Chapter 154: The First Time (Part Two)

The basketball bounced back and forth between Turgun’s hands. His dribbling center of gravity was extremely low, the ball barely touching the ground before instantly returning to his other hand. This dribbling rhythm made it entirely impossible for Zhu Guoqing, who was guarding him, to steal the ball.

As a Black player who had always considered himself ethnically Chinese, this young man had witnessed countless talents throughout his years of basketball career: some with astonishing explosiveness and vertical leaps as if dual-springs were installed in their soles, others as strong as oxen and dubbed human bulldozers, and still others with flashy dribbling resembling butterflies flitting through flowers. Yet, upon meeting Turgun—this pale-faced young man suffering from illness—all those aforementioned talents suddenly seemed insignificant. Although Turgun lacked a robust physique, making him look somewhat fragile, his astonishing ball feel genuinely left Zhu Guoqing and everyone on the North American Youth Team in awe.

With the game entering the final seven minutes of the fourth quarter, both sides simultaneously substituted their starting lineups.

On the Xinjiang Youth Team side, Turgun and Cai Aihong executed continuous screen-and-roll plays. Although the North American Youth Team had prepared for it, under Turgun’s superior individual capability, the Xinjiang Youth Team’s offense still yielded results.

With Turgun’s aggressive drives drawing defensive attention, the other players on the Xinjiang Youth Team were also able to find shooting opportunities at the right moments, rendering the North American Youth Team’s defense-focused strategy—adopted since the latter half of the third quarter—ineffective.

However, the North American Youth Team also achieved decent offensive results. Robert Lee might have been overly selfish in previous matches, but as the critical moment of the game arrived, this fellow, who was single-mindedly eager to prove his abilities, began to shed his impractical mindset. He knew that if the team lost, even if he posted phenomenal individual statistics, all the spotlight would likely be stolen by the "pale-faced kid" on the opposing side. Therefore, by hook or by crook, he wanted his team to secure the victory. Of course, there was also the fact that he had at least reached a basic consensus with his teammates: Turgun’s face was indeed remarkably pale.

A center with defensive capability, post-up skills, passing vision, and decent physical conditions is extraordinarily important to a team. Although this center was under two meters tall, in youth-level competitions, such a center could be described as a team's anchor. Wang Lei had to resort to his current tactical setup simply because he could not find such a center; if he had an outstanding center player like Robert Lee, he would decisively employ an inside-outside combination, which was virtually the most effortless and simplest approach in nearly all basketball tactics.

With Robert Lee anchoring the team's spine in the interior, the North American Youth Team’s offense grew sharp. Without double-teaming Robert Lee, the opponent would simply isolate against Hawul with extremely high efficiency; if they did double-team, the perimeter defense would inevitably leave someone open. As long as Robert Lee kicked the ball out to the perimeter, it translated into an excellent scoring opportunity. Moreover, the North American Youth Team possessed "quasi-professional players" like Zhu Guoqing, whose playing style relied heavily on perimeter shooting.

With six minutes and five seconds remaining in the game, Turgun and Cai Aihong once again executed a pick-and-roll for the Xinjiang Youth Team. Facing Turgun, who kept driving into the paint to score, the North American Youth Team had no choice but to collapse their defense toward the key. Turgun timely dished the ball to Si Junwei stationed in the corner. This player, usually utilized as a utility man by Wang Lei, showed no hesitation today and drained a three-pointer, narrowing the deficit to just one point.

Next, the North American Youth Team orchestrated an inside-outside coordination on offense. Taking advantage of Wang Zhaohui’s declining stamina, Zhu Guoqing shook off his defender at the forty-five-degree angle and received a pass from Robert. Without a moment's hesitation, Zhu Guoqing released his shot directly. The ball accurately found the net, but unfortunately, Zhu Guoqing’s foot was on the three-point line when he shot.

The Xinjiang Youth Team once again executed a brilliant play. Cai Aihong, who had consistently set high screens without rolling inward, suddenly cut into the paint to draw defensive attention. Turgun delivered a behind-the-back pass to Hawul at the free-throw line. Robert from the North American Youth Team instinctively rotated to help defend Hawul, yet Hawul—long notorious for his unrefined skills—surprisingly delivered a deft pass, floating the ball near the rim. Cai Aihong utilized his height advantage to slam the ball through the hoop, bringing the score difference back to a single point.

Shortly after, the North American Youth Team committed an offensive turnover. As Robert Lee received the ball, Hawul—suddenly flashing from behind—intercepted it. Robert Lee decisively committed a foul, denying the Xinjiang Youth Team an opportunity for a fast break.

Since the North American Youth Team had not yet reached the limit for team fouls, the Xinjiang Youth Team inbounded the ball from the frontcourt.

The Xinjiang Youth Team failed to capitalize on this golden opportunity to take the lead; Turgun’s pass toward the baseline was intercepted by Ricardo, who had anticipated the play and positioned himself in advance.

The North American Youth Team did not seize the chance to run a fast break; they strictly adhered to coach Gao Ming’s instructions to slow the pace.

Advancing to the frontcourt and setting up in a half-court offense, Robert Lee made up for his previous turnover with a sharp individual post-up play, drawing a foul from the rotating defender Cai Aihong and converting a three-point play. The lead was extended to four points.

At this moment, four minutes and two seconds remained on the clock.

The intense match left the spectators on the sidelines cheering in absolute delight. Compared to adult-division games, youth-division contests might lack star power, but because the playing styles of both teams were relatively unrestrained, the level of excitement far surpassed that of defense-dominated adult games.

Next, the Xinjiang Youth Team withstood the pressure. Cai Aihong sank a resolute three-pointer from the top of the arc, once again pulling his team within a single point. He remained unaffected by having just given up a three-point play to Robert.

Cai Aihong, whom everyone on the team affectionately called "Old Cai," was unquestionably a tough guy. Housed within his frame—often described by most as having a "rib-rack physique"—was an unyielding belief and an uncompromising will. A person like Cai Aihong might be alienated by many in ordinary social settings, but in professions such as athletics or the military, he possessed massive advantages.

Although Turgun had not scored many points during this stretch, he managed the team's offense in an orderly fashion. Utilizing his three-point threat and driving ability, Turgun expertly delivered assists to his teammates.

Subsequently, the North American Youth Team’s offense misfired once again. After drawing a double-team, Robert Lee kicked the ball out to a wide-open Ricardo. Ricardo—who proudly claimed to be of "eight-country mixed Chinese heritage"—shockingly delivered an airball on a completely uncontested shot, and the rebound was calmly hauled down by Hawul in the paint.

It had to be said that reaching this stage of the finals, Ricardo’s mental fortitude was beginning to crack. His previous shot had been extremely hesitant, and his shooting mechanics had visibly broken down.

With just over three minutes left in the game, the ball was now in the hands of the Xinjiang Youth Team. They were merely a single step away from the glory of their very first championship.