Chapter 116: Wolf and Tiger (Part Four)

Hawler was feeling utterly frustrated today. He simply couldn’t recapture the rhythm he once had in previous games. His defense was ineffective, he couldn’t secure rebounds, and no matter how much effort he put in, the opposing center moved with the slippery agility of an eel, completely unfazed by his strength. Meanwhile, their mid-range shots were astonishingly precise. Though the game was only halfway through the quarter, Hawler already felt as if he were chasing shadows, exhausted and overwhelmed.

The score margin oscillated between four and six points. The Frontier team maintained a decent shooting percentage, especially Turgon, nicknamed the Little Rabbit. Despite Zhao Yongji’s tenacious defense, Turgon consistently found his shot. Yet, the Guangdong Provincial Youth Team’s offense was equally impressive. Hong Kai showcased his all-around skills inside the paint—nimble footwork, reliable mid-range shots. Zhao Yongji, though repeatedly scored upon by Turgon, demonstrated his own offensive aggression by frequently driving to the basket. To avoid foul trouble, Turgon could only watch as opponents charged into the paint, either scoring layups or cooperating with Hong Kai to convert plays.

The pace of offense and defense accelerated steadily. Although this faster rhythm was typical for the Frontier team, the Guangdong Provincial Youth Team displayed equal ease and composure.

Coach Li Baofeng of the Guangdong Provincial Youth Team glanced toward Wang Lei, who stood on the sidelines watching intently. A sense of pride welled in Li’s heart. At just over forty years old, Li Baofeng was already envisioning the future of his career, especially in contrast to Wang Lei.

Li Baofeng had also been a player in his youth, but unlike Wang Lei’s illustrious career, his own professional journey was relatively obscure. After retiring, Li chose to study in North America, where he began coaching—starting at the high school level, then as an assistant at prestigious universities. It took him six years to reach his current standing. Last year, he accepted a commission from a former teammate, now a leader in the Guangdong Provincial Sports Management Center’s basketball department, and resolutely returned to his homeland with a coaching staff trained in the North American system.

With generous resources and a solid player foundation, Li Baofeng and his team led the Guangdong Provincial Youth Team to an undefeated record, reaching the finals of the National Games. Should he achieve good results in the upcoming matches, professional teams would likely come calling. Thus, Li took this youth team competition very seriously. He had meticulously studied all sixteen qualifying teams. Regarding the Frontier Youth Team, he regarded them as a distinctive but second-tier squad. Li believed that if his team could adapt to their rhythm, victory would surely be theirs. As for Wang Lei’s coaching ability, Li was somewhat dismissive, convinced that Wang’s success owed more to luck in discovering a prodigy like Turgon than to tactical prowess, which he considered merely somewhat distinctive.

While Li Baofeng maintained a steady mindset, Wang Lei was far from panicked. Though pacing the sidelines, he was satisfied with the team’s current state—at least no major breakdowns had occurred. The outcome now depended on whether the players could sustain their performance.

As the first quarter neared its end, both teams made substitutions. Wang Lei, cautious, rested Hawler and two others who were running low on energy. The in-form Cai Aihong and Turgon remained on the court, continuing the chase against the Guangdong Provincial Youth Team.

On the other side, Li Baofeng was bold. Only Zhao Yongji remained on the court; the rest were sent to rest.

Li Baofeng understood that the Frontier team’s stamina was impressive, so he carefully managed his players’ energy. Hong Kai, who had expended significant effort on both ends, had to rest. Although there was a risk the opposition might catch up and overtake the score during this time, Li valued the overall flow of the game above short-term gains.

In the final two minutes of the first quarter, Turgon and Cai Aihong executed consecutive pick-and-roll plays, with Turgon sinking a three-pointer and a two-pointer. Cai, leveraging his height advantage, scored a three-point play near the basket.

However, the Guangdong Provincial Youth Team’s bench players appeared somewhat tense upon entering the game, committing turnovers that allowed the Frontier Youth Team to reclaim a four-point lead in the closing moments.

The second quarter began, and Wang Lei substituted Turgon and Cai Aihong. Though Sun Dexun was quick, the Frontier Youth Team was undeniably outmatched. Under tight defense, they repeatedly faltered. Their four-point lead vanished in under two minutes, and in the next four minutes, they managed only three points while the Guangdong Provincial Youth Team unleashed a 14-3 scoring run, stretching the margin to double digits for the first time.

Confronted with this situation, Wang Lei had no choice but to bring Turgon and Cai Aihong back onto the court, keeping the underperforming Sun Dexun in play as well.

After the substitutions, Sun Dexun handled the ball, Turgon shifted to shooting guard while still playing power forward, and though struggling, Hawler was forced to continue guarding the opposing core, Hong Kai.

The Guangdong Provincial Youth Team’s displayed strength was impressive—not overwhelming, but carrying the aura of a ruler, like a fierce tiger stalking its prey. No one dared to underestimate their momentum.

By contrast, the Frontier Youth Team looked lackluster; aside from Turgon and Cai Aihong, few others contributed meaningful points or statistics.

Unconsciously, the Frontier players grew impatient. Though Turgon’s shots remained accurate, his choices became reckless, sometimes shooting at ill-advised moments, unsettling even Wang Lei. Cai Aihong abandoned his previously steady mid-range game, instead forcing his way toward the basket.

Though the margin didn’t widen further, Wang Lei sensed the unfavorable shift. He had to call another timeout to regroup; the previous strategy of relying heavily on Turgon and Cai Aihong’s aggressive attacks was no longer viable.

“Their tactics are very effective; our prior plan has lost its impact,” Wang Lei addressed his team. “From now on, we need more firepower. Turgon, you must move more actively—run into dangerous zones and spaces crowded with opponents to draw their defenders and disrupt their formation. Old Cai, you also need to get moving. On defense, you and Hawler must double-team Hong Kai. If necessary, be aggressive—don’t let him score easily. Everyone else, take your shots boldly whenever you get the chance. Hawler, rebounds are critical now. You have a heavy task ahead. Control the boards and contest Hong Kai physically. Though he’s stronger, you must position yourself smartly.”