It was still Jabberwock's possession. Nash played more steadily this time, passing the basketball to Shidou. After receiving the ball, Shidou switched it back and forth between his left and right hands, then used a feint to try to break past Aiden!
However, Aiden, who had entered "Flow," had improved his defensive ability by more than a level. He stayed glued to Shidou, not losing his defensive position at all.
Seeing he couldn't shake Aiden, Shidou pulled back. "A bit interesting! But... not being able to break through doesn't mean I can't score!"
Shidou switched the ball between his hands, constantly adding spin.
After several between-the-legs dribbles, the basketball seemed to vanish.
Aiden, who had been staring at him the whole time, saw his pupils dilate—because Shidou had already turned to head back on defense.
Swish!!!!
The crisp sound of the net echoed.
At that moment, Aiden was filled with shock.
Shidou left one sentence behind as he turned: "Spin~ isn't played like that!"
Tyronn, in the paint, looked at the dazed Aiden with a solemn expression.
"I underestimated Jabberwock. That number 12 looks even more troublesome than Nash."
Aiden turned his head stiffly. "Captain... did you see that clearly?"
Tyronn shook his head. Aiden had blocked his view, and he had been focused on limiting Jason.
Charles suddenly spoke. "He kept dribbling between his legs, but the ball's spin increased each time. On the last dribble, he didn't catch it. The ball hit the ground with a strange spin and... bounced into the net."
"How... is that possible..." Aiden murmured. As the creator of spin shots, he understood how difficult that was.
"It happened," Charles said calmly. Everyone has their own abilities.
Tyronn glanced at Charles. Despite being the youngest, he showed maturity beyond his years.
He couldn't help recalling Sierra Canyon High School's previous recruitment attempt. Maybe it was worth reconsidering...
Meanwhile, Jason, retreating on defense, passed by Shidou. "Little Shidou, after the game, I'll find you the most beautiful girl as a reward!!!"
Shidou looked disgusted. "Your brain is full of nonsense..."
Nash walked over and high-fived him. "Didn't expect your touch to be this good."
"That's thanks to your pass. It was the most comfortable pass I've ever received—like... a new life being born!"
"Hahaha!"
Nash smiled, clearly pleased.
"Here they come!" Nash's expression turned serious as the Backboard Breakers inbounded.
Jason brought the ball past half-court. Charles cut behind Nick, and Jason delivered a precise pass.
Nick immediately closed out. With no space, Charles passed to Aiden.
Aiden drove right instantly. Shidou slid to defend—
Bang!
He collided with Kline's screen.
Aiden broke free. Jabberwock collapsed on defense, and Nick rotated over.
But Aiden passed out to Charles on the perimeter.
The moment Charles caught it, Nash had already rotated like a phantom.
"Don't even think about it."
Nash's fingertips grazed the ball, altering its trajectory. The shot clanged off the front rim.
"Rebound!!!" Nash shouted.
Inside the paint, two giants collided—
Tyronn vs. Jason.
Tyronn's "Stone Domain" activated fully, his body like a wall. But Jason's "Savage Tyrant" gave no ground.
"Hah!!!"
Jason roared and leapt.
But Tyronn stayed grounded, boxing out until the ball descended—then jumped.
His hand covered the ball like a canopy.
At that moment—
Jason's pupils shrank.
Mid-air, he burst again, jumping even higher.
Shock flashed in Tyronn's eyes.
"What?!"
Both grabbed the ball at the same time. Their strength deformed it slightly.
Crrrk!
The whistle blew—jump ball!
They landed heavily. Tyronn was breathing hard; Jason's eyes were bloodshot.
With 30 seconds left in the second quarter, Jabberwock led by 1 point.
The referee stepped into the circle.
Silence.
"Ready?"
The ball went up—
"Hah!!"
Both exploded upward.
Jason's "Savage Tyrant" pushed him to the limit, reaching the ball first.
But Tyronn's jump, though slower, carried overwhelming force.
Bang!!
Both struck the ball at once. It stalled mid-air.
"What kind of jump ball is that?!" the crowd trembled.
The ball spun violently—
Backboard Breakers' ball!
Aiden dashed in and grabbed it.
"Fast break!!"
They surged forward. Jabberwock retreated.
Jason slammed the floor, then chased back.
Tyronn panted heavily—this duel was draining even for him.
Aiden drove, drawing Shidou and Allen. Charles followed.
Aiden passed, but poorly. Nash lunged.
Charles rushed the shot—
Bang!
Miss.
Nash grabbed the rebound but immediately passed to Shidou as Kline closed in.
19 seconds left.
No rush.
Shidou crossed half-court and passed to Nash.
10 seconds.
Nash slowed down, controlling the pace. The arena grew tense.
Jason lowered his stance, sweat dripping.
Nash's dribble was steady—each bounce deadly.
8 seconds.
He moved.
A lightning crossover shifted Jason.
Nash accelerated.
"Not getting past!" Jason chased.
Nash entered the arc—Tyronn rotated, sealing angles.
5 seconds.
Nash smirked.
Behind-the-back—step-back.
Space created.
Jason recovered—double team!
Nash was trapped.
"It's over!" Jason reached.
3 seconds.
Nash fired a bounce pass through the gap.
Shidou caught it.
Aiden lunged—
Too late.
Shidou jumped.
"The final shot... is mine!"
He leaned back mid-air, releasing instantly—
Swish!!!!
Buzzer!!!
Three-pointer!!!
28—24
Jabberwock leads!!!
Jason grabbed Shidou in a headlock, rubbing his head. "You brat! Nice!"
"Easy! You tyrant!" Shidou struggled.
Nash exhaled slowly, smiling.
Nick and Allen rushed over—one jumped on Shidou's back, the other slapped him repeatedly.
The entire arena rose, cheering for Shidou's final shot!