheng Fei asked.

Wang Baojiang stretched out his index finger and said, "One place." ”

"It's cruel!" Wang Zhiwen shook his head, "Only one of the sixty-four teams can qualify, how many schools are looking forward to such a competition, how many outstanding players, and some may be buried before they can play." ”

"Competitive sports are so cruel!" Wang Baojiang said.

"Actually, it's 'quite fun'." Zhang Pingya said with a smile, "Being able to meet the masters of so many places across the country, I think it's 'quite interesting'." Moreover, everyone doesn't know each other if they don't fight, and they don't know anyone before they fight. It's much better than the competitions I've participated in before, watching the videos every day, studying the countermeasures, setting up the details. You are now chivalrous, break into the world, and you must have a heroic spirit! ”

Unexpectedly, Zhang Pingya, who had been in the United States for so many years, actually said something quite chivalrous and proud, and the confidence of the rangers suddenly increased when he heard it, and the previous fear was swept away!

"Our opponent in the first round ......" Wang Baojiang pondered for a moment and said, "It is the No. 1 Longquan High School in the Jing'men' area. ”

Jing 'Gate' City. It is a mountain city, surrounded by mountains on three sides, with strong winds and verdant trees, about 120 miles from Yichang City. Speaking of this city, Cheng Fei couldn't be more familiar with them. Most of the Rangers were born in Jingmen. Although they have never regarded themselves as Jing 'Men' people, it is their hometown after all, and the opponent in the first round of the competition turned out to be Longquan Middle School, a well-known provincial key high school from Jing 'Men', which made Cheng Fei and them all very emotional.

"I've been to that place," Cheng Fei said, "and the campus is 'very' beautiful, like a very classical garden." ”

"Their basketball level is so-so," Wang Zhiwen is most concerned about, of course, on the court, "I have been there to play, and I have not met any masters." They are the first in the Jing'men' area, I really didn't expect it! ”

"Weaker teams." A smile appeared on Yang Cong's face, "We have a record-breaking show!" ”

"That's luck!" Wang Baojiang said, "Of course, you can't take it lightly. In the high schools in the Jing'men' area, although the general basketball level is not high, it is possible to produce one or two wizards. ”

"Don't worry, Mr. Wang!" Cheng Fei said, "We won't underestimate the enemy." ”

"Does Mr. Wang know which team they 'draw' from Yichang No. 1 Middle School?" Deng Liang asked curiously.

Wang Baojiang's face sank slightly. Although in the Yichang area, Gezhouba No. 6 Middle School and Yichang No. 1 Middle School are fierce rivals in basketball and teaching, and they have always been incompatible, but they also represent Yichang to qualify, making the former opponents also become brothers. If we can meet in the Central China competition, of course, it will be the most interesting thing.

Seeing that Wang Baojiang's face was not very good-looking, everyone was a little puzzled.

"If you want to say, there is really such a thing as luck in the world...... Wang Baojiang said slowly, "When I went to Wuhan City to 'draw' lots, Mr. Lu was two places in front of me, and the result was ...... in the 'draw'."

The Rangers' eyes widened.

"Xiangfan No. 4 Middle School." Wang Baojiang sighed.

"Huh?" Everyone shouted loudly. Cheng Fei and his brothers looked at each other, dumbfounded. No one expected that Yichang No. 1 Middle School would be able to 'draw' the strongest team in the province and even Central China Xiangfan No. 4 Middle School with the first place, which is the third consecutive year that it has been 'drawn' to Xiangfan No. 4 Middle School!

"It's impossible," Cheng Fei said, "unless, unless, unless......"

Wang Baojiang nodded: "Xiangfan No. 4 Middle School is the second place in the Xiangfan area, and they are the same as us, they are B signs!" ”

Yang Cong was also dumbfounded: "Didn't you say that they are very strong?" Could it be that there is anyone stronger than them in Xiangfan? ”

"No," Wang Baojiang shook his head and said, "At the end of this summer vacation, four main players from Xiangfan No. 4 were seconded to the Chinese youth national team and went to Europe to play friendly matches. That is, to participate in an intercontinental basketball 'exchange' league. The rest of their players participated in the qualifying tournament and lost to Xiangfan No. 9 Middle School in the last game, so they took second place. ”

"That's amazing!" Wang Zhiwen's tone was full of envy, "Four players have entered the national team and gone to Europe to play, it's amazing, it's amazing!" ”

Yang Cong gasped: "Damn!" This kind of team is terrible! ”

Cheng Fei frowned deeply and said: "The most terrifying thing is that they only have one main force, but they can still get the qualification for promotion......"

Zhang Pingya nodded: "You can see the gap between Xiangfan No. 4 Middle School and other teams from this point, their style of play is holistic and mature." On the other hand, their bench players are also strong and balanced. This kind of team is the most difficult to deal with. ”

Everyone's hearts couldn't help but pound. Liu Junfeng, who was not afraid of the sky and the earth before, is no longer squeaky at the moment.

