"Hang in there! We still have a big lead! Only five minutes left!" Sannoh Industrial High School's coach shouted from the sidelines, reminding the players on the court.
The coach could already tell that Ryota Kudo had shaken his players' confidence.
Sannoh inbounded from the baseline.
Fukatsu seemed a little dazed. He glanced blankly at the coach on the sidelines, then stood outside the three-point line, ready to receive the ball.
The ball had barely reached Fukatsu's hands, before he could secure it, when Ryota Kudo appeared beside him like a phantom!
The anticipation granted by Zone let him see through all of Fukatsu's ball-protection habits! Smack! His hand struck swiftly! A clean steal!
Fast break! He raced clear! Eiji Sawakita exploded into a full-speed chase! The two charged toward the frontcourt like intertwining bolts of lightning! Sawakita finally caught Ryota Kudo one step inside the three-point line!
Ryota Kudo never slowed! Sprinting at full speed, he switched hands behind his back with a tiny but blindingly fast motion, tilting his body slightly at the same time! That subtle movement instantly pulled Sawakita off balance!
Now! Ryota Kudo pounded the ball down! Another burst of acceleration! He instantly gained half a step!
He rose into the air against Sawakita's desperate block attempt! Forcing his body to twist in midair to create space, he went up for an underhand layup!
Swish! The whistle sounded at the same time! Sawakita had hit his hand! Basket and a foul!
He sank the free throw securely! 77-86! The gap was back to single digits! Nine points! Four minutes and ten seconds remained!
Sannoh Industrial High School was in a complete panic! Goro Domoto roared for a timeout! But even a timeout could not cool the icy killing intent of that number 13 in red!