The third day of the Youth Team's official training camp.
After breakfast, Mitsui and the others deliberately slowed their pace, trailing behind Nango, who was humming cheerfully.
Everyone wore strange expressions.
Nango was in an exceptionally good mood because of yesterday's phone call.
Kano had successfully convinced her parents to let her transfer to Shohoku.
The thought of seeing Kano at school every day made him want to return home immediately.
Of course, there were still two things he had to deal with:
How to explain things to Eri.
And how to get Kano placed into his class.
Aside from that, he had nothing to worry about.
Sakuragi whispered,
"Why is he so happy today?"
Mitsui snorted.
"Ever since that phone call yesterday, he's been like this. I bet it's because of his girlfriend."
Akagi shook his head.
"Instead of worrying about him, worry about yourselves. Don't forget why we're here."
Sakuragi clenched his fists.
Damn it! I have to give it everything today! I have to stay!
Mitsui, on the other hand, felt resigned.
He knew his chances were slim.
He was probably just here to be a sparring partner.
Rukawa Kaede lagged behind, walking unsteadily, half-asleep.
"Ah… they got away… no more bait…"
He hadn't gone fishing in ages.
After the warm-up laps, the assistant coach brought out red and blue training vests.
Anzai Jitsurei said calmly,
"We'll have a scrimmage this morning. When your name is called, step forward and take a vest."
The assistant coach began calling names.
"Kawata Masashi, Nango Koichiro, Rukawa Kaede, Moroboshi Dai, Maki Shinichi."
Five players stepped forward and put on red vests.
Then—
"Morishige Hiroshi, Tsuchiya Atsushi, Sendoh Akira, Matsumoto Minoru, Fukatsu Kazunari."
Five more stepped forward and took blue vests.
The remaining players grew tense.
Most of them already understood.
These ten were almost certainly the final picks.
This scrimmage was essentially the official announcement.
Sakuragi clenched his fists.
Not because he blamed the coach—
But because he hated how weak he was.
Fukuda felt the same.
They both desperately wanted to stay.
Yet there were only so many spots.
Maki quickly gathered the Red Team.
"Our offense will revolve around Morishige, same as the first day. Pick-and-rolls and inside pressure to try and draw him out. Any objections?"
Rukawa nodded.
Nango smiled.
"No problem. I finally get to fight alongside you, Senior Maki."
Maki chuckled.
"Then why don't you transfer to Hainan?"
Nango laughed.
"Too far from my house."
On the Blue Team's side, Fukatsu also made arrangements.
"Tsuchiya, help A-Kuan whenever possible. They'll target him."
"Got it."
"A-Kuan, watch your fouls. We can't afford to lose you early."
Morishige nodded.
Soon, both sides took the court.
At the jump ball, Kawata lost to Morishige.
Blue Team possession.
Fukatsu brought the ball up.
Maki guarded him one-on-one.
Nango, now playing power forward, matched up against Tsuchiya and kept a close eye on Morishige.
Fukatsu fed the ball inside.
Morishige backed down, turned—
Nango tried to help, but Morishige spun baseline.
Kawata rotated and blocked the shot.
Nango grabbed the rebound and pushed the ball to Maki.
Crossing half court, Nango set a solid screen.
Maki burst into the lane.
Fukatsu was delayed.
Tsuchiya stepped up to help.
Maki crossed him over and attacked again.
Morishige waited under the basket, unwilling to risk a foul.
Maki stopped and rose straight up.
Swish.
Red Team scored first.
Over the next few possessions, Morishige continued scoring inside.
On the other end, Maki kept penetrating, but Morishige refused to bite on foul bait.
Anzai Jitsurei smiled faintly.
"They're too obvious."
Fukatsu adjusted.
He passed to Sendoh.
Blue Team began spacing the floor.
Inside-out.
Ball movement.
Now the question was—
Could Sendoh break through Red's defense and shift the balance?