Chapter 155: A Clash of Wits

“Oh my, that shot—another one by Cai Aihong! That’s his 17th point of the game, a beautifully executed basket right under the hoop. Standing at 2.02 meters but weighing less than 90 kilograms, Cai Aihong managed to score against the North American youth team’s interior defense and even drew a foul. I have to say, this player is incredibly tenacious—he threw the ball up under almost impossible circumstances, and amazingly, it went in.”

In the CCTV broadcast studio, host Huang Zhoucheng’s voice was filled with excitement. With just over two minutes left in the game, Cai Aihong’s and-one was undeniably crucial.

“Truly lucky. They say fortune favors the prepared, but I believe it’s this young man’s sheer determination. His ability to fight through contact and push himself at such a critical moment shows he’s both strong and brave.”

Commentator Zhang Guohai was equally stirred by Cai Aihong’s shot, which was made while he was nearly falling to the ground.

“This is what basketball is all about. Look at this young man—if every player fought like him…”

“Good, the free throw is good. The game continues.”

Cai Aihong’s performance even tempted the usually silent Lin Zhifei to speak, but Huang Zhoucheng quickly cut him off.

With two minutes and thirty-four seconds remaining, Gao Ming chose not to call a timeout despite the team trailing by two points. The North American youth team still had one long and one short timeout left. Gao Ming dared not use them prematurely, saving them for the critical moments.

Just now, Robert Lee had been drawn outside the paint by Turgun’s drive. Seizing the opportunity, Cai Aihong cut into the interior. Turgun skillfully threaded the ball through Robert Lee’s legs, and Cai Aihong, upon receiving the pass, faced the North American youth team’s collapsing defense and scored with a fortunate yet courageous shot that gave his team the lead. It’s important to note that Cai Aihong risked serious injury with that move.

Suppressing his anxiety, Robert Lee had no time to show off; his sole focus was on the next play.

The North American youth team continued to attack the interior. Without hesitation, Robert Lee caught the ball and executed a smooth move.

Hawler was caught off guard, unprepared for Robert Lee’s decisiveness. His arm made contact with Robert Lee’s body.

Robert Lee’s shot barely rolled off the rim without going in, but Hawler had just committed his fourth personal foul.

Under pressure, Robert Lee sank both free throws, tying the game again. Two minutes and ten seconds remained.

The pressure shifted back to the Frontier youth team. Whoever relaxed first would leave with regret.

Wang Lei also refrained from calling a timeout, despite still having one short and two long timeouts available. He knew the team had to be ready for anything, especially since no one could predict whether the game would extend into overtime.

On offense, Turgun made a critical error. Using Hawler’s screen, he found space to shoot and intended to jump closely against Robert Lee, deliberately seeking a foul. Robert Lee already had three personal fouls, so drawing a foul now would be significant.

However, neither Turgun nor the Frontier team anticipated that Robert Lee, already airborne and facing a deliberate collision, would narrowly evade contact by twisting his waist with remarkable agility.

Robert’s body grazed Turgun as he fell to the ground, and Turgun, having sought a foul intentionally, lost his balance. The referee’s whistle did not blow as expected. Turgun’s shot bounced off the rim, and possession returned to the North American youth team.

Turgun’s mistake disrupted the entire rhythm of the game. The Frontier players were stunned by his risky move and Robert Lee’s uncanny evasion.

At that moment, the more experienced North American youth team reacted swiftly. Zhu Guoqing dashed to the frontcourt before the opponents could retreat, and a teammate who grabbed the rebound immediately passed the ball up.

With no defenders around, Zhu Guoqing scored, putting the Frontier youth team in serious trouble.

Wang Lei promptly called a long timeout with one minute and forty-six seconds remaining.

“Don’t be nervous, relax. In moments like this, you have to stay calm. Only with a peaceful mind can you perform at your best. Little rabbit, don’t worry—we still trust you. Keep shooting, let Wang Zhaohui handle the ball. Be ready to set screens with your teammates. When you get the ball, shoot immediately—no dribbling.”

At this critical juncture, Wang Lei himself had steadied his nerves. He calmly encouraged his players, the only one capable of stabilizing their emotions now.

After the timeout, the North American youth team set up their defense.

Wang Zhaohui inbounded the ball to Turgun along the sideline, then immediately moved to free him up.

This change by the Frontier youth team caught the North Americans off guard. Previously, Turgun handled the ball, but now he suddenly moved without it, causing their defense to scramble.

The Frontier team did not rush their offense. Instead, Wang Zhaohui controlled the clock.

With sixteen seconds left on the shot clock—thirty seconds per possession in youth games—Turgun began his movement. He ran along the three-point line toward the baseline, with teammates repeatedly setting screens to create space.

Wang Zhaohui also dribbled toward the weak side.

The off-ball screens were executed flawlessly. Ultimately, Turgun used a screen from Hawler near the baseline to curl to the opposite corner, where Wang Zhaohui found him with a pass. Without hesitation, Turgun released a three-pointer—the shot was perfect.

The Frontier youth team regained the lead by one point.

The North American youth team did not call a timeout and pressed forward. Upon reaching the frontcourt, Robert Lee once again posted up in the paint.

Hawler had lost count of how many times this “banana man,” roughly his height, had scored on him today. He admired Robert’s exquisite footwork.

Robert did not disappoint, nor did Gao Ming. After catching the ball and waiting for teammates to space out the defense, Robert displayed his dazzling array of post moves.

This time, there were no complicated footwork patterns—just a turn so quick Hawler couldn’t react in time, followed by a seamless, textbook center’s step.

Before Cai Aihong could even arrive to help defend, Robert had completed the move and scored. One couldn’t help but think that if Robert were twenty centimeters taller, he would be destined to become one of the super centers of the future world basketball scene.