The Complete End of Shoyo's Era

In Episode 176, Miyagi Ryota flicked his wrist, executing a crisp behind-the-back crossover that instantly shook off Hasegawa Kazushi's defense. He sliced into the paint like a red bolt of lightning.

Shoyo's players hurriedly collapsed their defense, trying to contain Miyagi Ryota.

But Miyagi Ryota did not greedily go for the score. The instant he drew the attention of two defenders, he gave his wrist a slight flick and dished the ball to the left forty-five-degree angle, where Mitsui Hisashi had already been waiting.

Mitsui Hisashi caught the pass without a moment's hesitation. He bent his knees slightly, snapped his wrist, and rose for a shot directly from beyond the three-point line.

The basketball flew from his fingertips, tracing a perfect arc through the air before dropping precisely through the hoop without touching the rim. Shohoku struck first with three points.

As offense turned to defense, Fujima Kenji stood at the top of the key with the ball, his gaze swiftly sweeping over Shohoku's defense. He knew perfectly well that they had to recover from their early deficit quickly and use a steady offensive possession to raise morale.

He raised a hand to signal a play, indicating for Nagano Mitsuru and Hasegawa Kazushi to draw defenders on the perimeter while signaling with his eyes for Hanagata Toru under the basket to get ready.

Hanagata Toru understood immediately. He quietly slipped away from Akagi's close coverage and cut toward the basket, raising a hand to call for Fujima Kenji's pass.

Seeing the opening, Fujima Kenji turned his wrist slightly and was about to pass the ball to Hanagata Toru under the basket.

But just as the basketball was about to leave his fingertips, a red figure suddenly shot out from the side at a speed too fast for anyone to react—Sakuragi