Chapter Seventy-Six: Buzzer-Beating Three!
"Great shot! Another one!"
"Beautiful, Mitsui!"
Hearing the sideline cheers, Mitsui Hisashi wiped sweat from his chin, gaze locking directly on Yagami Sorato across the court, battle intent surging.
"I've hit three three-pointers now." His voice wasn't loud but carried clearly across the floor. "Didn't you want a three-point contest? Come try me!"
"These guys..." Sendoh Akira's brow furrowed. Since earlier, Shohoku's players had deliberately provoked Yagami Sorato.
"Sorato." Sendoh Akira prepared to offer a gentle reminder.
"Isn't that bait a bit obvious?" Yagami Sorato curled his lip, looking disdainfully at Shohoku's players.
Sendoh Akira exhaled with relief. After all, Yagami Sorato was an extremely intelligent player.
"Come at me together—I won't lose." Yagami Sorato excitedly accepted the challenge.
"He completely fell for it!!" Sendoh Akira's face showed helpless exasperation.
Possession changed. Ryonan's offense.
However, Yagami Sorato didn't act as aggressively as Sendoh Akira expected. He stood quietly on Shohoku's left wing beyond the arc, appearing like an ordinary spot-up shooter. Yet both Shohoku's players and the arena spectators understood exactly what threat he'd displayed this game.
"SWISH!"
Sendoh Akira passed toward the right corner. After receiving, Fukuda Kicchou quickly shook Sakuragi Hanamichi, floating home a shot over Akagi Takenori's contest.
Two points.
Ryonan 52 - Shohoku 35
"I won again, Sakuragi." Fukuda Kicchou declared persistently.
However, Sakuragi Hanamichi heard nothing. His mind contained only Coach Anzai's assigned task and teammates' expectant gazes—led by Kogure Kiminobu—fixed upon him.
"Being entrusted like this today, having everyone place such hopes in me..."
"It's my first time!"
"We absolutely must win!"
Shohoku countered. With Akagi Takenori providing perimeter screens, Mitsui Hisashi curled into space again.
Miyagi Ryota delivered the pass on time.
Mitsui Hisashi caught and shot immediately.
"CLANG!"
Unfortunately, his touch didn't continue. The basketball rattled out.
Before Akagi Takenori could return beneath the basket, he watched Sakuragi Hanamichi soar high, snatching the rebound between Uozumi Jun and Fukuda Kicchou!
"I'm the Rebound King—Sakuragi Hanamichi!"
Spotting the opening, Sakuragi Hanamichi passed again to Mitsui Hisashi.
Yagami Sorato rotated left. Akagi Takenori and Miyagi Ryota both sealed him.
Fortunately, Ikegami Ryoji arrived in time. Yet Mitsui Hisashi completely ignored this, shooting the three over Ikegami Ryoji's defense!
"Swish!"
Another one!
Ryonan 52 - Shohoku 38
"That Shohoku number 14's three-pointer is incredible too! That's his fourth, right?"
"Obviously, dammit! Kaijo lost to his threes!"
"We didn't lose because of his threes, okay?!" Hearing the crowd's discussion, Hayakawa Mitsuhiro couldn't help standing to protest.
"Hayakawa, stop." Kasamatsu Yukio pulled him back down. "Honestly though, they're not wrong. This guy's threes were the horn signaling Shohoku's comeback."
"How come we've never heard of someone this good the past two years? Transfer student?"
"Not exactly. Don't know why he didn't play the last two years, but he was famous in middle school," a nearby spectator who knew about Mitsui Hisashi explained. "He was the middle school MVP. His reputation rivaled even Rukawa Kaede's now."
"Really? Then if not for that gap period, his ability would be even scarier than now, right?"
"Obviously..."
Amid the spectators' discussion, the first half finally approached its end.
Time running out. Final possession—Ryonan's ball.
Yagami Sorato raised his hand on the wing calling for it. Sendoh Akira understood perfectly, immediately passing over.
After receiving, Yagami Sorato's eyes quickly scanned the electronic scoreboard's clock before dropping his stance, beginning an isolation against Mitsui Hisashi.
