There was no time for them to dwell on it. Ryonan's other players had already taken advantage of Sannoh's momentary hesitation on defense to push near the paint, and their offensive momentum had taken shape.
A crisp steal rang out. Sannoh Industrial High School's defense quickly recovered, and Ryonan's hurried attack was soon stopped. Sento held the ball and tried to break through Sawakita Eiji's defense, but Sawakita's defense remained airtight. He clung to him like a shadow, completely cutting off his path to the basket once again.
Driven into a corner, Sendoh could only pass to find a teammate. His target was Yu Zhu in the paint, and with a flick of his wrist, he sent the ball over.
But just as the basketball was about to reach Yu Zhu's hands, a figure suddenly darted out from the side. Nobe Masahiro had read the passing lane and successfully intercepted the ball.
The transition between offense and defense happened in a flash. Almost at the same moment Nobe stole the ball, Sawakita Eiji turned into a streak of white lightning and charged without hesitation toward Ryonan's half.
His speed had reached the extreme. The Golden Eagle phantom behind him revealed fierce, razor-sharp eyes, its enormous wings spreading wide as it let out a piercing cry. The cry seemed to cut through the noise of the arena, carrying the oppressive presence of a ruler of the skies. Nobe Masahiro did not hesitate or make any unnecessary adjustment, directly hurling the ball toward the direction Sawakita Eiji was sprinting in the frontcourt.
Sawakita Eiji met the incoming basketball without slowing down, catching it in his palm. He went full throttle, the Golden Eagle phantom behind him perfectly merging with his body as his speed surged once more toward Ryonan's basket. In the