It was a stubborn refusal to accept defeat, but that stubbornness was tangled with sorrow. It looked a little comical, yet it commanded respect all the same.
As the players from both sides left the court, Ryonan's match against Mingpeng Industrial finally came to a complete close.
With precise tactics, tenacious fighting spirit, and Chi Tong's command of the game, Ryonan defeated Meipeng Industrial High School and made history by advancing to the final four of the National Tournament.
This victory was not only a milestone in Ryonan's basketball history, but also the best reward for all the effort its players had put in.
The corridor leading to Ryonan's locker room was softly lit. The players walked in twos and threes, still feeling the fatigue of the match they had just finished, yet their conversation had already drifted toward the games ahead.
Time flew. The excitement of their victory over Mingpeng Industrial High School still lingered, and another match to decide a spot in the final four was about to begin.
"If I remember correctly, Shohoku's match should be right after ours, shouldn't it?"
Yueye Hongming rubbed his aching shoulder and suddenly broke the silence in the corridor.
He still remembered a little of the schedule and vaguely recalled that Shohoku's opponent was another strong team.
Walking beside him, Shishang Liang'er nodded lightly in confirmation. "Yeah, that's right. Shohoku is up against Hakata Commercial High School next. Like Meihou Industrial, that team has held a place in the national final four year after year. They're not to be underestimated. I wonder if Shohoku can beat them."
Xiangtian Yanyi frowned slightly, her voice tinged with concern.
In her view, since Hakata Commercial High School was a national final-four team just like Meipeng Industrial High School, they probably would not be easy