Three-Point Showdown

"My bad!" Aomine quickly admits his mistake, if it weren't for his impulsive foul on Hachimura, resulting in an "and-1" play, Hachimura would have only scored two points at most.

"No worries, we'll get it back soon" Shiro says calmly, shaking his head before stepping out of bounds to pass the ball to Akashi.

Akashi takes possession, dribbling swiftly to the top of the three-point arc. Noticing Shiro closely guarded by Watanabe, Akashi decides against asking Shiro to set a screen and instead signals for Aomine to come up and help.

Without hesitation, Aomine steps up, using his solid frame to screen Kawamura effectively.

"Ugh, blocked again!" Kawamura grumbles, feeling frustrated but accepting his disadvantage as the shortest player on the court. With his stature, he's often the primary target for Teiko's offensive plays.

The game continued according to the previous tactics, but this time it was the turn of Nebuya and Kawamura to switch defense.

Aomine now has the ball and makes a probing step to the right, but Kawamura doesn't bite, maintaining a two-and-a-half-foot distance. He knows Aomine's strength lies in his drives, not his shot, so he's willing to give him a bit of space.

At that moment, Aomine drives immediately, taking a big step toward Kawamura and executing a swift crossover. Kawamura, unable to keep up with the rapid move, is easily faked out.

Aomine charges unimpeded toward the basket. Hachimura, surprised by the sudden drive, attempts to step up and block. But Aomine, moving with precision, shifts direction, evades Hachimura's defense, and bounces the ball to Murasakibara, who's waiting in the paint.

Murasakibara grabs the ball without even looking at the scrambling Kawamura, leaps powerfully, grips the ball with both hands, and slams it into the hoop. Kawamura, rushing to block, ends up on the floor as the crowd roars in appreciation.

The score now stands at 6:5.

Hachimura extends a hand to help Kawamura up and then passes the ball back to him, sprinting quickly to the frontcourt. Kawamura dribbles up, reaching the offensive half with speed.

Seeing Mibuchi signal for the ball, he passes to him without hesitation, recognizing that Mibuchi is ready to take on Midorima.

Mibuchi locks eyes with Midorima and feels a surge of competitiveness. Despite the media's praise for Midorima, Mibuchi is determined to prove he's the best shooter in middle school basketball.

Midorima, fully aware of Mibuchi's threat, raises his right hand to block his shot vision. Mibuchi fakes a right drive, Midorima, wary from past moves, slightly shifts his weight.

Seeing the shift, Mibuchi seizes the opportunity, executing his Heaven Shot a fadeaway jump shot that opens space between him and Midorima. Midorima, realizing his mistake, tries to block, but with Mibuchi's release, the difference in reach makes it too late.

Swish!

The ball arcs beautifully into the hoop, winning a round of applause and cheers from the crowd.

The score is now 9:5.

It's Teiko's turn on offense. Akashi, knowing Midorima will be eager to respond, passes the ball as soon as they cross half-court, finding him two steps behind the three-point line. Mibuchi stays back, assuming Midorima wouldn't shoot from such a distance.

However, Midorima defies expectations, rising for a shot immediately. After releasing the ball, he turns and begins heading back to defense, glancing at a nail clipper on the bench as if to reassure himself, "I've done my best, now, it's up to fate"

As the Teiko players race back, the crowd is awestruck. "They trust each other so much that they start defending even before the shot's in!"

Midorima's "answer ball" swishes cleanly, quickly closing the gap to 9:8.

Watching Midorima retreat, Mibuchi's competitive spirit flares up. "Now, this is a real three-point showdown!" he thinks, his eyes locked on Midorima, filled with anticipation and confidence.

Kawamura crosses half-court again, and Mibuchi calls out for the ball. Kawamura passes it promptly. Mibuchi, holding the ball at the left-wing three-point line, watches Midorima standing only a step away, a glint of cunning in his eyes.

He makes another quick step to the right, feinting. This time, Midorima stays grounded, learning from his previous mistake and watching Mibuchi's every move. Seeing Mibuchi start to jump, Midorima leaps to block, fully committed.

But Mibuchi only smiles subtly, lowering his hands—the shot was a perfect pump fake. Midorima, too eager, loses his balance and collides with Mibuchi.

As Mibuchi begins his shot, he's using his Earth Shot technique, initiating a shooting motion, crouching to restart his shot, earning himself a rare four-point play opportunity.

Swish!

The ball sails into the net, and the referee's whistle blows almost simultaneously: "Teiko's No. 7, Shintaro Midorima, foul. One free throw."

The crowd erupts in applause, a 3+1 play like this is rare and demands both skill and a bit of luck!

Mibuchi calmly sinks the free throw.

With the score at 13:8, the next few minutes turn into a thrilling three-point shootout between Mibuchi and Midorima. Mibuchi's combination of his "Heaven Shot" and "Earth Shot" puts Midorima's defense to the test, while Midorima's off-ball movement, precise timing, and lightning-quick release push Mibuchi's limits.

The scoreboard climbs:

13 to 11,

16 to 11…

By the time the score reaches 28 to 26, both players are exhausted. The coaches, recognizing their fatigue, signal them to the bench to rest.

Surprisingly, only half of the first quarter has passed! Now, it's time for the other players to step up.