They were really amazing out there, especially Team Hayato. They really held on until the very last second, tying the game, thought Nanaho as she walked across the hardwood court, her sneakers squeaking slightly with each step.
"Nice work, guys," said Nanaho with a smile, her breath even despite the match's tension.
"That's easy for you to say, but we are at a slight disadvantage in this game, Nanaho," said Hayato, bending over slightly with his hands on his knees. He dragged a towel across his forehead and neck, clearing the film of sweat that had built up.
"He's right. Even with Liam in our paint, it's still a challenge for us to keep up with them," said Takahiro, tugging at his jersey to let the air circulate underneath. His breathing was slightly uneven, chest rising and falling in quick succession.
"I have to agree as well. Although I am unstoppable on every possession, three points are worth more than two," said Liam, standing tall with his arms crossed over his broad chest, his tone matter-of-fact.
"If only you'd pass me the ball more, Hayato, we'd be leading this damn game by now," said Noboru, jaw tense as he rubbed his left shoulder, still stinging from a previous contact.
"What do you mean? I gave you plenty of passes, and you had a lot of opportunities to score. However, you didn't do anything but pass it to Liam," replied Hayato, keeping his tone steady but sharp. His eyes didn't blink.
"The sheer humiliation I experienced because of you! It's all your fault that amateur got the better of me."
"Shut up!" said Nanaho angrily as she stepped forward and punched him on the shoulder. The sound was a dull thud, her knuckles meeting muscle through damp fabric.
"Ouch! Can you please stop doing that? It hurts, goddammit," said Noboru, recoiling slightly and rubbing the spot with exaggerated movements.
"Firstly, I haven't forgotten what you did earlier—arguing with those girls when you should be locked in. You shouldn't let anything distract you from a game. That's common sense 101 if you want to win. There's also something really bugging me, and that's the fact that you're making excuses, saying it was Hayato's fault that Shino bested you. Don't ever say that again.
"You don't know what Shino went through and endured just to improve and catch up to the team. He does extra training after training, and he doesn't rest or let up at all. So don't blame anyone for the fact that he's trouncing you. Blame yourself for your inability to guard him. He's improved greatly and is probably an overall better player than you now," said Nanaho, her voice firm, her eyes narrowed.
"Then I guess I'll just have to show you that you're wrong," said Noboru as he smirked, straightening his back, the tension in his shoulders shifting into focus.
"I like your spirit, and I have a strategy that will help you keep Tetsuo in check, so don't worry. Let's see how they react to it," said Nanaho as she pulled her tactics board from under her arm, flipping it open with a click. The dry-erase marker in her fingers moved quickly, sketching out positioning.
"It looks like Nanaho is plotting something with them," said Yukio, squinting as he observed from the sideline. His shirt stuck to his back, his hands resting on his hips.
"What? But that's not fair," said Shino, eyes narrowing as he watched Nanaho's movements carefully.
"It's obvious what her plan will be. Don't worry—I have an idea to counter this," said Makoto, who rotated his wrist once, loosening it after a hard drive earlier.
"I guess we're on the same page, Makoto. Let's do this," said Yukio.
"Alright, everyone, let's resume the game. Be sure to give it your all," said Nanaho as she blew the whistle. The sharp sound echoed briefly in the gym, and players took their positions.
Shino gripped the ball tightly before bouncing it once and inbounding it to Makoto, who caught it firmly with both hands before moving into a controlled dribble. His eyes swept across the court, gauging the new defensive setup.
Immediately, Hayato closed the distance, shifting his stance and keeping low as he mirrored Makoto's movements. Takahiro, hands raised and knees bent, shadowed Tetsuo's off-ball cuts. Liam and Noboru positioned themselves closer to the paint, subtly shifting with each offensive movement to plug gaps.
"I see, so that's your strategy, Nanaho—a triangle and one. Takahiro guards Tetsuo, preventing him from shooting threes, while the rest play zone defense. Not bad, but we were already aware of this, so sit back and watch your plan crumble," said Makoto as he tapped his temple and signaled both Yukio and Shino.
Without hesitation, Shino pivoted, then slid his feet to set a sturdy screen against Takahiro. The contact was solid, and Takahiro's shoulder thudded into Shino's back as he tried to recover.
"Crap," muttered Takahiro, gritting his teeth and adjusting his footing, only to bump into another screen from Yukio, who had stepped up just in time.
