Uozumi's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets, and his heart lurched. He had never expected Mori Zhongkuan to maintain such speed after blocking the shot.
Without time to think, he charged forward, trying to provide help defense and stop Morishige Hiroshi from getting the ball.
But Morishige Hiroshi was far faster. Before Uozumi could reach him, he had already leaped up and snatched the basketball.
Just as Uozumi thought Morishige Hiroshi would launch a fast break himself, Morishige Hiroshi chose not to linger. The moment he secured the ball, he flicked his wrist and sent a long pass upcourt.
Takeuchi Yusi caught the pass near midcourt and immediately pushed forward with the ball, launching another attack for Mingpeng Industrial High School. Offense and defense had switched in an instant.
Ryonan, who had been attacking only moments earlier, suddenly found themselves scrambling back on defense.
None of the Ryonan players dared hesitate. They turned at once and sprinted toward their own half.
Chi Tong and Sendoh were already astonishingly fast. They sprinted as though their feet barely touched the floor, racing back into the defensive zone and taking up key positions ahead of time.
Chi Tong locked his gaze on Takeuchi Yusi as she advanced with the ball. With a quick shift of his feet, he once again cut precisely into her path and settled into a tight defensive stance.
This time, however, Takeuchi Yusi was ready. She knew her speed was a clear weakness. Their earlier encounters had shown her that once Chi Tong got on her, shaking him off with speed alone would be difficult. She had been watching out for him ever since receiving the ball.
The moment he stepped up to intercept her, before Chi Tong could close in and seal her off, Takeuchi Yusi snapped