He deliberately pressured Mitsui Hisashi toward the left baseline. His intent was clear—avoid traps from Miyagi Ryota helping from the opposite side after the drive.
However, Miyagi Ryota's judgment proved decisive. He directly abandoned covering Ikegami Ryoji, forming the trap early with Mitsui Hisashi!
"Yagami!" Wide-open Ikegami Ryoji cut toward the basket, raising his hand for the pass.
Yagami Sorato's gaze flicked toward him—only smiling with zero passing intent.
"I knew it..." From the start, Sendoh Akira figured Yagami Sorato would force this shot. He also charged the basket, preparing to battle for the rebound.
Yagami Sorato dribbled toward Miyagi Ryota, seemingly willingly falling into the double-team.
Mitsui Hisashi remained unmoved, center of gravity stable.
He understood clearly—if he rashly lunged right, Yagami Sorato would need only a simple crossover to blow cleanly past while also screening helping Miyagi Ryota.
However, Yagami Sorato's lips curved with expected satisfaction. A sudden shoulder drop and acceleration—he forcibly squeezed through the narrow gap between them!
"Mitsui!" Miyagi Ryota shouted frantically.
Interior defender Akagi Takenori maintained maximum focus. The instant Yagami Sorato escaped the perimeter trap, he immediately stepped up, his massive frame blocking the offensive path.
Mitsui Hisashi's balance hadn't been broken. He and Miyagi Ryota quickly spun, re-forming the trap.
Triple-team!
"Yagami!" Uozumi Jun and Ikegami Ryoji shouted loudly again from inside.
Yagami Sorato stopped hard. Within the three-man trap, he forcibly rose without the slightest hesitation, wrist softly flicking the ball out.
"Such beautiful form... does defensive pressure not affect him at all?!" Ikegami Ryoji murmured.
The basketball traced an extremely high arc, clearing all fingers attempting to contest, flying toward the rim—
"Swish!"
The crisp net sound rang out. Simultaneously, the second-quarter-ending buzzer sounded.
"TWEET—!"
Yagami Sorato used this ultimate display of individual ability to paint a perfect period on Ryonan's first half!
Ryonan 62 - Shohoku 48
"Naturally, he had to make that shot." Sendoh Akira smiled.
In the first half, Yagami Sorato went 7-for-7 from three, 5-for-7 on mid-range jumpers, 1-for-1 from the line—totaling 32 points!
One point more than half Ryonan's entire team score!
"We still have a chance!" Mitsui Hisashi shouted confidently. "Only 14 points down! Two quarters left—we can definitely come back!"
"Everyone did well. Second half, Akagi can attack the paint moderately." Coach Anzai said. "Ryonan can't maintain their opening defensive intensity. Seize opportunities and attack boldly."
"YES!!"
"Hahaha, second half I'm scoring even more!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi scored 10 points in the first half—his best prefecture tournament performance yet.
"Idiot, focus on defense." Rukawa Kaede said nearby. "They scored plenty on you too—treating you as the defensive weak link."
"WHAT?! Bastard, what are you saying?!"
"You two, stop!" Ayako's hands chopped lightly atop both heads. "Save that arguing energy for scoring more second half!"
"Ayako-san, how many points did this guy score?" Sakuragi Hanamichi asked, eyebrow raised.
"Let me see," Ayako flipped open the scorebook. "Also 10 points."
"Hahaha!" Sakuragi Hanamichi laughed loudly. "So you're nothing special either, Fox!"
"Facing Sendoh shows your true level? Second half, just quietly support my offense!"
"Hmph."
Rukawa Kaede snorted coldly but didn't verbally counter.
Fifteen minutes passed. Halftime ended. Both teams returned to court.
"ROOOAR—" Uozumi Jun roared skyward while entering.
"How long has Uozumi-senpai been doing this?" Yagami Sorato asked nearby.
Ikegami Ryoji paused, suppressing laughter. "About two, three years now."
"Hmm?"
Uozumi Jun looked back. Behind him, both teammates looked left and right, acting innocent.
"TWEET!"
Play began. Ryonan's possession.
