Nango's thunderous dunk left the entire court stunned.
The veteran team took far longer than usual to bring the ball up, and by the time they crossed half-court, the rookie team had already settled into their defensive formation, calmly waiting.
Maki held the ball at the top of the arc, his expression steady.
We have to score here, he thought. We need to stop their momentum.
Kawata shared the same idea and once again ran out to set a screen.
Sakuragi immediately followed, stepping up the moment Maki came off the pick, cutting off his driving lane and denying him any chance to accelerate.
At the same time, Rukawa Kaede slipped around Kawata and caught up from the side, forming a tight double-team with Sakuragi.
Maki protected the ball with one hand as he drifted toward the wing. Spotting an opening, he snapped a pass to the unguarded Kawata.
Kawata adjusted his footing and rose for a three.
If this shot went in, Nango's dunk would lose much of its impact.
Swish—
The ball clanged off the rim.
Little Kawata secured the rebound cleanly.
Nango immediately gestured for Mikio to pass the ball to Sendoh. As Sendoh brought it up to organize the offense, Nango confidently sank into the low post, calling for the ball.
This was his intention all along.
If he could overpower Fukatsu, the veteran team would be forced to adjust defensively.
Sendoh crossed half-court. Nango guided Fukatsu toward the right mid-range, then backed into him, forcing him backward with sheer strength.
Sendoh lofted the pass.
Nango caught it, spun with the momentum, and drove straight inside. Fukatsu couldn't react at all—the difference in size and power was overwhelming.
"Bang!"
Another dunk.
Maki shook his head helplessly.
Games with Nango are always a headache… There's never an easy matchup against him.
Just as Nango had anticipated, the veteran team was forced to change assignments.
Maki smiled faintly.
"Tsuchiya, please take Nango."
"Understood."
Turning his head, Maki continued, "Fukatsu, you guard Sakuragi."
Fukatsu hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Among the rookies, Mikio's offensive ability was the weakest—his moves were simple and predictable. But Fukatsu lacked the physique to guard him, leaving Sakuragi as the only option.
On the next possession, Kawata again set a screen for Maki.
The play had worked in theory last time—it just hadn't paid off.
After the screen, Sakuragi and Rukawa Kaede once again surged forward aggressively, completely ignoring Kawata on the perimeter.
Maki made the same read and passed the ball out.
Kawata shot again.
Miss.
Little Kawata pulled down yet another rebound.
Sendo brought the ball up, and despite Tsuchiya Atsushi now guarding him, Nango made the same choice—posting up deep.
If Tsuchiya was considered lean, then Nango could only be described as solid.
After receiving the entry pass, Nango glanced behind him with his peripheral vision. Kawata was pinned by Sakuragi and had to keep an eye on his brother, leaving no help defense available.
This was a pure one-on-one.
Nango's lips curled slightly.
He lowered his center of gravity and began backing Tsuchiya down, step by relentless step.
How can this guy play every position…?
Even prepared mentally, Tsuchiya felt overwhelmed. It was like trying to hold up a collapsing wall with bare hands.
At the edge of the restricted area, Nango suddenly turned toward the middle and rose up.
Tsuchiya couldn't contest effectively.
The ball dropped cleanly through the net.
In the span of a few possessions, Nango had scored twice with dunks and once from mid-range, cutting the deficit to just five points—far faster than his promise to do so before halftime.
Thank goodness he's on our side now, Sendoh thought with a grin as he high-fived Nango.
Maki brought the ball up again, but this time, hesitation crept in.
A hastily assembled team inevitably faced moments like this.
Their options were limited: isolation or pick-and-roll.
The pick-and-roll had created chances, but Kawata had missed twice in a row.
Should they keep forcing it?
Pass to Tsuchiya and attack Mikio?
Or let Kawata go one-on-one against Sakuragi?
After a brief pause, Maki made his choice.
"Kawata—post up."
The floor spaced out immediately.
Kawata accepted the decision. His shooting touch was clearly off today—likely a result of the morning's grueling battles with Morishige Hiroshi. His arms still felt heavy.
He fought for position near the basket, but Sakuragi blocked him squarely.
So Kawata turned, backed into him, and called for the ball at the mid-post.
He pushed hard.
Nothing budged.
Sakuragi's strength surprised even him.
Knew it, Kawata thought. Brute force won't work.
Catching the ball, Kawata spun and gave a convincing shot fake.
Sakuragi didn't even flinch.
"Damn it…"
Kawata clenched his jaw.
He won't shoot. He has to drive closer to score.
That was Sakuragi's read—and it was correct.
Kawata suddenly put the ball down and attacked the baseline. Sakuragi slid over instantly to cut him off.
But Kawata reversed direction just as fast, spinning into the paint.
Only Mikio remained under the basket.
Kawata smiled faintly and charged straight at his little brother.
Mikio froze.
That smile sent chills down his spine.
Killed… I'm going to be killed…
Seeing Mikio flinch, Kawata's grin widened.
As a teammate, I want to scold you.
As an opponent… I almost want to praise you.
He took off on one foot, cocking the ball high in his right hand, intent on finishing with a dunk—and maybe drawing a foul to make up for those missed threes.
"Swish—!"
A hand appeared from the side.
Nango had rotated early.
"Swat!"
The ball was blocked cleanly.
A split second later, Kawata collided with Mikio. Kawata was fine—his brother was built like a tank—but Mikio went down hard.
The ball hadn't gone out.
Sakuragi sprinted over and dove, saving it back inbounds.
Nango scooped it up and immediately hurled it downcourt.
Rukawa Kaede was already in full stride.
Maki chased alongside him, reaching the basket first.
Rukawa caught the ball in mid-air, glided forward, and leapt from just inside the restricted area. He cradled the ball with his left hand, preparing a right-handed finish, his movements light and fluid.
Maki jumped to contest—
But Rukawa flicked the ball backward.
Sendo soared in from behind and slammed it home.
Moroboshi Dai's palm struck Sendo's arm.
"Beep!"
The whistle blew instantly.
And-one.
"Good pass!"
Sendo extended his arm for a high-five.
Rukawa Kaede walked past without a glance.
Sendo was left smiling awkwardly.
Nango shook his head, stepped in, and slapped Sendo's hand instead.
"Good dunk."
The rookie team's pursuit had turned downright crazy.