Before Nanjing No. 9 Middle School could fully retreat its defense, Hexi Meng had no intention of changing his offensive tactics!
This time, Nanjing No. 9 Middle School still tightened their defense on the inside flanks, preparing to double-team Hexi Meng under the basket. Hexi Meng could have opted for a mid-range pull-up jumper, but he didn't. Instead, he continued to pass… feigning a pass to Zhang Zhenpeng on the wing, but it was actually a hidden low hand pass to Yan Hui, who was cutting down the middle. Yan Hui caught the ball and leaped ahead of Tang Zhengdong, scoring two points with a layup!
Zhang Zhenpeng had already set up his stance to receive the pass and shoot, only to be left hanging.
However, with the ball in Hexi Meng's hands, Zhang Zhenpeng dared not confront him, fearing that Hexi Meng might retaliate for perceived slights and bench him out of jealousy for his talent…
The two Eastern Conference powerhouses began their offensive duel.
On Nanjing No. 9 Middle School's side, Hu Weidong didn't hold back his strength, going all out from the start, aiming to quickly establish a lead for his team.
On Zhuji Middle School's side, Hexi Meng deliberately suppressed his pace, wanting to facilitate his teammates' performance first. Zhang Zhenpeng was in hot form in the opening stages, successfully drawing the opponent's defensive attention.
Meanwhile, Yan Hui was diligently scoring under the basket, fueled by Hexi Meng's playmaking and Zhang Zhenpeng's screens.
Overall, both teams displayed commendable competitive form and believed the game was under their control. However, the score remained tight, with both teams trading blows.
As the first quarter neared its end, both sides began to substitute their starting lineups.
Nanjing No. 9 Middle School subbed out Hu Weidong, Tang Zhengdong, and Yi Li for a rest, with Hu Xuefeng and Zhang Cheng remaining on the court to lead the team.
Zhuji Middle School substituted out Yan Hui, Feng Chen, Zhang Zhenpeng, and Wang Xian for a break. Hexi Meng remained on the court, playing with the newly substituted Qin Rui, Zhu Ningzhen, Huangfu Yanlin, and Tang Chenfeng.
Neither team exerted extra effort at the end of the first quarter, and the period concluded in a tie.
At the start of the second quarter, Hexi Meng went to the bench for a rest, with Chen Feng coming in to manage the game.
Nanjing No. 9 Middle School subbed out Hu Xuefeng and Zhang Cheng, bringing in Yi Li to lead the team.
When Hu Weidong was on the court, Yi Li diligently defended the team's flanks and didn't make much of an offensive impact. However, after Hu Weidong left the game, Yi Li started to shine. With his agile moves and excellent jumping ability under the basket, he scored repeatedly. Zhu Ningzhen really struggled to keep up with Yi Li's pace.
Nanjing No. 9 Middle School hadn't gained a significant advantage in the battle of the starting lineups, but in the rotation lineup contest, they surprisingly took the lead thanks to Yi Li's brief explosion.
Hexi Meng quickly sent Zhang Zhenpeng onto the court to counter Yi Li!
Upon entering the game, Zhang Zhenpeng received an alley-oop pass from Chen Feng and scored with a post-up move against Yi Li in the paint.
Immediately after, Zhang Zhenpeng disrupted Yi Li's attempt at an alley-oop dunk under the basket.
With one offensive play and one defensive play, Zhang Zhenpeng successfully stopped Yi Li's momentum.
Compared to Yi Li, Zhang Zhenpeng was slightly shorter, but his strength was indeed superior to Yi Li's.
Therefore, in the post-up battles, Zhang Zhenpeng had an advantage over Yi Li.
Of course, Yi Li's talents extended beyond the paint. After being blocked under the basket, Yi Li decisively retreated from the paint and hit a three-pointer from beyond the arc!
Being able to play both power forward and small forward, capable of scoring both inside and out, was the true essence of Yi Li!
Zhang Zhenpeng had initially thought that playing against Nanjing No. 9 Middle School would be the same as playing against Weifang No. 1 Middle School, where focusing solely on the team's core player, Hu Weidong, would be enough. Now, he realized he had underestimated the situation.
Hu Weidong hadn't been completely shut down, and then Yi Li emerged, matching him point for point…
About halfway through the second quarter, when Zhang Zhenpeng was substituted out by Hexi Meng for a brief rest, he earnestly said, "Captain, their offense is too strong. You can't hold back anymore…"
In fact, even without Zhang Zhenpeng's urging, Hexi Meng was preparing to unleash his full potential and go all out!
This was because Hu Weidong, who had entered the game a possession earlier than Hexi Meng, had just hit another outside three-pointer!
With Yi Li and Hu Weidong teaming up against Zhang Zhenpeng, he was indeed struggling to keep up…
After Hexi Meng and Yan Hui entered the game, they executed a classic high pick-and-roll. As Hu Xuefeng rushed to get around Yan Hui and chase back, Hexi Meng stopped abruptly, dribbled behind his back, and used a step-back move to create space outside the three-point line before calmly shooting. It was a fluid motion!
It had to be admitted that the step-back three-pointer popularized by "Brother Deng" was truly effective!
No direct confrontation, no strain on the knees; as long as the footwork was clear and no traveling violation was called, it was very easy to get open looks from beyond the arc!
With a swift motion, Hexi Meng answered Nanjing No. 9 Middle School with a three-pointer!
"Here he comes! Meng is about to unleash his fury!"
From the Zhuji Middle School bench, Zhang Tian'ai, who had been quiet for a quarter and a half, finally had the chance to cheer loudly for Hexi Meng…
"Keep your voice down! It was just a three-pointer that was barely passable as slightly beautiful…" Zhang Zhenpeng, who had just been substituted out for a rest, sat beside Zhang Tian'ai and chided his sister with a hint of disdain. "Why aren't you cheering so loudly when I hit a three-pointer?"
"What do you mean, 'slightly beautiful'? It was incredibly beautiful! Like a scholar in a feathered fan, with a wave of the hand, the enemy ships were turned to ash…"
"Huh? What feathered fan? What ash? No smoking on the court…"
Zhang Tian'ai rolled her eyes at her brother. "What have you been doing in your Chinese class this semester? Sleeping?"
"Impossible! Who would sleep in Chinese class…" Zhang Zhenpeng suddenly felt guilty, as if his secret was exposed. "I usually sleep in elective classes, like art or geography…"
"Geography isn't an elective! Music is! Hmm? Why don't you sleep in music class?"
"Uh… well… I prefer pop music…"
"Impossible! You must have a hidden motive! Tell me, what is it?" Zhang Tian'ai's intuition was sharp, and she pressed Zhang Zhenpeng relentlessly.
With no other option, Zhang Zhenpeng resorted to his trump card: "Look! Hexi Meng is scoring again!"
As expected, as soon as Zhang Zhenpeng diverted Zhang Tian'ai's attention to Hexi Meng, everything was fine.
On the court, Nanjing No. 9 Middle School was attempting an inside cut play. However, the passing lane was too tight, and Hexi Meng intercepted the pass!
Hexi Meng accelerated straight up the middle, leaving Hu Weidong and Hu Xuefeng in his dust.
Dashing into the paint, Hexi Meng leaped high. He had intended to score with a simple layup for two points. However, Old Hu was defending with great intensity and flew from behind Hexi Meng, attempting to block the shot…