Chapter Forty-Eight: Unbelievable
"Damn, I think I underestimated Shoyo."
Yagami turned his head. Watching Fujima's layup fall cleanly through the net, something seemed to lightly prick his heart.
He suddenly realized his mentality had unknowingly become complacent.
Perhaps it was the recent streak of practice game and official game victories, or perhaps consecutively defeating several "Generation of Miracles" members—a "victory is natural" emotion had quietly grown in Yagami's heart.
Sendoh wasn't even on court right now. Purely analyzing paper strength, Ryonan had no absolute advantage facing Shoyo. Yet his subconscious had still formed a judgment that "the opponent isn't worth fearing."
"Smack!"
Yagami slapped both hands heavily against his face.
Even with his mind constantly warning himself, he'd still fallen into this terrifying mentality.
Yagami felt a wave of fear. Right now, at this moment, he was Ryonan's only floor general on court. The entire team's offensive rhythm and morale rested on him alone.
Fortunately—fortunately Fujima had awakened him with that layup.
In the stands, Maki Shinichi leaned on the railing with one hand, taking in the court situation completely.
"If Ryonan loses this game, their entire summer's effort ends prematurely. Coach Taoka really is willing to develop this first-year. At such a critical moment, giving him free rein to control the big picture."
Maki could see the technique and basketball IQ Yagami displayed truly far exceeded same-year players, appearing quite calm and rational in shot selection and passing vision.
"But he's still just a first-year." Maki's tone remained flat. "Court awareness and maturity in controlling games can't be compensated for with talent alone."
"Expecting him to lead Ryonan right now against Shoyo led by Fujima... it's too early."
Fujima's nearly perfect individual performance just now not only scored two points but more importantly tilted the court momentum toward Shoyo.
Offensive transition. Ryonan's offense.
As if confirming Maki's words, Koshino's lob pass to the interior was intercepted from high by Shoyo.
Ryonan retreated quickly on defense.
"Take it slow. Advantage is in our hands." Fujima raised his index finger, steadying the rhythm while advancing.
Hanagata called for the ball in the paint, backing down Uozumi.
"I won't fall for it this time!" Uozumi stared intensely at Hanagata, shouting loudly.
Hanagata's back felt the force from Uozumi behind him. He kept his center of gravity very low, stabilizing his rhythm.
"Bang, bang..."
Heavy dribbling sounds echoed under the basket.
Uozumi planted his stance firmly, every muscle tensed, like a stone wall holding position without retreating half a step. He knew Hanagata had mid-range capability, so he didn't dare give easy spin-move space.
However, Hanagata's offensive rhythm suddenly changed!
After one dribble for leverage, his entire body suddenly rotated toward the left rear, shoulder faking as if about to spin baseline!
Uozumi's center of gravity was instinctively drawn by this realistic fake, moving half a step left.
But the instant Uozumi moved, Hanagata used his pivot foot as axis, quickly pulling his body back, spinning right past Uozumi into the paint, then immediately floated up a shot.
"Swish!"
A crisp net-snapping sound rang out.
Two points good!
Ryonan 22 - Shoyo 30
The gap reached 8 points!
After Fujima's performance, Hanagata also used spectacular low-post footwork to isolate Uozumi!
After scoring, Hanagata adjusted his glasses and retreated quickly, expressionless.
"Ten points..." Coach Taoka on the sideline unconsciously tapped his knee with fingertips. The sudden reversal made him uneasy. "If the gap expands to 10 points, we absolutely cannot let it continue developing."
Taoka Moichi drew a line in his mind.
"Don't worry," Sendoh seemed able to see Coach Taoka's anxiety, yet showed no panic himself, still wearing that relaxed smile.
"Sorato will be fine."
At this moment, Yagami's mind was rapidly weighing options.
Right now Ryonan urgently needed a momentum-changing basket. Generally speaking, a poster dunk—especially posterizing a defender—could instantly ignite the entire team's fighting spirit.
"Yagami, go for it!" Uozumi said in a low voice running past him. "If you miss, I've got the paint."
"You can give me the ball too." Fukuda ran past from the other side. "You're overthinking."
"Is it that obvious?" Yagami took a deep breath.
Whatever. He was only a first-year anyway. Worst case, Sendoh could bail him out.
Since they were all saying this, might as well have fun first!
Yagami dribbled across halfcourt. His attention didn't remain on teammates but focused intently on the rim.
"This guy..."
Fujima keenly detected the change in Yagami's momentum. That sluggish feeling suddenly disappeared from his opponent, replaced by exposed sharp edges!
"Hasegawa," Fujima decisively slid over one step. "This possession, I'll defend him."
Though puzzled, Hasegawa quickly switched positions.
Fujima stood at the three-point arc confronting Yagami. He judged that if Hasegawa continued single coverage, the instant Yagami blew past him, there might be no chance even to help.
Absolutely must stop this possession, then expand the gap to 10 points!
"Fujima-senpai," Yagami showed a dangerous smile. "Actually, you can't stop me either."
Before the words finished—
"Bang!"
The basketball pounding suddenly became urgent!
Yagami's first step was lightning quick. His explosive instant acceleration made Fujima's heart tighten, forcing tight pressure defense.
However, the instant their bodies contacted, Yagami executed a physics-defying hesitation to abruptly halt his rhythm. Immediately following—a second, more violent acceleration!
Fujima's center of gravity was deceived by this sudden rhythm change, his form stuttering. Yagami forcibly shook him off!
Seeing trouble, Hasegawa immediately slid over to help.
But Yagami seemed to anticipate this. The instant Hasegawa lunged up, a smooth left spin—like a gust of wind—swept past his side, killing straight into the paint!
Interior defender Nagano didn't hesitate, abandoning his man to step up, trying to build a final barrier with his body.
But Yagami's momentum didn't decrease. Facing Nagano's blockade, he simply executed a right spin, cleanly blowing past him again!
"Unbelievable!"
"One! Two! Three!"
Spectators counted the defenders Yagami broke down—their count couldn't even keep pace with his penetration speed!
"He's dancing—!" Shouts erupted from the stands.
At this moment, Yagami had charged to the baseline, momentum undiminished, smoothly rising skyward!
"Not happening!"
Almost simultaneously, Shoyo's final gate—Hanagata—had also leaped to his highest point, both arms vertically extended like a massive wall, completely sealing all layup angles.
"It's over! Went too far!"
"Block him!"
Two different voices rang from the spectator seats.
However, Yagami airborne showed an increasingly clear mysterious smile at the corner of his mouth.
His right hand steadily gripped the ball single-handed, using his body to lean on Hanagata. In that brief instant of hang time, his ball-holding wrist cleverly circled, actually passing the ball from behind Hanagata—from his blind spot!
"???"
The basketball appeared like magic in the hands of Uozumi under the basket—completely unguarded!
Uozumi experienced a moment of shock, but this didn't matter. Instinct told him what to do now!
"ROAR—!"
Uozumi let out a furious roar, jumping from his spot. Both hands raised the ball overhead, violently hammering it through the rim!
"BOOM!!!"
Ryonan 24 - Shoyo 30
Yagami beat four defenders to deliver a brilliant pass—Uozumi posterized Hanagata!
"RYONAN! RYONAN!"
"YAGAMI! YAGAMI!"
The entire venue seemed instantly ignited. The court momentum instantly returned to Ryonan's side!
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