Chapter 124: A Bit Shameless

Six minutes and forty seconds into the first quarter, the Frontier Youth team trailed the European Chinese Youth team by 6 points. While the gap was not insurmountable, the flow of the game clearly showed that the Frontier team was being completely stifled.

The European Chinese Youth team dictated the tempo. With a high offensive efficiency, they consistently forced the Frontier team into half-court sets. Rather than pushing the pace, they prioritized rapid defensive rotations and precise help-side coverage. Even when they missed shots, the European team controlled the glass thanks to the sheer height of Alexander Luo. If not for Turgun’s continued hot shooting, the deficit might have already stretched into double digits.

Following his struggle against Hong Kai of the Guangdong Youth team in the previous match, Hawul found himself overshadowed by Alexander Luo once again. Luo not only possessed a significant height advantage but also overpowered Hawul in strength. In the past, even when Hawul faced taller opponents, he could hold his own by fighting for position and boxing out, but this time, he was completely outmatched. It was undeniable that players of mixed heritage often held certain physical advantages; Luo had clearly inherited his parents' superior genes, possessing not only a large, imposing frame but also handsome features.

As the team fell behind, the players began to grow impatient. This was inevitable; no matter how successful Wang Lei’s coaching had been, they were still young men in their early twenties, not seasoned veterans who could remain unflappable under pressure.

Coach Ratamantis sat comfortably on the bench, unconcerned about the game, even though less than a quarter had been played. His team’s loss to the Guangdong Youth team in the previous round had been entirely due to the opponent’s dominant center, Hong Kai, who had erupted for 36 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists, utterly crushing the European team’s interior defense. Ratamantis had been helpless against that performance, as the opponent had played a steady, physical game centered on interior dominance while surrounding the paint with shooters.

However, having conducted a detailed study of the Frontier team, Ratamantis felt confident. He recognized that their styles were similar, but since the Frontier team lacked a strong interior presence, he believed this game was winnable. He held a deep respect for Wang Lei, admiring the difficulty of the task Wang Lei faced compared to his own; while Ratamantis drew support from established overseas Chinese communities in Europe, Wang Lei was essentially building from scratch.

Wang Lei was observing the court intently. Trailing in score and losing the tactical battle, the team was in a difficult spot, but he remained calm. He had already identified the opponent’s vulnerability. As the game continued, Wang Lei refrained from calling a timeout. The deficit was manageable, and while his players were slightly agitated, they hadn't lost their composure. Furthermore, Turgun and Cai Aihong, his primary scoring threats, were finding their rhythm. There was no need for adjustments yet; the goal was simply to stay within striking distance and prevent the lead from ballooning.

By the end of the first quarter, the European Youth team had extended their lead to 9 points.

In the second quarter, both teams went to their benches. Sun Dexun used his speed to help the Frontier team trim the lead to 5 points. While the European team’s starting lineup was formidable, their bench lacked depth and perimeter defenders, allowing Sun Dexun to thrive as he repeatedly drove to the rim for "and-one" opportunities. Four minutes into the second quarter, Ratamantis began substituting his starters back in. Wang Lei remained patient, inserting only Turgun and Cai Aihong.

Once the European starters returned, they immediately regained control. Their defense was a disciplined zone; while they left some space for Turgun, they effectively neutralized everyone else. Turgun was aggressive, firing away from behind the arc, but the Frontier team couldn't stop the European offense, and the game remained firmly under the opponent's control. The second quarter ended as a stalemate, with Turgun contributing 16 points—including four of seven from three-point range—keeping the deficit at roughly 6 points.

Back in the locker room during halftime, Wang Lei followed his usual routine, allowing the players to analyze the game themselves. After playing half a match, they had a clearer understanding of their opponent: a team with strong tactical execution, great stamina, and no glaring defensive weaknesses. The players had few suggestions for the second half, other than the consensus that Turgun needed to keep shooting.

"You’re all right about one thing: they are a well-trained team. This is a pure European style—balanced scoring, tight defense, and team-oriented play. They don't have obvious weaknesses. But there is one thing you’ve overlooked," Wang Lei said, beginning his assessment after the players had finished.

"Have you noticed that their tall center, Alexander, rarely shoots? Even when he does, it’s only right at the rim or off a second-chance putback. Also, his free-throw shooting is terrible. He went to the line four times in the first half and only made one. He looks incredibly nervous at the charity stripe."

"Hey, he’s right! That guy is physically imposing, but he never shoots outside the paint," one player realized.

"Even so, what can we do? If he doesn't shoot, we still can't stop their offense," another remarked.

"No, there is a way. It might seem a bit shameless, but it will be effective," Wang Lei said with a cunning smile, leaving his players baffled.

"How do we play it?"

"Fouls. Every time they initiate an offense, I want you to target their tall center. Send him to the line, and then we must ensure our own offense remains efficient and fast. We need to disrupt their rhythm and their transition game."

"Will that really work?" the players asked, skeptical. They had never imagined using fouls as a tactical weapon in such a way.