Sendoh Akira gave the first shot to Yagami Sorato, who unhesitatingly pulled up over Mitsui Hisashi's defense.
"OOH—?"
The basketball's sound cutting through air made spectators collectively hold their breath.
"CLANG!"
The basketball hammered the back rim, bouncing out.
"OOH—!"
The crowd erupted in complex noise—half disappointment, half relief.
Uozumi Jun maintained concentrated focus. After establishing position, he tipped the ball out of the crowded free-throw area mid-air.
Sendoh Akira grabbed the board. Facing quickly recovering Rukawa Kaede, he executed a smooth spin move, cleanly shaking the defense before rising one step inside the line.
Mid-range jumper—perfectly good.
Ryonan 64 - Shohoku 48
"That's the key reason Shohoku can't close the gap," Maki Shinichi observed from the stands. "Even if Yagami Sorato can't maintain first-half touch, Ryonan still has an absolutely reliable scoring option."
"Ryonan's dual aces..." On the opposite side, Fujima Kenji also recalled painful memories.
"Give me the ball!"
Shohoku launched a swift counter. Rukawa Kaede caught at midcourt, charging toward Ryonan's basket.
Sendoh Akira defended tightly.
Inside the arc, Rukawa Kaede stopped hard—pulling the ball back through his legs to create momentary space before immediately rising backward for the shot.
"Swish!"
Long two—good!
Shohoku answered immediately!
Ryonan 64 - Shohoku 50
Ryonan's offense.
After dribbling to the right-wing 45-degree angle beyond the arc, Sendoh Akira paused briefly before explosively accelerating—one step completely blowing past Rukawa Kaede.
"What?!"
Akagi Takenori immediately slid right to help.
Sendoh Akira maintained speed without hesitation, jumping with slight body contact against Akagi Takenori mid-air while his wrist steadily floated the ball toward the rim.
"Hmm?"
Just then, Sendoh Akira keenly sensed the shadow attacking from behind. He adjusted rhythm slightly, lofting the ball higher.
"PAP!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi's palm solidly struck Sendoh Akira's wrist. The basketball had already left his hand, spinning softly before dropping cleanly through net.
"Swish!"
"TWEET—!"
The ball fell through as the referee's whistle followed immediately.
"Shohoku number 10, shooting foul! Basket counts—one free throw!"
"You hit pretty hard, kid."
Sendoh Akira rubbed his wrist, stepping to the line and calmly sinking the free throw.
Ryonan 67 - Shohoku 50
"Truly frightening." Fujima Kenji saw Sendoh Akira's thinking perfectly clearly. "Basket and foul—he wanted everything..."
While retreating, Sendoh Akira recalled Yagami Sorato's words. Wearing a relaxed smile, he told Rukawa Kaede: "Next time defending, don't slack. My scoring's pretty impressive too."
"Tch."
Rukawa Kaede glared at Sendoh Akira's back, eyes full of "revenge" desire.
Possession changed. Shohoku's offense.
Akagi Takenori's screen got predicted early. When Mitsui Hisashi received, Ikegami Ryoji had already recovered around it, sticking to his side again.
"That Ryonan number 5's defense is too tenacious!"
"Purely in defensive technique, he's completely on par with Sendoh and Yagami..."
"Great defense, Ikegami-senpai!" Koshino Hiroaki shouted from the sideline.
Hearing the crowd's discussion, Mitsui Hisashi protected the ball while telling his nearby opponent: "Hey, you—going this hard, it'll be tough lasting the full game, right?"
"That's not your concern," Ikegami Ryoji's focus remained locked. He spoke seriously. "My job is giving full effort stopping you."
"Heh!"
Amid their intense battle, the two momentarily felt mutual respect.
Just then, Rukawa Kaede brought Sendoh Akira running their direction.
"Rukawa!"
Mitsui Hisashi immediately understood, executing a clean hand-off pass.
After receiving, Rukawa Kaede feinted right before explosively cutting left. As Sendoh Akira started pursuing, Mitsui Hisashi solidly screened him behind!
