The referee glanced at both centers, confirmed they were set, then tossed the ball high into the air.
The game had begun.
Takasago leapt with all his might, but the 10-centimeter advantage of Uozumi was insurmountable. Ryonan claimed the opening possession, and Kainan's defense would be tested first.
"Oh! As expected of Monkey Boss—so reliable!" Sakuragi gaped in exaggerated awe.
Mitsui smirked, resting his chin on his hand. "Of course. How could Takasago possibly contend with Uozumi, who's on par with Akagi?"
Akagi gave a sharp snort, clearly displeased at being compared to his rival.
Uozumi's tap reached Ikegami, who quickly swung the ball to Sendoh.
"Huh? They're letting Sendoh play point guard?" Kogure exclaimed.
Miyagi frowned. "Are they really going to have Sendoh, who's built more like Nango, go one-on-one with Maki? Wouldn't that throw off their entire formation?"
But Nango only chuckled. "Just watch. This start is more interesting than I expected."
It was the first time Shohoku's players had sat together to watch another game, and for Nango, the experience was both fresh and exciting—especially since both lineups had deviated from what he remembered.
Kainan's starting five had shifted. Coach Kouzu had swapped Muto for Kosuge, signaling his full promotion.
Ryonan, meanwhile, benched their two guards, Uekusa and Echizen, in favor of forwards Sugadaira and Ikegami, drastically increasing their average height.
Coach Kouzu narrowed his eyes at the adjustment. So, Taoka, this is your play? Letting Sendoh run the point, while setting up an ironclad defense? A mix of Shoyo and Shohoku? Hmph. Underestimating us too much.
With a small shake of his head, he reached for his folding fan.
"Hmph. Not every six-foot-three guy can handle the ball under pressure. Do they think anyone taller than me will cut it?" Maki muttered, feeling underestimated.
He immediately pressed Sendoh, suddenly reaching out to snatch the ball.
"Here it comes!" Miyagi tensed. Having faced Maki's suffocating pressure firsthand, he doubted a tall forward like Sendoh could keep possession.
But the genius guard calmly turned his body, swinging the ball away just in time. If Maki extended further, he'd leave himself out of position.
Good kid!
Maki and Miyagi shared the same thought—one impressed, the other surprised.
That was close… Sendoh admitted inwardly. Maki's speed had shocked him, but instinct from watching Nango helped him react in time.
Realizing Sendoh's ball control was steadier than expected, Maki eased up. He would see what Sendoh did next. A point guard's duty wasn't just dribbling—it was orchestrating.
At the top of the arc, Sendoh dribbled with calm precision, eyes darting across the floor.
Fukuda, stationed at the elbow, suddenly cut toward the paint. Soichiro shadowed him tightly.
But in the blink of an eye, Fukuda pivoted and sprinted the opposite direction—straight into the lane.
Sendoh seized the opening, lofting the ball high.
Fukuda leapt, snatched the pass midair, and hammered it through the rim.
"Whoa! An alley-oop right off the tip! Sendoh and Ryonan making a statement!"
"His first official game as point guard, and he pulls that off? Incredible!"
"Don't get ahead of yourselves. It's just one basket!"
"Wait—who's that guy who dunked? Never seen him before…"
The crowd erupted, Fukuda now firmly on their radar.
"Sendoh's amazing!" Aida Yayoi squealed like a fangirl, earning an exasperated nudge from Nakamura to calm down.
"Tch! Don't get cocky—it was just luck! That guy won't get another shot like that!" Kiyota barked, refusing to acknowledge the play.
Not simple at all… Maki studied Sendoh again, conviction settling in.
Coach Kouzu's gaze drifted toward Fukuda as well. Could this newcomer be Ryonan's key weapon?
The game pressed on.
Using Takasago's screen, Maki slashed straight into the paint. But instead of Uozumi stepping up, Sugadaira cut him off. He didn't attempt to block, only to disrupt.
Still, Maki slipped through and finished with a layup. But it wasn't the foul-drawing play he'd wanted.
"Hmph, like I'd let you get Uozumi into foul trouble so easily. Thanks to Hikoichi's intel, we're prepared," Coach Taoka smirked, stroking his beard.
The night before, Hikoichi had casually mentioned over dinner how Kainan had neutralized Akagi early against Shohoku. Taoka had taken note. Thus, Sugadaira was inserted to shield Uozumi and bolster their defense inside.
Additionally, Taoka had drilled it into his team—never give Maki a clean three-pointer, even if it meant sacrificing help defense. He also assigned Ikegami to dog Soichiro relentlessly, denying him touches—another trick learned from Shohoku.
Coach Kouzu studied Ryonan's adjustments carefully. So, Senior Taoka, you've really gone all out this time. But no matter how much you prepare, I trust my players. Victory will be ours.
By halftime, Ryonan led 33–20.
Neither side's offense had erupted—the low score owed to deliberate pacing and disciplined rebounding.
Ryonan's bigs boxed out every board, denying Kainan transition chances. Meanwhile, Sendoh slowed the tempo, forcing Kainan into half-court sets where their weak interior was exposed.
It worked—but with few three-point threats, Ryonan's lead stayed modest.
Even so, Sendoh shined, racking up 11 assists, while Fukuda dazzled with 20 points, carrying their offense.
On Kainan's side, Maki shouldered the load again. But Kiyota provided a spark—his relentless one-on-one attacks against Fukuda drew extra defenders, freeing Takasago for easy put-backs.
The battle lines were drawn, momentum simmering beneath the surface.
The real clash was only just beginning.
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