RUN AND GUN PLAY STYLE

They were really amazing out there, especially Team Hayato. They really held on until the very last second, tying the game, thought Nanaho as she walked over to Hayato.

"Nice work, guys," said Nanaho with a smile.

"That's easy for you to say, but we are at a slight disadvantage in this game, Nanaho," said Hayato as he wiped the sweat off his face.

"He's right. Even with Liam in our paint, it's still a challenge for us to keep up with them," said Takahiro.

"I have to agree as well. Although I am unstoppable on every possession, three points are worth more than two," said Liam logically.

"If only you'd pass me the ball more, Hayato, we'd be leading this damn game by now," said Noboru, pissed.

"What do you mean? I gave you plenty of passes, and you had a lot of opportunities to score. However, you didn't do anything but pass it to Liam," replied Hayato.

"The sheer humiliation I experienced because of you! It's all your fault that amateur got the better of me."

"Shut up!" said Nanaho angrily as she punched him on the shoulder.

"Ouch! Can you please stop doing that? It hurts, goddammit," said Noboru.

"Firstly, I haven't forgotten what you did earlier—arguing with those girls when you should be locked in. You shouldn't let anything distract you from a game. That's common sense 101 if you want to win. There's also something really bugging me, and that's the fact that you're making excuses, saying it was Hayato's fault that Shino bested you. Don't ever say that again.

"You don't know what Shino went through and endured just to improve and catch up to the team. He does extra training after training, and he doesn't rest or let up at all. So don't blame anyone for the fact that he's trouncing you. Blame yourself for your inability to guard him. He's improved greatly and is probably an overall better player than you now," said Nanaho.

"Then I guess I'll just have to show you that you're wrong," said Noboru as he smirked.

"I like your spirit, and I have a strategy that will help you keep Tetsuo in check, so don't worry. Let's see how they react to it," said Nanaho as she took out her tactics board.

"It looks like Nanaho is plotting something with them," said Yukio.

"What? But that's not fair," said Shino.

"It's obvious what her plan will be. Don't worry—I have an idea to counter this," said Makoto.

"I guess we're on the same page, Makoto. Let's do this," said Yukio.

"Alright, everyone, let's resume the game. Be sure to give it your all," said Nanaho as she blew the whistle.

Shino inbounded the ball to Makoto, who brought it up the court. Immediately, Hayato stepped up to guard him, and Takahiro quickly man-marked Tetsuo while both Noboru and Liam played rim protectors.

"I see, so that's your strategy, Nanaho—a triangle and one. Takahiro guards Tetsuo, preventing him from shooting threes, while the rest play zone defense. Not bad, but we were already aware of this, so sit back and watch your plan crumble," said Makoto as he signaled both Yukio and Shino, who nodded.

Shino immediately set a screen for Tetsuo, who utilized it and tried to get to an open space.

"Crap," said Takahiro as he ran around Shino, only to crash into a screen set by Yukio.

Makoto passed Tetsuo the ball, and he shot a three-pointer that swished.

"Ahh!! Nice shot, Kawaguchi!!" screamed the girls, impressed.

"Makoto really is smarter than he looks. Developing a counter for my strategy without even knowing what it actually is takes talent and great intuition. This guy really is a rare gem among diamonds. With him, we definitely have a team worthy of the Inter-High," thought Nanaho, shocked.

"Quit spacing out! Let's get one back!" said Hayato as he dribbled the ball up the court and passed it to Takahiro, who was guarded by Tetsuo.

Takahiro then signaled Liam to set a screen for him, and he shot a two-pointer that swished.

Makoto came down with the ball, crossed between his legs to get by Hayato, and scored a two-pointer.

Liam dribbled the ball to the rim and slammed it down.

Makoto passed the basketball through the gaps in their defense to Yukio, who scored a two-pointer.

"Nice one, Yukio-senpai!!" shouted a girl.

"Wow, defense isn't really the aim here. This is what's known as run and gun—relating to or being a fast, freewheeling style of play in basketball that de-emphasizes set plays and defense. Practically like soldiers throwing their shields out the window and battling it out with only swords to see who wins," thought Nanaho to herself.

"Shoot! We're down six points."

"Don't worry, Hayato. I'll catch the rebound if you miss," said Liam, reassuring Hayato, who then shot a three-pointer that swished.

"Hell yeah, it went in!" said Hayato happily.

Makoto dribbled the basketball down the court and passed to Yukio in the post, where he was guarded by Liam.

"I hate to admit it, but he's stronger than me. However, I'm more agile and skilled," thought Yukio to himself as he faked to the right and dribbled to the left.

He then went for a paint shot, but Liam was still in front of him. Makoto rushed to the key, and Hayato tried to follow, but Tetsuo screened him off. Yukio noticed Makoto and passed the ball, allowing him to score a wide-open layup.

Immediately after, the ball was passed to Noboru, who scored a layup.

Makoto then passed to Tetsuo, who drove to the rim, jumped into the air, and attempted a layup over Liam, who tried to block. He managed to score the layup and got back on defense.

Noboru passed the ball to Takahiro, who scored a layup on Tetsuo by utilizing his body.

Yukio, who received the ball in the paint once more, stepped back and shot a two-pointer that swished.

Liam received the ball in the paint and dunked on both Shino and Yukio.

To extend the lead, both Yukio and Shino set a double screen for Tetsuo, who ran into an open space and received a pass from Makoto. He then shot a three-pointer that swished.

"Crap, there's no way we can come back after that," said Takahiro.

"Don't let up, Takahiro! Let's keep pushing!" shouted Hayato as he quickly dribbled the ball up the court.

After receiving a screen from Liam, Hayato scored a layup.

Makoto then came down, crossed past Hayato, and shot a floater that swished.

Hayato threw a lob to Liam, who caught it in the air and slammed it into the rim.

After setting a screen for Makoto, Yukio found himself open at the elbow of the free-throw line, where Makoto passed the ball to him, and he shot a two-pointer that swished.

"Noboru, set a screen for Takahiro now!!" shouted Hayato as Takahiro ran to the hoop and received a pass, scoring an open layup.

"There are just about forty seconds left! Let's pressure them full court!" said Hayato as everyone shouted, "Yes!"