Chapter 117: The Wolf and the Tiger (V)

Although Wang Lei possessed a unique ability, in truth, it offered little advantage when it came to real-time tactical command. While he could discern which players were in form and which were struggling, basketball is not won by form alone; everything is in constant flux. The opposition changes, as do one's own circumstances. Thus, it was inevitable that the tactics Wang Lei initially deployed in this match would fail to produce the desired effect. The crucial turning point was Wang Lei recognizing his error and making the necessary adjustments. Whether these changes would prove effective, however, depended on how the opposition responded and whether his players could adapt on the fly.

When play resumed after the timeout, the Xinjiang Youth Team surprisingly committed a turnover. Sun Dexun fumbled the ball while dribbling, allowing Zhao Yongji to steal it and lead the Guangdong Youth Team in a fast break, stretching the lead to fourteen points. Sun Dexun looked frustrated, though he kept his emotions largely in check.

Once tactics are set, they must be executed by the players. According to the prevailing culture in basketball, players are expected to follow the coach's instructions to the letter; the coach is the absolute core of the team. Wang Lei, however, was different. He designed tactics while secretly hoping his players would break their constraints. Such a coach is a rare breed. Logic would suggest that a team led this way would lack discipline, but the reality was quite the opposite. The Xinjiang Youth Team’s execution was, if anything, even sharper than that of the Guangdong Youth Team. Compared to their opponents, the Xinjiang players placed an unparalleled level of trust in Wang Lei. Even when they had their own ideas, they generally followed his instructions.

Wang Lei wanted his team to play like a wolf pack. Turgun and Cai Aihong were the alpha wolves, drawing defensive attention to create openings for others to deliver the final, lethal blow.

Sun Dexun brought the ball up the court, this time cutting down on his dribbling. Upon reaching the frontcourt, he passed directly to Cai Aihong in the high post, who then handed the ball off to Wang Zhaohui. At this stage, the Guangdong Youth Team was still playing man-to-man defense.

Hawul suddenly surged toward the baseline, setting a perfect screen for Turgun. As Turgun curled from one corner to the other, he caught the well-timed pass from Wang Zhaohui and, without hesitation, launched a three-pointer. The deficit was narrowed to eleven.

The Guangdong Youth Team stuck to their game plan, using Hong Kai as the interior pivot around whom the others rotated. This time, Zhao Yongji did not force a drive; his stamina was not infinite, and the Xinjiang Youth Team had shifted into a zone defense, making penetration difficult. After receiving the ball, Hong Kai attempted to show off his footwork to toy with Hawul once more, but Cai Aihong doubled him almost instantly. Hong Kai did not force the issue and passed to the perimeter, but the Xinjiang defense rotated with precision, leaving no gaps.

As the shot clock ticked down, the Guangdong players grew increasingly restless. With no clear opportunity, Hong Kai tried to force a play, but before he could even raise the ball, Turgun—who had stealthily circled around from behind—swiped it away.

Having secured the stop, the Xinjiang Youth Team accelerated, their three-pronged fast break surging toward the Guangdong half like a pack of wolves. The usually composed Guangdong team was stunned by the counterattack; they barely had time to get back before Sun Dexun finished a layup, narrowing the gap to single digits.

In two consecutive possessions, the Xinjiang Youth Team had showcased their true identity, while the previously unflappable Guangdong team began to show signs of panic. Li Baofeng, highly sensitive to the momentum shift, called a timeout as soon as the lead shrank to nine.

Yet, even after the timeout, the Guangdong offense remained stagnant. With their interior anchor, Hong Kai, effectively neutralized, the entire attack stalled. Zhao Yongji’s explosive power and speed were indeed elite, but he was no savior; his next drive was swatted away by a massive block from Hawul, who had rotated over in time to help.

As the first half drew to a close, the Xinjiang Youth Team continued to play to their strengths. Turgun’s off-ball movement had become a major threat, prompting the Guangdong players to start double-teaming him after another Li Baofeng timeout.

Then, the previously quiet Wang Zhaohui suddenly erupted. A drive to the basket, a corner three-pointer, and another authoritative block on Hong Kai in defense—Wang Zhaohui finally displayed the caliber of a team captain. His raw talent might not have been the highest on the team, but he was the smartest player on the court.

The block on Hong Kai perfectly captured his intelligence. He had been tracking the opposing small forward, who pulled away to the weak side to create space. Instead of following, Wang Zhaohui abandoned his man and quietly drifted toward Hong Kai. Just as Hong Kai used his footwork to shake off Hawul and turned for a shot, Wang Zhaohui emerged from his blind spot and swatted the ball—and the player—cleanly away.

The referee did not call a foul; the play was textbook clean. Hong Kai’s tumble was simply the result of losing his center of gravity upon contact. The National Games referees were foreign imports, immune to home-court bias or star calls, and given it was a youth tournament, the officiating was firm and consistent.

With consecutive missed shots and defensive lapses, Li Baofeng screamed from the sidelines, but to little effect. The rhythm of the game was entirely under the control of the Xinjiang Youth Team.

Resisting the urge to burn another timeout, the Guangdong Youth Team headed into the halftime break clinging to a mere four-point lead. As the whistle blew, Wang Lei high-fived his players as they returned to the locker room. The atmosphere within the team was vibrant again; even Sun Dexun, who had struggled earlier, wore a smile. He had done a commendable job containing Zhao Yongji in the latter half of the second quarter. Both were speed-oriented players, and while Zhao had the superior physical attributes, he had played with too much impatience. The smooth sailing of the first and second quarters had, to some extent, bred complacency among the Guangdong players.