None of them lost their composure over those sudden ten points. Instead, their eyes remained calm.
Offense turned to defense in an instant. This time, it was Hainan's turn to attack.
Maki Shinichi bent low over the ball and slowly advanced along the sideline.
His pace was unhurried, each step exceptionally steady. The basketball bounced rhythmically between his palm and the floor as his gaze swept every corner of the court.
From his teammates' positions to the gaps in Sannoh's defense, he took everything in, exuding an unshakable calm.
Sannoh's point guard quickly slid over, lowering his center of gravity and spreading his arms to block the way.
Just as the distance between them shrank to a single step and his opponent's hand nearly touched the ball, Maki Shinichi flicked his wrist without hesitation. The basketball flew from his fingertips, slipping precisely past the defender toward the right sideline.
The instant the ball left his hand, Kiyota Nobunaga charged over and snatched it up.
He grinned with youthful bravado, then abruptly accelerated, driving toward Sannoh's basket with the ball.
But he had only just crossed half-court when a figure suddenly cut across from the side. It was Sawakita Eiji!
Kiyota Nobunaga had been ready for this. He wanted to test just how strong this guy everyone called the best high school player really was.
But just as he raised his hand to fake a change of direction, Sawakita Eiji seemed to read his mind. With a slight slide of his feet, he was already reaching toward Kiyota's ball-handling wrist.
The ball was about to be stolen. Damn!
Cold sweat instantly broke out across Kiyota Nobunaga's back. Not daring to drive recklessly any farther, he slammed on the brakes and retreated half a step, forcing some distance between himself and Sawakita