"Beautiful screen!" Kogure Kiminobu's cheer barely escaped before he watched stunned as Sendoh Akira reacted with shocking awareness, forcibly squeezing through Mitsui Hisashi's screen without being completely shaken!
Rukawa Kaede charged into the paint. Uozumi Jun raised both arms helping.
Facing the sandwich defense, Rukawa Kaede rose diagonally from the basket's left side. Mid-air, he executed an extreme body contortion—entire upper body leaning right of the rim, wrist softly floating the ball upward—
Sendoh Akira contested from behind with full effort. Unable to stop his momentum, he lightly bumped Rukawa Kaede's suspended lower body.
"Swish!"
Perfect swish.
To prevent injury, Sendoh Akira supported Rukawa Kaede's off-balance airborne body. Both tumbled lightly to the floor together.
"TWEET!"
The referee whistled. Sendoh Akira's action was friendly, but it didn't change the foul!
"Ryonan number 7, pushing foul! Basket counts—one free throw!"
"OOOOH—!!"
"Well done, Rukawa!"
"RUKAWA! RUKAWA!"
"Dammit, showing off again there!" At this moment, Sakuragi Hanamichi looked angrier than Ryonan's players.
Rukawa Kaede stepped to the line, calmly sinking it.
Ryonan 67 - Shohoku 53
Shohoku kept the score within reach!
Ryonan's offense.
Sendoh Akira pushed quickly, instantly attacking beyond the arc.
Just as Rukawa Kaede caught up with tight defense, Sendoh Akira stopped hard with a between-the-legs dribble—smoothly stepping back to instantly create precious shooting space.
Without the slightest hesitation, Sendoh Akira rose calmly, decisively shooting.
"Swish!"
Three-pointer—nothing but net!
"Th-that's exactly..." Aida Hikoichi nearly jumped excitedly. "The same move Rukawa just used! Sendoh-senpai definitely did that on purpose! Incredible!"
Ryonan 70 - Shohoku 53
Shohoku's offense.
At the arc, Rukawa Kaede received Miyagi Ryota's pass. Without hesitation, he rose from the floor, forcing up a three over Sendoh Akira's contesting fingertips.
"Swish!"
The basketball fell cleanly through.
Also good!
Three-pointer!
Ryonan 70 - Shohoku 56
"Rukawa's heating up!" Commentator Ishida praised. "Even under Sendoh's defense, he's draining shots steadily! This three is crucial for Shohoku!"
"From catch to release was shockingly fast. If this continues, Rukawa might be unstoppable like Yagami in the first half," Maki Shinichi spoke gravely. "Kiyota, Rukawa's ability is genuinely elite..."
Kiyota Nobunaga remained silent. Since halftime learning Yagami Sorato scored 31 points, he'd grown increasingly quiet.
"With players like Yagami Sorato, Kise Ryota, and Rukawa Kaede among your year, Kiyota—Kainan's path ahead will probably be quite difficult."
"I... I understand..." Kiyota Nobunaga spoke heavily.
"But this is also opportunity, Kiyota." Maki Shinichi's palm pressed atop his head. "With opponents like them, absorb their strengths desperately. Evolve rapidly!"
"I've always believed you possess that talent too."
"YES, Maki-senpai!" Kiyota Nobunaga nodded firmly.
Ryonan's offense.
"You're truly impressive," Sendoh Akira protected the ball, unhurriedly telling Rukawa Kaede. "Not even three months since that practice game, right? Your growth is shocking."
"Hmph, naturally." Rukawa Kaede replied expressionlessly.
"Just like Sorato."
"Hmm?" Rukawa Kaede visibly showed anger. "I'll defeat him."
"Heh~" Sendoh Akira chuckled. "Now you finally look somewhat like an ace. During the practice game, you still completely resembled a middle schooler."
"Bastard!"
The instant Rukawa Kaede angrily pressed forward to trap—Sendoh Akira easily passed backward.
"Behind-the-back pass again?!"
After receiving, Fukuda Kicchou cut for a one-handed tomahawk dunk!
Ryonan 72 - Shohoku 56
"Dammit!! The gap won't shrink!" Kogure Kiminobu clenched his fist, silently cheering teammates on court.
