The Result

Damn it! What a bunch of ridiculously stubborn bastards!

Possession returned to Shohoku. With the final forty seconds of the game beginning to count down, Matsuoka Teruji took the inbound pass, pushed toward the frontcourt, and cursed inwardly.

Meihou High wanted enough time in their next possession to tie the game or hit a game-winner. Naturally, Shohoku had to do the opposite—use up as much time as possible on this possession, then score successfully, preferably with a three-pointer!

Only then could they put the greatest possible pressure on Meihou High.

So after reaching the frontcourt, Matsuoka Teruji still did not make an immediate move. Instead, he continued patiently and cautiously directing his teammates' movements.

After a full twenty seconds of patient probing, Shohoku finally tore open a gap in Meihou High's defense.

Matsuoka Teruji first glanced at Sakuragi Hanamichi, who was battling Tsukamoto in the paint, then quickly exchanged a look with Rukawa Kaede.

Bang!!

In the next instant, Matsuoka Teruji decisively drove. He used Sanada Taishi's screen to shake off Kono, charged smoothly into Meihou High's paint, then leaped into the air and stared resolutely at Sakuragi Hanamichi. Sakuragi Hanamichi seemed to understand Matsuoka Teruji's intention as well, taking up a posture to receive the pass.

Were they going for a safe two points, then gambling on defense next possession?

In an instant, everyone on Meihou High saw through Shohoku's intention. They immediately tightened their defense, unwilling to give Shohoku such an opportunity.

However, in the next moment, Matsuoka Teruji showed everyone what it meant to fake so convincingly that even your own teammates got fooled!

Whoosh...

Matsuoka Teruji had clearly jumped as though he were about to pass to Sakuragi Hanamichi, yet the basketball flew directly behind him instead.

Smack!!

The one who received the pass was none