In which the reader is introduced to Nate Torres - our hero. Trying to deal with the pressures of life in the big city while improving his jump shot. Amidst the gangs, the girls, and school work, Nate devotes himself to the grueling world of street basketball.

Nate
Nate is a perennial benchwarmer. Lacking in both cool and talent, he is the most unlikely basketball player you'll ever find. But one thing he's not is a quitter and slowly Nate teaches himself the ins and outs of basketball - with a little help from his friends. In the process, he slowly builds up his confidence and begins to realize his dream of success on the high school b-ball court.

Mizzy
Nate might throw like a girl, but Mizzy is just the girl to teach him to play like a man. This hoops queen helps Nate succeed, teaching him the down and dirty side to street ball. No rules, no fouls, and no crying ... she teaches him how to win.

Oz
He and Nate are the only two players in the history of street hoops to ever score on the powerhouse team, 3-Slam. When they get together with Mizzy, Team Scratch is born. Oz is a hoodlum from the streets. He hangs with a rough crowd, and he brings the same attitude and bruising brawn to the courts. Nate, his own teammate, is even scared of him.

Yuriko Nishiyama is a female manga artist who lives and works in Japan and who likes to write mostly for a male audience. After her debut in 1990, she went on to create many popular new manga stories, including "Ellie's Mysterious Time Travel," and "No Huddle". She continues creating new "Harlem Beat" stories that are enjoyed by a growing number of fans in Japan and around the world.