Shohoku Falls Behind (2)

But the moment he landed and regained his footing, the referee's voice rang out clearly. "Shohoku's number ten committed a defensive foul! The basket counts, and he gets one free throw!"

How could this be?

Sakuragi Hanamichi froze in an instant, staring blankly at the referee. "When did I foul him?"

"I was clearly trying to block his shot!"

Fukuda Kicchou delivered the ball into the basket and landed back on the floor.

He merely cast Sakuragi Hanamichi a casual glance, his eyes carrying unconcealed contempt, as though mocking Sakuragi's recklessness and clumsiness.

Then, without saying a word, he turned and walked toward the free-throw line.

"What was that look?"

Sakuragi Hanamichi was immediately provoked by that gaze. His teeth ground together as he stared fixedly at Fukuda Kicchou's back, rage surging in his chest. That damned bastard actually looks down on me!

If Miyagi Ryota had not quietly tugged him back, he probably would have rushed over to cause trouble again.

At the free-throw line, Fukuda Kicchou took a deep breath and raised his hand to shoot.

The basketball dropped cleanly through the net. Fukuda Kicchou completed the 2 + 1, and Ryonan added another three points.

After losing several possessions in a row, Shohoku's momentum grew heavier and heavier as they gradually fell into a clear disadvantage.

Five minutes of the second half had passed without anyone noticing, and the numbers on the scoreboard were particularly glaring.

Ryonan 69, Shohoku 55. The gap had quietly widened to fourteen points.

The whistle suddenly sounded, and Shohoku called a timeout.

Anxi Guangyi slowly rose from the bench. Though his face still wore a gentle smile, there was a trace of gravity hidden in his eyes.

Shohoku's situation was truly far from encouraging. Not only had they fallen fourteen points behind,