Tetsuo flared out to the perimeter, caught Makoto's pass in stride, and elevated. His form was fluid—elbows tight, wrists flicking clean. The ball arced high and dropped clean through the net.
"Ahh!! Nice shot, Kawaguchi!!" screamed the girls, clapping excitedly from the sidelines.
Makoto really is smarter than he looks. Developing a counter for my strategy without even knowing what it actually is takes talent and great intuition. This guy really is a rare gem among diamonds. With him, we definitely have a team worthy of the Inter-High, thought Nanaho, momentarily stunned by the precision.
"Quit spacing out! Let's get one back!" shouted Hayato, already moving up the court. His hands gripped the ball tightly as he passed to Takahiro.
Takahiro, now clear of screens, called Liam forward. Liam set his wide frame firmly at the arc, giving Takahiro the space to pull up. The shot went up smooth, the net snapping on contact.
Makoto came down again, dribbling with tight control, and faked left before exploding right past Hayato. His step was quick and grounded, and his body remained balanced as he floated in a soft two-pointer.
Liam responded instantly, catching a pass from Takahiro and driving straight into the paint. His steps were heavy but controlled. His final leap sent his arms above both defenders as he slammed the ball through the rim.
Makoto's next possession saw him weave through the half-court setup before threading a bounce pass between defenders to Yukio. Yukio adjusted, took two steps, and laid it in off the glass.
"Nice one, Yukio-senpai!!" shouted a girl from the bleachers, waving enthusiastically.
Wow, defense isn't really the aim here. This is what's known as run and gun—relating to or being a fast, freewheeling style of play in basketball that de-emphasizes set plays and defense. Practically like soldiers throwing their shields out the window and battling it out with only swords to see who wins, thought Nanaho to herself, her eyes darting between players.
"Shoot! We're down six points."
"Don't worry, Hayato. I'll catch the rebound if you miss," said Liam, positioning near the wing as Hayato stepped behind the arc and launched the shot.
The rotation was perfect. The ball cut clean through the net.
"Hell yeah, it went in!" said Hayato happily, pumping his fist once.
Makoto responded by pushing the pace again. He slipped around Liam's reach and fired the ball into Yukio, who faked right. Liam shifted his weight, and Yukio countered left, heading to the paint. As Liam recovered, Makoto darted in behind, catching a quick pass and finishing an uncontested layup.
Team Hayato responded quickly. Noboru cut sharply, caught the ball at the wing, and attacked the lane, brushing past Yukio for a layup.
Makoto advanced and dished to Tetsuo, who took one hard dribble before accelerating past Takahiro. He rose just before Liam could jump and released the ball with a slight adjustment midair. The layup dropped, and Tetsuo hit the floor, but he rolled up immediately.
Noboru passed to Takahiro, who used his momentum and his body to create just enough space to finish through Tetsuo at the rim.
Yukio received the next pass in the paint, stepped back with a sharp pivot, and fired. The net rippled as it dropped in.
Liam got the ball again on the low block, used a spin to dislodge Yukio, and jumped into a two-handed dunk, shaking the rim as he landed.
Trying to widen the gap, Yukio and Shino sprinted to opposite sides and set a crushing double screen. Tetsuo sprinted to the open zone, received the ball, and shot. The three-pointer dropped with barely a sound.
"Crap, there's no way we can come back after that," said Takahiro, his hands on his hips.
"Don't let up, Takahiro! Let's keep pushing!" shouted Hayato, tightening his shoelaces at the free-throw line before sprinting into motion.
Liam stepped up and provided a clean screen. Hayato slipped by the help defense and finished the layup with a low release, his wrist flick smooth and decisive.
Makoto came back with poise, executing a cross over Hayato and launching a floater just above Liam's outstretched hand. It dropped clean.
Hayato pushed the pace and lobbed the ball to Liam, who leaped mid-stride and flushed it down with force, landing hard on the balls of his feet.
On the next play, Yukio screened off Takahiro at the elbow. Makoto's pass was timed to precision. Yukio rose into the shot and drained the midrange two.
"Noboru, set a screen for Takahiro now!!" shouted Hayato.
Noboru stepped in and bumped Makoto just long enough for Takahiro to cut to the basket, catch Hayato's bounce pass, and lay it up without resistance.
"There are just about forty seconds left! Let's pressure them full court!" said Hayato, voice sharp, as every player on his team snapped into position.
"Yes!" they shouted in unison, feet shifting rapidly into defensive stances.