Ryonan vs. Daiei Academy (Part Two)

Power forward Fukuda Kicchou, number 13, second year. Shooting guard Yueye Hongming, number 8, second year. Point guard Chi Tong, number 4, first-year captain. Daiei Academy's starters: center Hakaono Kazuta, number 7, third year; small forward Takeuchi Takuya, number 5, third-year vice-captain; power forward Tu Wu Chun, number 4, third-year captain; shooting guard Yukimura Shinka, number 9, second year; and point guard Miura Ryoukai, number 10, first year. The game was about to begin. A sharp, piercing whistle cut through the air. The referee raised the basketball, then tossed it above the two teams' centers.

Ryonan's game against Daiei Academy officially began.

Two heavy footfalls sounded almost at once. Yu Zhu drove off with both feet, his knees bending deep before he exploded upward. His massive body sprang into the air, one arm reaching straight up as his fingertips lunged for the ball.

Across from him, Hakaono Kazuta leaped too. His broad shoulders tipped forward and his arm reached out, trying to tap the ball toward his team's half of the court first.

Their arms nearly collided in midair. But Yu Zhu had the height advantage, and his fingertips touched the ball first. With a flick of his fingers, he tipped it toward Ryonan's half of the court.

Hakaono Kazuta landed and watched the ball fly toward Ryonan's side. He drew in a quiet breath, but showed little frustration, as though winning the tip had never mattered much to him.

The ball traced a short arc through the air and landed securely in Fukuda Kicchou's hands.

Fukuda Kicchou closed his fingers around it and held it tight against his chest. His gaze sharpened at once.

Ryonan launched its first attack. Sendoh cut quickly toward Daiei Academy's paint, while Yueye Hongming ran along the sideline to stretch the defense.

Near midcourt,