All at Once, Then Fading

"This genius saw through your intentions long ago!!"

After cleanly stealing the pass meant for Morishige Hiroshi, Sakuragi Hanamichi roared and immediately accelerated into a fast break toward Meihou High's frontcourt.

Sakuragi Hanamichi's play undoubtedly gave Shohoku's entire team a tremendous boost in morale. Everyone followed close behind in unison, charging into Meihou High's half.

Naturally, Meihou High's players had no intention of letting their opponents launch such a counterattack. They immediately sprinted back on defense.

The battlefield shifted from Shohoku's frontcourt to Meihou High's frontcourt almost instantly.

Bang... bang!!

After reaching the frontcourt and facing Tanaka and Tsukamoto, who were about to trap him, Sakuragi Hanamichi did not hold onto the ball. Instead, he decisively passed it to Sanada Taishi, who was trailing on the other side. Sanada caught it and continued his drive straight into Meihou High's paint.

After breaking into the paint, Sanada Taishi casually tossed the ball in his hands toward Meihou High's basket.

There's no way that wild shot goes in!!

The instant Sanada Taishi "shot," every Meihou High player thought the same thing.

Yet in the next moment, the smug delight on their faces instantly turned back into shock.

"Roaaaar!!"

Accompanied by a sudden explosive roar, Sakuragi Hanamichi had somehow shaken off the previous double-team and charged beneath the basket. He soared into the air, snatched the basketball Sanada Taishi had tossed up, and viciously slammed it into Meihou High's hoop.

59:51

To everyone's surprise, Shohoku, supposedly inferior at the center position, had lost both the first-half and second-half tip-offs yet still struck first through outstanding defensive counterattacks. They extended their lead to eight points, just one basket away from double digits.

If Meihou High failed to score on the next possession, Shohoku would extend its advantage into double digits. It would also be