"Mitsui! Mitsui! Mitsui!" The gym erupted! Shohoku's bench players rushed to the sideline!
Coach Goro Domoto's face turned livid, and he immediately called a timeout!
Sannoh Industrial High School's throne was shaking violently!
After the timeout, Sannoh sent out its full starting lineup: Fukatsu, Ichinokura (glued to Mitsui), Sawakita, Nobe, and Kawata!
They had to steady the game!
Eiji Sawakita was utterly furious! Not a trace of playfulness remained in his eyes, only icy killing intent!
He took on Ryota Kudo one-on-one with the ball!
He strung together between-the-legs and behind-the-back dribbles so fast they left afterimages!
With his stamina severely depleted, Ryota Kudo's defensive footwork was already struggling to keep up!
Sawakita seized his chance and completely shook Kudo off with an enormous Yamagata Fake!
He drove into the paint and faced Sakuragi's help defense without fear, absorbing the contact in midair before forcing up a double-clutch layup!
Swish! 69-64!
On Shohoku's possession, every Sannoh Industrial High School player got into position this time. Zone defense!
Their entire defensive focus was on Ryota Kudo, with Eiji Sawakita guarding him and everyone else ready to help at any moment.
Ryota Kudo could see that Sannoh Industrial High School's intensity had changed, but he felt no fear.
Seeing all his teammates around him panting with exhaustion, Ryota Kudo chose to drive without hesitation.
With a between-the-legs dribble followed by an effortlessly stylish Akira Sendoh-style drive, Ryota Kudo slipped past Eiji Sawakita.
Eiji Sawakita showed no discouragement at being beaten and chased after Ryota Kudo with everything he had.
As Ryota Kudo reached the free-throw line, both of Sannoh Industrial High School's big men rushed out at him, leaving him without a good shot.
In that instant, Ryota Kudo found a passing lane. With a no-look pass, he sent the basketball through