Slam dunk, hit 100% of the three-pointers at the beginning!

The first half had ended, and both teams returned to their respective benches to strategize for the second half.

In the stands, the Ryonan students glanced at the scoreboard, their faces lighting up with optimism as the score difference was only four points.

"Akagi isn't coming back anytime soon. Based on our performance in the last five minutes of the first half, beating a Shōhoku without Akagi shouldn't be an issue."

"Exactly. Even if that No. 10 comes back, it won't change anything. The paint belongs to Uozumi."

"Ryonan, keep pushing!"

Their cheers echoed through the gym as the Ryonan players wiped sweat from their brows in the rest area.

Hikoichi scurried between players, handing out water and towels, all the while encouraging them with a bright smile. "Sendo-senpai, Uozumi-senpai, everyone, keep it up!"

Despite his enthusiasm, his abilities as a player left much to be desired. Like Sakuragi, he wasn't much more than a beginner.

Sendo sat calmly, sipping water. His relaxed expression showed he hadn't exerted much effort in the last five minutes, focusing instead on assisting Uozumi and Ikegami to secure points.

Coach Taoka, on the other hand, didn't share the same ease. His furrowed brows betrayed his dissatisfaction with Ryonan's inability to take the lead by halftime.

"Sendo," Taoka began, his tone sharp. "What's going on out there? We should've already pulled ahead by a wide margin. Against a team like Shōhoku, we should easily score 100 points, but look at where we are now."

Taoka shifted his attention to Uozumi, offering a strategic directive. "Uozumi, dominate the paint and secure those rebounds. Sendo, keep drawing the defense and create opportunities for Uozumi to score."

The strategy was clear. With Akagi sidelined, the paint was Ryonan's domain.

"Understood, Coach!" Uozumi declared, thumping his chest. Without Akagi to challenge him, he believed there was no one on Shōhoku's roster capable of stopping him.

Meanwhile, on the Shōhoku bench, Ayako had taken Akagi to the medical room, leaving the rest of the team under Coach Anzai's guidance.

"Well done, everyone," Anzai began, his calm demeanor soothing the exhausted players. "We're still in the lead, but with Akagi out, our interior defense will be under immense pressure. Sakuragi-kun, can you handle this responsibility?"

The question caught everyone off guard, especially Sakuragi, who had been daydreaming.

"The paint?" Sakuragi muttered, blinking in confusion.

The paint, as Anzai explained, is the most crucial area in basketball, serving as the team's defensive and rebounding stronghold.

The other players exchanged worried glances. Could Sakuragi really step into Akagi's shoes? While Akagi had been teaching him post moves during practice, Sakuragi lacked real game experience—and his reckless personality didn't inspire much confidence.

However, Sakuragi's expression shifted. His usual cocky grin was replaced with a rare seriousness. "Alright. If you're trusting me, leave it to me!" he declared.

Seeing Sakuragi's resolve, Anzai nodded and resumed planning.

"Ryu-kun, you'll continue resting for now. It's not yet the critical moment. For now, the lineup remains the same, but I want Sakuragi and Tsunoda to switch defensive assignments."

The decision surprised the team. The others cast puzzled looks at their coach but refrained from questioning his authority.

Ryu, however, furrowed his brow, unsure of Anzai's reasoning. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, the referee blew the whistle signaling the start of the second half.

The players took their positions, but the absence of Ryu on the court didn't go unnoticed by the crowd.

"Why isn't Shōhoku's No. 10 playing?"

"What kind of strategy is this?"

"If that's the case, Ryonan will crush them in no time!"

As the confusion spread through the gym, Anzai leaned back in his chair beside Ryu.

"Ryu-kun, are you rested?" he asked, his tone as calm as ever. "Prepare yourself. You'll go in three minutes."

Ryonan started with possession.

Sendo wasted no time, passing the ball to Ikegami, who was matched up against Sakuragi.

The red-haired rookie, grinning from ear to ear, taunted his opponent.

"Old man, don't think you can get past the great genius Sakuragi!"

However, his overconfidence proved costly. While Sakuragi was lost in his fantasy of stealing the ball and scoring a thunderous dunk, Ikegami easily sidestepped him and drained a mid-range shot.

The crowd roared as Ryonan closed the gap further.

"What happened?!" Sakuragi stammered, looking around in confusion as his teammates glared at him.

"Sakuragi! Focus, or I'll hit you myself!"

As the game continued, Ryonan exploited Sakuragi's inexperience, quickly racking up points.

"Sakuragi is clearly the weak link," Taoka noted with a smirk. "This game is ours now."

Sakuragi's repeated mistakes—including traveling violations and offensive fouls—drew groans from the Shōhoku bench.

However, just as the crowd began to lose hope for Shōhoku, Ryu stood up.

The scoreboard read 39:37, with Ryonan just two points behind.

Anzai smiled. "It's time. Ryu-kun, show them why you're here."

As Ryu stepped onto the court, the atmosphere shifted. The crowd buzzed with anticipation.

"What's Shōhoku's No. 10 planning now?"

The second half had just begun, but with Ryu entering the game, it was clear: this wasn't over yet.