Shohoku's offense gradually found rhythm. Akagi Takenori could cut for interior scores after setting perimeter screens. Each Shohoku position's offensive threat activated. Tactical execution flowed increasingly smooth.
However, the electronic scoreboard's gap never narrowed. They still couldn't contain Ryonan's offense.
Yagami Sorato, Sendoh Akira, Fukuda Kicchou—none could be limited by single defenders.
However, with one minute remaining in the third quarter, a change occurred between exhausted Mitsui Hisashi and Ikegami Ryoji.
Ikegami Ryoji couldn't jump to contest in time. Mitsui Hisashi received and resolutely shot—form still perfect despite exhaustion!
"Swish!"
The basketball traced a flawless arc, splashing cleanly through!
Three-pointer good!
Ryonan 86 - Shohoku 73
"That's five." Mitsui Hisashi pointed at Yagami Sorato, voice sounding especially weary.
Ryonan launched quickly. To prevent Yagami Sorato using threes to chase, Shohoku decisively sent Mitsui Hisashi and Miyagi Ryota trapping early, attempting to deny his touches.
Advancing to the frontcourt, Sendoh Akira saw Ikegami Ryoji completely abandoned.
No hesitation—Sendoh Akira's wrist flicked, basketball flying steadily toward Ikegami Ryoji.
"PAP!"
The instant the passing lane cleared, Sakuragi Hanamichi burst from the wing with a stunning dive, intercepting mid-air! His entire body crashed heavily onto the floor afterward.
"HUH??!"
"WHAT?!"
This completely unexpected steal triggered arena-wide gasps.
Almost simultaneously, Rukawa Kaede had launched like an arrow, scooping the basketball for full-speed advancement.
Yagami Sorato reacted instantly, chasing closely behind.
Rukawa Kaede brought Yagami Sorato inside before unhesitatingly passing backward.
Mitsui Hisashi caught well beyond the arc. Ikegami Ryoji had stepped on the three-point line, blocking his path.
"Close out! Don't give him shooting space!" Seeing this, Yagami Sorato shouted urgently while looking back.
"Could it be?"
Ikegami Ryoji realized, explosively lunging forward—but too late.
Mitsui Hisashi had already set, relying on muscle memory to rise, instinctively pushing the basketball out.
The basketball arced through half the court, carrying Shohoku's hope before drilling through the net!
Still good!!!
Ryonan 86 - Shohoku 76
The gap finally shrank to 10 points!
"That's six!" Mitsui Hisashi pointed toward Yagami Sorato beneath the basket, speaking softly.
One more!
Mitsui Hisashi could tie Yagami Sorato's made three-pointers!
Eight seconds remaining.
Yagami Sorato suddenly calmed. He grabbed the ball, launching a powerful outlet from the baseline.
"Get back!"
"Defense! Defense!"
Shohoku's earlier fast break had scattered everyone's positioning. Sendoh Akira caught at midcourt.
Quickly adjusting his state, he charged toward Shohoku's basket.
Shohoku also recovered rapidly. Rising Sakuragi Hanamichi and Miyagi Ryota trapped Sendoh Akira, denying easy passes.
After slight delay, Mitsui Hisashi and Rukawa Kaede had returned to Shohoku's half. They didn't switch—one marking Ikegami Ryoji, one marking Fukuda Kicchou.
Akagi Takenori anchored the paint, sealing Uozumi Jun's position.
Thus, Shohoku's defensive formation completed. Outnumbering on the frontcourt. Under five seconds remained.
If they stopped this possession, entering the final quarter down 10—Shohoku absolutely had comeback potential!
However—did they forget something?
Ominous feelings suddenly surged through Shohoku's players.
Yagami Sorato, who'd inbounded from Ryonan's baseline, had just crossed midcourt.
"SWISH!"
The basketball reached his hands.
Yagami Sorato showed zero hesitation. Didn't even need another step forward.
Gather, jump, shoot.
"TWEET—!"
"Swish!"
After the whistle sounded, only then did the crisp net sound ring through the silent arena.
Buzzer-beating three—good!
Ryonan 89 - Shohoku 76
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