Nango made a mid-range shot. Turning around, Maki was about to set up a pick-and-roll with Soichiro Jin.
Seeing this, Nango shouted, "Rukawa Kaede, ignore Maki! Keep a close eye on Soichiro Jin!"
Rukawa Kaede froze. He didn't understand this decision—ignoring Maki would leave Shohoku's interior completely exposed, giving him free reign!
But instinctively, he trusted Nango, ignoring Maki and focusing on blocking Soichiro Jin's path.
"Oh? So they don't want Soichiro Jin taking a three-pointer…" Maki was surprised. Shohoku had such a precise counter, but there was no time to overthink it. He drove hard to the basket.
"Here he comes."
Nango didn't try to confront him head-on. Instead, he planted himself firmly under the basket, denying Maki an ideal shooting position. But Maki unexpectedly paused and released a short-range jump shot—almost from the same spot Nango had just used—and scored.
Maki smiled, teasing, "Is this your plan to defend me?"
"We'll see if it works." Nango knew his positioning had been slightly off. Even if Maki wasn't the strongest shooter, he could score from that close. Next time, Nango would need to adjust.
"Although the first-year Nango has a height advantage, he still can't fully cover for Akagi," Coach Kouzu murmured with satisfaction. His pre-game plan was unfolding perfectly.
Sakuragi couldn't hold back his curiosity. He approached Nango. "Why did you just let him score?"
Nango explained calmly, "Because 2 is less than 3. It's safer to give Maki two points than let Soichiro Jin shoot a three-pointer."
Sakuragi frowned. "Is that skinny guy really that accurate?"
Nango chuckled. "He's on Mitsui's level. What do you think?"
Maki and Soichiro Jin's pick-and-roll was like choosing between two poisons: either be stopped by Maki's drive or be shot by Kiyota. Nango's choice was simple—let Maki score while preventing the bigger threat.
He wasn't playing hero ball, so why should Maki risk it either?
Once Maki passed to his teammates, Shohoku could widen the score. Nango was confident Kainan couldn't stop their offense.
Nango ran out again, setting a pick-and-roll with Miyagi. Takasago's focus had to split between Nango and Miyagi. He hesitated for just a moment—and Miyagi was already in front, with Maki trailing, sandwiching him.
Miyagi kept driving forward, unfazed. Takasago tried to block the lane, and Maki reached from behind, attempting to poke the ball away.
No one noticed the smile on Miyagi's lips. He flicked his wrist, sending the ball neatly through Takasago's legs into Nango's hands.
"Good pass!" Nango immediately made another mid-range shot.
Kainan's defense was in trouble. They had no easy solution against Nango. His offensive versatility was frightening—he could roll to the paint, shoot mid-range, or even fire beyond the three-point line.
Coach Kouzu closed his fan, muttering, "This kid… is dangerous."
Maki made his tactical call. "Kiyota, Miyagi's yours."
"Yes…" Kiyota glanced at Rukawa Kaede. Reluctant, but obedient to the plan.
Maki dribbled toward the right side, signaling his teammates. Soichiro Jin moved to the weak side near the top of the arc, while Takasago and Muto adjusted toward the perimeter.
Nango and Sakuragi instinctively moved with them. Shohoku's interior was now empty, and Maki drove straight through.
"Damn… is this national-level play?" Miyagi struggled to keep up, helpless as Maki easily made a layup.
Nango assessed the offense carefully: clearing the paint for Maki while Takasago set a screen for Soichiro Jin. Kainan wasn't just tactically skilled—they were playing on a whole different level.
When inbounding from the baseline, Nango noticed Miyagi's tense expression. He encouraged him, "Senior, focus on stealing the ball or disrupting their rhythm. No need to force it."
"Understood," Miyagi replied.
Aida Yayoi closed her notebook and packed up. "After this play, we'll check on Ryonan and Fukuda's game."
Nakamura was surprised. "So soon? The game just started…"
"Short-staffed. Besides, the first half doesn't need too much observation."
"Oh? Miss Aida, what do you think will happen?"
Shohoku was at a disadvantage. Aida explained casually, "Kainan's pick-and-rolls are unstoppable right now. First-year Nango is performing well, but Kainan will likely find a way to counter him. By the time we return, Kainan should have widened the lead—but Akagi should be back in the second half. That's when it gets really exciting."
Miyagi dribbled forward. Kiyota guarded him, Maki tangled with Nango, and Takasago focused on Sakuragi.
Nango didn't bother fighting for position. Facing Kiyota's defense, Miyagi felt less pressure and found an opening to lob the ball to Nango.
Receiving it, Nango provocatively faced Maki. "You can't stop me either."
He jab-stepped, then arced the ball from left to right and pulled up for a shot. It went in.
"My hand's hot today," Nango said, pressing his advantage.
Maki was unfazed. "Hope it stays that way."
Kiyota bristled. How dare he talk to Maki like that… He planned to find the right moment to teach Nango a lesson.
Maki dribbled left, this time passing to Takasago to test Nango's defense. Takasago tried to push back but couldn't move Nango an inch—far exceeding expectations.
Takasago: 191 cm, 80 kg.
Nango: 192 cm, 90 kg.
The height difference was minimal, but the weight disparity made all the difference. Nango wasn't as muscular as Akagi, yet his weight was just as solid. First-time opponents quickly learned the consequences.
Takasago tried to pivot toward the basket, but Nango poked the ball away effortlessly. Rukawa Kaede snatched it, and Nango immediately shouted, "Fast break!"
Shohoku surged forward, transitioning from defense to offense, crashing into Kainan's half like a tidal wave.
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