He stayed tight against Chi Tong's side, constantly reaching in to steal the ball or disrupt his dribble. He shadowed every step, trying to throw off Chi Tong's rhythm and keep him from passing comfortably.
But to Chi Tong, those efforts barely registered. His ball handling remained rock solid, without the slightest hint of panic.
Sendoh began moving nimbly around the court, while Rukawa followed like a shadow, his gaze sharp as a blade. He had clearly made up his mind to intercept the instant Chi Tong dared pass to Sendoh.
Chi Tong merely glanced toward Sendoh, then swayed slightly to the left. That tiny feint instantly threw Gongcheng Liangtian's balance off.
Then he snapped his wrist, sending the basketball arcing in the opposite direction from Sendoh. As though it had eyes of its own, it flew straight into the hands of Fukuda Kicchou, who lay in wait on the other side.
Miyagi Ryota could only watch the ball fly toward Fukuda. Anxious as he was, the feint had left him off balance, and all he could do was seethe helplessly where he stood. Veins bulged over his clenched fists, but he had no time to recover on defense. Helplessness filled him.
Fukuda Kicchou wasted no time after receiving the pass. He drove off hard and charged toward Shohoku's basket with the ball, his sharp gaze brimming with determination.
Sakuragi Hanamichi followed like a shadow, his eyes locked on Fukuda Kicchou's every move. He never let up his pace, and he kept shouting to pile on the pressure.
Just as Fukuda Kicchou reached the basket, set his feet, and prepared to leap for a layup, Sakuragi Hanamichi caught him from behind with an astonishing burst of speed. He spread his arms and raised them high, swatting fiercely into Fukuda's shooting