NOVEL NEXT Chapter 50: A Battle with No Way Out!
"They've taken the lead! Shohoku has taken the lead!"
"Unbelievable! Shohoku's scoring power is incredible!"
"In less than five minutes, they've closed a 16-point gap!"
The entire crowd watched in shock as Rukawa's wide-open three-pointer swished through the net, putting Shohoku ahead.
The clock showed that less than five minutes had passed since the comeback began.
Ryu was under heavy surveillance from Ryonan, making it nearly impossible for him to even touch the ball.
But with Rukawa left open, the former junior high MVP proved he could change the course of a game on his own.
Sendoh couldn't cover both scoring threats at once.
It was like choosing between two poisons:
Let Rukawa dominate with one-on-one plays.
Or risk Ryu killing them with relentless three-pointers.
The audience began to realize how formidable Shohoku had become.
Not only did they have Akagi, one of Kanagawa's top four centers, anchoring the paint, but they also had two consistent scorers on the perimeter.
Most importantly, both Rukawa and Ryu could score efficiently one-on-one. If left unchecked, they could dismantle Ryonan's defense.
Ayako stood at Shohoku's bench, waving her fan high. "Shohoku, fight! Shohoku, fight!"
The shouts of encouragement for Shohoku grew louder and more energetic throughout the gym.
Ryonan's players looked grim, their expressions dark.
With no other option, Coach Taoka called another timeout.
Sendoh let out a long sigh.
Even though he had been trying his best to score, he couldn't keep up with Shohoku's relentless offensive surge.
Despite his efforts, Ryonan still couldn't avoid falling behind.
Surprisingly, Coach Taoka wasn't furious. Instead, he calmly addressed his players.
"Shohoku isn't the same team we faced before. They've exceeded our expectations. But you're not weak either! The game isn't over yet, so don't give up. Keep your spirits up!"
Coach Taoka was no fool. He had already identified Shohoku's key strengths.
Their lineup featured two exceptional offensive players and a dominant center.
With such a setup, unless all their shooters went cold, they weren't easy to beat—even against Ryonan's double-core strategy of Sendoh and Uozumi.
He glanced at Uozumi, a hint of regret in his eyes.
Even now, Uozumi couldn't bring out his full potential when facing Akagi. It wasn't a matter of skill—it was psychological.
Uozumi sat on the bench, head down, a towel draped over his head.
"If I played better—if I were tougher—Shohoku wouldn't have turned the game around so quickly," he thought, blaming himself.
Coach Taoka patted his players on the shoulders. "The game isn't over yet. They're only ahead by one point."
He turned his focus to strategy.
"From now on, play tight defense. Don't give them any easy shots. On offense…"
Coach Taoka glanced at Uozumi, then at Sendoh, who remained silent. "Sendoh, you'll handle all offensive plays."
In contrast, Shohoku's bench was relaxed and upbeat.
Coach Anzai smiled warmly as he looked at Rukawa and Ryu.
"This year's freshmen are outstanding. Ryu and Rukawa are top-tier scorers. Ryonan's defeat is only a matter of time."
He nodded in approval.
"You've both played exceptionally well."
Then, he laid out the team's final strategy.
"For the rest of the game, Rukawa will handle the ball, and Ryu will play off-ball. Let's maintain our lead until the buzzer."
"Yes, Coach!"
Ryonan had possession.
The team returned to the court with a noticeably more cautious approach.
Sendoh signaled to Ishigaki, who immediately moved to block Rukawa's right side.
Kogure, who was guarding Ishigaki, failed to react in time, leaving Sendoh open for a three-pointer.
The shot swished through the net.
Ryonan reclaimed the lead!
"Sendoh-senpai is amazing!"
"As long as Sendoh-senpai is here, Ryonan always has a chance to win!"
"This is what makes him our ace!"
The Ryonan fans erupted into cheers.
Ryonan opted for an aggressive man-to-man defense, with Sendoh personally guarding Rukawa.
As Ryonan's ace, Sendoh's defense was as formidable as his offense.
Rukawa tried repeatedly but couldn't shake him.
Taking a tough jumper was too risky; the memory of Sendoh's block earlier was still fresh in his mind.
Frustrated, Rukawa passed the ball to Ryu.
Ryu, now fully in rhythm, didn't flinch. Even against Sendoh, he showed no hesitation.
As for Koshino, who was tasked with marking Ryu, his defense was riddled with openings in Ryu's eyes.
With a sly smile, Ryu spoke softly. "Did you really think you could stop me like this?"
Activating his court vision, Ryu read Koshino's next move. "You're moving left, aren't you?"
A quick between-the-legs crossover left Koshino behind in an instant.
"What?!" Koshino watched in shock as Ryu easily blew past him.
Ryu pulled up for a clean jump shot.
The ball swished through the net.
The score was tied again!