Miyagi dribbled past half-court and spotted Nango stationed in a peculiar spot, signaling for the ball.
"What's this?" Coach Kouzu snapped his folding fan shut.
Kiyota's eyes widened. "Nango's standing at the free-throw line? Is he copying Ryonan's strategy?"
Miyagi smirked and zipped the ball to him. Nango caught it with his back to both Sendo and the basket.
He's not going to post me up again, is he… Sendo felt a bad premonition, lowering his stance, bracing for impact.
But Nango had other plans. He flicked a glance at Miyagi, who instantly understood. Miyagi cut past Fukuda with ease—like a blade through tofu.
Ikegami lunged over to help, but too late. The ball arced over his head, landing perfectly in Rukawa's hands. Wide open, Rukawa rose for a long two just inside the arc—swish!
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Sendo blinked. "He made that pass so quickly?"
Coach Kouzu explained, "Compared to Uozumi, who passes when an opportunity appears, Nango anticipates it before it even exists. His passes are naturally faster."
But he didn't say the rest: if Nango chose to score himself, that position would become Ryonan's nightmare.
Coach Taoka knew it too. Anxiety tightened in his chest. If Nango starts controlling the offense, Shohoku will be unstoppable. But if I double-team with Fukuda, Miyagi gets a free lane… Do I risk it?
He clenched his fist. If Nango dictates the rhythm, Ryonan won't recover. Our chances of winning will vanish.
On the floor, Ryonan stuck with their usual set, feeding the ball to Uozumi.
But Nango suddenly pounced.
"Wha—?!" Uozumi staggered, caught off guard, clutching the ball tightly.
Akagi immediately joined in, pressing from the other side. The twin pressure rattled Ryonan's captain.
"Sendo!" Uozumi called desperately.
Sendo rushed to help. Uozumi's heart lifted, ready to pass—but Nango anticipated, lunging for the steal. Uozumi twisted, shuffling his feet.
"Beep! Traveling!"
The whistle pierced the air. The referee's sharp eyes had caught his pivot foot shift.
"Damn it…" Uozumi clenched his teeth. The strategy that worked so well earlier was now collapsing under Nango's pressure.
"Fukuda!" Coach Taoka barked, pointing straight at Nango.
The message was clear. Double him.
Nango noticed instantly, but only smirked. A Sendo-Fukuda trap? Not exactly scary. Breaking it was just a matter of will.
This time, as expected, Fukuda abandoned Miyagi to trap alongside Sendo. One in front, one behind.
But Fukuda's defense was sloppy. His stance was too high, his hands hanging uselessly at his sides. He couldn't even be called proper support.
Nango coolly passed the ball away, letting Miyagi seize the chance.
Miyagi burst into the paint, received the return, and rose smoothly for a jumper near the restricted area.
This is it! His form clicked into rhythm. He floated up, controlled his release, and—
"Swish!" Two clean points.
"Nice!" He and Nango bumped fists before sprinting back on defense.
On the other end, Uozumi avoided handling the ball, instead setting a solid screen for Sendo.
Sendo curled around, accelerating past Akagi. With his slower footwork, Akagi couldn't seal the lane. Sendo stormed into the paint.
Sakuragi leapt in to meet him, shouting, "Come on, Sendo!"
Eyes sharp, Sendo studied him. At two steps away, they launched together.
Sakuragi swung hard for the ball—but whiffed. Sendo tucked it tight, soared past, then extended for a reverse layup.
Cheers erupted.
"Sendo is Sendo—what a play!"
"That was beautiful!"
Sakuragi gritted his teeth, growling, "Unforgivable, damn Sendo…" His pride demanded payback.
Shohoku attacked. Nango and Miyagi repeated their setup. Miyagi cut inside, but this time Sugadaira slid over. Miyagi quickly kicked the ball out—straight to Sakuragi.
With a ferocious leap, Sakuragi hammered the dunk down, the rim shuddering violently.
But even that didn't quench his frustration. An open dunk can't erase Sendo's move. I need a real chance to prove myself!
Meanwhile, Sendo calmly dribbled at the arc, waiting for Uozumi's cue.
Uozumi glanced between Nango and Fukuda. Feeling Nango's eyes on him, he chose to set another screen.
In the stands, Coach Kawasaki sighed. "To abandon that earlier strategy—it's a shame."
Hyuga Yuichi shook his head. "No, it's the right call. Nango's defensive reads have shut him down. Forcing it would kill Ryonan's morale. Still… I wonder if that big guy has another weapon hidden."
Sendo cut around the screen, preparing to drive again. But after two steps, his body faltered. He pulled up suddenly, launching a jumper.
The ball clanged off the rim. Sakuragi snatched the rebound.
Sendo winced, reaching down to touch his leg.
Coach Kouzu's fan tapped against his palm. His eyes narrowed. "Finally… he can't hold on anymore."
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