The fourth quarter was pure, physical basketball. Every possession was a battle. Teo and Akagi wrestled in the post. Renz and Rukawa traded difficult baskets. Sakuragi's incredible rebounding kept Shohoku in it, but his inexperience led to turnovers.
With two minutes left, the score was knotted at 78-78.
Riki held the ball at the top of the key, the clock ticking down. He saw Teo had deep position, but Akagi was fronting him fiercely. He then looked at Renz, who was being face-guarded by Rukawa.
He made his decision.
He drove left, drawing Miyagi and Rukawa. As the defense collapsed, he fired a no-look pass to the weakside corner. It wasn't to Renz. It was to Drei, who had been quietly waiting all game.
Drei caught the ball, his form perfect and unchanging. The shot was pure.
Swish.
81-78.
Shohoku rushed back, but Flowstate's defense was locked in. Miyagi's driving pass was tipped by a helping Bornok, and Riki dove on the loose ball, calling a timeout.
With seconds left, Shohoku was forced to foul. Riki stepped to the line, the crowd screaming. He sank both free throws.
Final Score: Flowstate 83, Shohoku 78.
They had done it again. They stood, battered and bruised, as the buzzer sounded. Across the court, Sakuragi was yelling about next time, while Akagi gave them another respectful nod.
As they walked off the court, the giant bracket board updated. Their next opponent was revealed: Ryonan.
The loop was set. A moment to breathe, and then the next punch would come.