Chapter 19: The Final Ball
The game had reached a fever pitch, with only three points separating the two sides. What Yu Hang and his teammates hadn’t expected was that Qiang took the ball himself, dribbled past half court, and faced Zheng Yuan head-on. With one swift step, he broke through and went straight for a layup.
Unexpectedly, Ming Han and Da Xu charged in from both sides, attempting to block him. Qiang forced the shot but missed—however, he drew a foul!
Free throws! He made one out of two.
If earlier Qiang relied on mid-range jumpers as his main weapon to conserve energy for the final quarter, now, in the last period, he was truly unleashing his fury.
Next possession, Yu Hang, after a crossover dribble outside the three-point line, rose up for a jumper. Score!
To be honest, his teammates were in incredible form today—even Da Xu had knocked down two three-pointers! Thanks to their phenomenal shooting touch, Class Thirteen managed to keep a tight grip on the score, never letting Class Seven pull away.
Time flew by, and the crowd clenched their fists in anticipation.
Not everyone could play basketball, but watching was an equally thrilling experience.
Ming Han remembered last year’s Lakers versus Magic finals—the only TV in the cafeteria was surrounded by a sea of people, hundreds gathered to watch the live broadcast.
Such is the allure of basketball.
“Hold your defense, don’t let up!” Yu Hang clapped his hands, rallying his team. He suddenly realized that ever since Ming Han had entered the game, the team’s morale had soared. They absolutely had what it took to win this match.
This quarter, Qiang was two for six, well below his usual level! Ming Han’s height and, though lean, his resilience made him a real threat. This certainly rattled Qiang.
Yet Qiang had already scored twenty-three points—top scorer of the game!
As expected, in the final minute, Qiang couldn’t stay patient. Surrounded by Ming Han and Zheng Yuan, he drove hard and drew another foul.
He made one of two.
Three points ahead!
Yu Hang took possession.
Ming Han sprinted along the baseline, shaking off his defender, and received the ball on the opposite side. Guarding him was Class Seven’s small forward.
Ming Han dribbled and broke through, catching the small forward off guard—Ming Han rarely attacked with the ball.
Qiang immediately came to help; he wasn’t about to let Ming Han exploit a mismatch against their small forward.
Ming Han seemed trapped!
Suddenly, Ming Han sent a long bounce pass forward, straight to Da Xu at the corner beyond the three-point line.
Da Xu quickly set himself and, with the clock nearly expired, launched a three.
Score!
Da Xu was on fire today! Three for six from deep.
The entire gym erupted—Class Thirteen had taken a one-point lead!
Thirty-five seconds remained.
Qiang took the ball himself, and Ming Han defended him one-on-one.
Qiang ran down the clock. With ten seconds left, he broke through and shot from the free-throw line!
Ming Han leaped high and lightly brushed Qiang’s arm. The whistle blew!
Another foul!
Ming Han looked helpless. Yu Hang was frustrated, “How was that a foul?”
Qiang steadied himself, sank the first free throw.
Ming Han whispered nearby, “Looks like you’re only hitting one out of two today.”
Qiang shot him a contemptuous glance and took the second shot—clang, missed!
Ten seconds left…
Yu Hang called a timeout! He wanted to run a pick-and-roll with Da Xu, betting on Da Xu’s hot hand.
Back on court:
Ming Han inbounded; Yu Hang received the ball, and Da Xu immediately set the screen.
Wu Jianhao stayed glued to Yu Hang, forcing him to pass.
Yu Hang passed behind his back to Da Xu; Qiang lunged over instantly.
Da Xu had no chance to shoot!
“My ball, Da Xu!” The voice rang out, urgent and loud!
Trusting his instincts, Da Xu passed toward the voice—Ming Han.
He was positioned one step inside the three-point line at a forty-five degree angle.
Two seconds left. Ming Han shot!
The whistle sounded.
Score!
Game over.