Trading Blows

"Ladies and gentlemen in the audience, let's welcome the players about to bring us an incredible showdown with your warmest applause!"

As the Shohoku and Sanno players took their places along the court, the announcer's voice rang out, constantly whipping up the crowd's excitement.

"First up, Meiho Technical High School from Aichi Prefecture! They'll be wearing red jerseys today!"

Meiho's starting lineup:

Point Guard: Kono

Shooting Guard: Akai Ryosuke

Small Forward: Hosokawa

Power Forward: Tsukamoto

Center: Morishige Hiroshi

"Next, Shohoku High School from Kanagawa Prefecture, dressed in white today!"

Shohoku's starting lineup:

Center: Hasegawa Alonso

Power Forward: Sakuragi Hanamichi

Small Forward: Rukawa Kaede

Shooting Guard: Okuma Shogo

Point Guard: Matsuoka Teruji

As the announcer called out each name, the starters from Meiho and Shohoku entered one after another amid the thunderous cheers of nearly ten thousand spectators, quickly taking their positions at center court.

The referee carried the ball to the two teams' centers. After looking from side to side and confirming that there were no issues, he subtly tensed his arm.

Three... two... one!!

Beep—!!

As the mental countdown ended, the whistle sounded.

Whoosh...

The next instant, the basketball was tossed high into the air.

The second game of the much-anticipated Winter Cup semifinals, Shohoku versus Meiho, had officially begun!!

"Roar!!"

"Haah!!"

The instant the ball reached its highest point, Morishige Hiroshi and Hasegawa Alonso, who had long since coiled up their strength below, roared and leaped skyward together, extending their arms toward the ball.

Smack!!

The winner was decided in the next instant.

With a slight edge in height, while matching Alonso in explosiveness and wingspan, Morishige narrowly beat him to the ball and tipped it first, earning Meiho the opening possession.

"Get back on defense!!"

Shohoku had naturally prepared for the possibility of Alonso losing the tip.