"You played well in the first half," Akagi said firmly, "but the second half will be tougher. An 8-point deficit isn't huge. Stay steady, and we can turn it around."
"Yes, Captain." Nango wiped the sweat from his brow. Rukawa gave a silent nod beside him.
"Old man! I've been sitting for half the game already! Let me play the second half!" Sakuragi burst forward, pestering Coach Anzai. "Look, Nango and the others are gasping for air—they need a break!"
"Haha, Sakuragi, don't worry about me." Nango grinned, deliberately teasing him. "I'll rest up and help the captain crush Ryonan in the second half."
"You—!" Sakuragi nearly jumped out of his skin.
"Sakuragi, just stay put and cheer from the bench," Akagi barked with his stern, square face.
"Old man!" Sakuragi pleaded again.
"Ho ho ho ho…" Coach Anzai chuckled. "Sakuragi, switch with Yasuda in the second half."
"...Yes, Coach." Yasuda forced a smile, hiding his disappointment. He knew Nango and Rukawa were exceptional, but even Sakuragi was getting the nod over him.
"Coach?!" Akagi's eyes widened. "Isn't that a little reckless?"
But Sakuragi was already grinning ear to ear. "Heh heh heh… thanks, Old Man! I'll crush Sendoh and bring down Ryonan!"
"Big idiot," Rukawa muttered, exhaling.
"Huh?! What did you say, you stinky fox?!"
"Sakuragi," Coach Anzai said calmly, "when you're on the floor, stay in the paint and support Akagi. Nango will run the offense."
"Yes, Coach." Nango's chest swelled with pride. So it's official—I'm the point guard now. No more begging for the ball. Time to prove I belong.
Despite the noise, Shohoku's bench carried a warm, lighthearted energy.
On Ryonan's side, the atmosphere was far heavier.
"Sendo, what do you think of Shohoku's two rookies?" Coach Taoka asked.
Sendoh set his water bottle down. "Number 13, Nango, is impressive. Well-rounded, poised—he doesn't feel like a rookie. As for Rukawa… still too green."
"Hmph. I thought Nango was just a tall shooter, but he can run the point. He's their key. We'll target him. Sendo, you guard him in the second half."
"Understood." Sendoh smiled faintly and took another sip.
"Ikegami, Rukawa is yours. And Uozumi—stop obsessing over Akagi. Do your job. Guard the paint."
"Yes, Coach." Uozumi squeezed his towel hard, frustration bubbling inside. Does Coach think I'll never surpass Akagi?
Sendoh noticed and clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't dwell on it. Remember our real goal."
"...Yeah." Uozumi inhaled deeply. Akagi… I'll take you down one day.
The second half tipped off. Sakuragi, despite all his bravado, now looked like a deer in headlights, stiff and silent.
Nango walked over and smacked him on the butt. "Relax, rookie."
"You—! I'm not nervous! And who are you calling a rookie?!" Sakuragi snapped, voice trembling.
"Then prove it. Just don't drag us down later." Nango smirked and jogged away.
"Damn ape!" Sakuragi fumed, but oddly enough, the exchange eased his nerves.
Shohoku's first possession. Nango dribbled across half-court, only to meet a familiar figure.
"So, Taoka's got you marking me, Sendoh?"
"That's right. You played well earlier." Sendoh's calm smile met his.
"Want to see Rukawa? He's furious right now."
"No need. My task is you. I can't guard two people at once."
"Is that so? Then let's test it."
On the wing, Rukawa's eyes blazed. Ikegami again? Do they really think I'm weaker than Nango? He boxed out his defender and demanded the ball.
But Nango ignored him. Sorry, Rukawa. If I pass now, it's exactly what they want.
The matchups were clear: Akagi vs. Uozumi, Sakuragi vs. Suda, Kogure vs. Echizen. Coach Taoka had stacked the paint with a twin-tower lineup, adding the athletic Suda to back Uozumi. Nango was marked by Sendoh, while Ikegami shadowed Rukawa.
Taoka's strategy was simple: choke Shohoku's paint, neutralize their rookies, and grind them down.
Too bad, Coach, Nango thought, his eyes sharpening. You forgot one thing: you can't guard me.
Nango waved his teammates off, clearing the right side of the court. Rukawa reluctantly pulled Ikegami away, leaving Nango and Sendoh alone.
Sendoh smirked. "What move you got for me?"
Nango dribbled low between his legs, probing. Then—suddenly—he exploded forward. Sendoh slid to cut him off, but Nango had never intended to drive. He planted hard with his left foot, rocked back, and launched into a clean step-back jumper.
"A step-back?!" Sendoh's eyes widened, caught off guard.
Swish! The net snapped clean. Shohoku's first basket of the half.
Score: Ryonan 47 – Shohoku 41.
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