"Are they all back? The four main players? Wang Zhiwen asked.

Wang Baojiang nodded: "I came back yesterday, and I should be training now." ”

Liu Junfeng muttered: "It's over." ”

The rangers did not show a look of schadenfreude, it stands to reason that the colonel of the No. 1 Middle School in the city did not know which way they had offended, and they had been 'drawn' to Xiangfan No. 4 Middle School for three consecutive years, and they could even bump into it this time, which is really a miracle in the world! They also sweated for the city No. 1 middle school team, in the face of a strong team of this level, the probability of entering the next round is indeed very small......

What made Wang Baojiang relieved was that the strength of Xiangfan No. 4 Middle School did not hit the morale of Cheng Fei and others. In the next 'sex' training, they worked hard one by one, sweating like rain, and even more serious than before!

Because they know that if they want to make an impact on the national league, they will have to face this strong opponent......

*********************

Sunday, 29 September 1996.

There is a school bus parked downstairs in the dormitory. This is no longer the old bus that carried the Rangers around the high schools in Yichang City before, but a brand-new imported bus. At that time, Cheng Fei and the others all took a tattered train to and from Yichang, when did they take such a high-end long-distance bus!

The car has toilets, water dispensers, leather seats, and air conditioning. Originally, this car was used by school leaders or teachers when they went out to study. Now, Ge Liu has finally entered the national league, and he wants to go to Wuhan City to participate in the league in Central China, of course, he can't lose his share, which is also an encouragement and affirmation for the Rangers.

Cheng Fei and the others twisted around in their seats excitedly, looking here, 'touching' and 'touching' there, just like Grandma Liu entered the Grand View Garden, looking like a "soil bun". Wang Baojiang and Zhang Pingya were talking about something seriously.

The car drove towards the big 'gate' of the sixth middle school. In front of the dormitory building, a group of people who bid farewell to Cheng Fei and them included Hu Haitao, a senior from the cement factory, and 'Mao' Huan, as well as other classmates who were not very familiar with the rangers. This time, the Rangers are going to Wuhan to play a game, which undoubtedly earns enough face for the brothers in the cement factory.

Cheng Fei was giggling and laughing with Yang Cong, when the bus suddenly braked suddenly!

Wang Baojiang opened the window glass and shouted, "What are you doing?" Where are you going to stand in the way and cry out? ”

Cheng Fei took a look at it, and it was actually Yu Yang!

Yu Yang grinned, waved his arms, and ran into the car panting: "Don't lose me, I'm your most loyal football fan!" Without me, you wouldn't be able to fight! ”

Wang Baojiang laughed: "You are our hero, and intelligence has played a great role!" For the sake of your great contribution, I make an exception to allow you to go in the same car without charging your fare! ”

Yu Yang smiled and saluted Wang Baojiang: "Thank you, Mr. Wang!" ”

A group of eleven people headed for Wuhan. Along the way, everyone was very 'excited', sometimes discussing the strange city outside the car, sometimes pestering Zhang Pingya to talk about the American college team, and even wanting to know more about the NBA. Zhang Pingya is also responsive, and often tells jokes to make everyone laugh.

After seven hours of bumpy driving, the car finally drove into Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province!

The wide roads and tall buildings here really feast Cheng Fei's eyes. The dense flow of people is bustling on the streets, and the traffic is coming and going, which is very lively! This thoroughfare of nine provinces, a modern metropolis, is the host of the National High School Basketball League in Central China, just today and tomorrow, there will be 64 teams from dozens of cities in four provinces to come here to fight hard for the dream of the National Basketball League!

When Cheng Fei settled in the guest house arranged by the organizing committee of the event, and then had dinner, it was already eight o'clock in the night. After Cheng Fei cleaned up, he picked up the toiletries and walked to the public bathroom at the end of the corridor.

Cheng Fei thought it was Liu Junfeng making trouble, and was looking back angrily, when he suddenly saw a familiar face.

It's Zhang Xiaodi.

Cheng Fei was stunned for a moment, waved the toothbrush in his hand, and said "hi", which was regarded as a greeting.

Zhang Xiaodi walked to the faucet next to him, began to put water into the tank, and said, "I really didn't expect that we would have to play the first round with Xiangfan No. 4 Middle School again." You've heard, right? ”

Cheng Fei nodded. Although he felt pity for the other party, he was not easy to show it.

"I beat Lu Guang up hard yesterday." Zhang Xiaodi winked mischievously at Cheng Fei, "But looking at his performance, I think there is still hope for us to play Xiangfan No. 4 Middle School this year, don't you say?" ”

"Yes!" Cheng Fei's 'chest' swelled with pride, "We will meet in the league!" ”

Zhang Xiaodi grinned. Suddenly, his face suddenly darkened, and he said in a low voice: "If we have to go home tomorrow, the rest of the game will depend on you." He patted Cheng Fei's shoulder hard, "Brother, come on!" ”