Chapter Four: The Center Without a Basket

On the opening day of the City Challenge League, the Northport Embers had only three players on their bench. The Cape Power Towers had twelve. Last season's top regular-season team stood seven centimeters taller on average. Their center rattled the rim throughout warmups while Han Zheng remained beyond the arc without once looking at the basket. “Northport won its qualifier by luck,” the commentator said. “Today, their injured center will be torn apart by a real frontcourt.” Lu Chenzhou turned over his board. There was no painted lane on it, only five circles spread around the three-point line. “They think a center belongs beneath the rim,” he told Han. “Make them spend tonight searching for you.”