The news that Shohoku High School defeated Miuradai with a score of 121:57 and advanced to the semi-finals of the prefectural competition quickly spread around the Shohoku campus.
Moreover, the local sports media in Kanagawa Prefecture paid a lot of attention to Shohoku High School. The day after the victory in the game, the newspaper reported the matter on the front page. However, this front page headline was not exclusive to Shohoku High School. .
Lingnan High School, which also advanced to the semi-finals with ease, also occupied part of the page.
But there is one thing that Shohoku has an advantage over, and that is the photo on the front page of the newspaper, which is a photo of Sakuragi Hanamichi dunking in the game at that time.
Early in the morning, when Sakuragi Hanamichi came to school, he heard about his appearance in the newspaper. He "borrowed" a sum of money directly from Yohei and others, went to buy a lot of newspapers outside the school, and started pawnbroking in the school. Free "newsboys" publicize their "glorious deeds."
"This kid Sakuragi actually got published in the newspaper..."
When Jinguji Budo came to school early in the morning, he was also stuffed a newspaper by the "newspaper boy" Sakuragi Hanamichi. When I returned to the classroom, I actually saw the report about Sakuragi Hanamichi.
"Shocked, Shohoku rookie, Red Devil Sakuragi Hanamichi!"
Looking at the exaggerated title with different fonts on the photo, Wu Dao couldn't help but laugh out loud. After briefly browsing it, I put it in the seat drawer.
Kanagawa Prefecture's prefecture selection competition system is different from the national competition. Compared with the back-to-back death competition system of the national competition, the selection competition in the prefecture competition is much more humane.
After entering the semi-finals, Xiangbei High School officially ushered in the semi-final round-robin three days later.
The four teams that entered the round robin this year are Lingnan High School, Hainan University Affiliated High School, Shohoku High School and the local strong school in Kanagawa Prefecture, Shoyo High School.
The first game of Xiangbei High School in the semi-final round robin was against Xiangyang High School.
When they were in their first year of martial arts high school, Shoyang's sophomores Kenji Fujima and Toru Hanagata had a conflict with their team coach and both left Shoyang High School. After the two of them left Xiangyang High School and entered Lingnan, they helped Lingnan High School win the national championship.
The senior management of Xiangyang High School naturally noticed the two sophomores who had left Xiangyang High School and performed brilliantly in the national competition. He was immediately furious and held the then Xiangyang head coach accountable, forcing him to resign.
Until the start of the county competition this year, Xiangyang High School was unable to find a suitable coach for the team. The position of Xiangyang head coach has always been replaced by a manager who does not understand football.
Although there is no coach, Xiangyang High School is an established and powerful school after all, and the number of students every year is pretty good. Even without his coach, Xiangyang still maintains a considerable level of combat effectiveness.
Relying on its solid foundation, Xiangyang still broke into the semi-finals of the county competition this year.
Such strength has also made many fans sigh. It is really surprising that Xiangyang still performs like this without a coach.
But... Xiangyang's good luck came to an end today.
...
"I really didn't expect it! Even without the coach, Xiangyang High School still reached the semi-finals this year."
"Who says it's not the case? But Fujima and Hanagata made a really wise choice. They went to Lingnan and won the national championship."
"Looking at Xiangyang today, it's already a blessing to be able to reach the semi-finals."
In the Kanagawa Prefectural Arena, the semi-final round robin between Shohoku High School and Shoyo High School is about to begin. The players of the two teams are still making final preparations on the sidelines. The spectators watching the game looked at the current Xiangyang High School and whispered.
Most of the spectators who came to watch the game today have some knowledge of local high school basketball. Although they are both in the top four, Xiangyang High School and Shohoku High School are now completely different schools. Not to mention that Shohoku High School has the nation's top scorers like Jinguji Martial Arts. Even without Jinguji Martial Arts, the strength of Shohoku High School today is far beyond what Xiangyang can compare with.
In the rest area of Shohoku High School, Sakuragi Hanamichi, Rukawa Kaede and others gathered in front of Coach Anzai, listening to Coach Anzai make the final arrangements before going on the field.
Yes, facing Shoyang High School, Shohoku High School still plans to use the first-year group of freshmen, but the lineup has changed slightly. Oda Ryumasa was replaced by Katsumi Ichiro.
"The opponent in today's match is different from the Miuradai you met in the last match."
"Although Xiangyang does not have a coach now, their strength cannot be underestimated."
"Of course, don't be too nervous. Just play as you did in training. For pizza today, use the triangle offense."
"Nanxiang, Katsumi, and Rukawa, you three must cooperate well."
Coach Anxi glanced at the timer on the sidelines and made final arrangements for the players. At this time in the original time and space, Coach Anzai probably had a heart attack and was admitted to the hospital. He missed the game between Shohoku High School and Lingnan. In today's world, that doesn't happen.
Under the reminder and attention of Martial Arts, Coach Anxi was diagnosed with a heart problem a year ago. Through diet control and drug treatment, the condition has been alleviated. There was no heart attack during coaching.
"Yes, coach!" Rukawa Kaede and others listened to Coach Anzai's arrangement and nodded in agreement. However, when they arrived at Sakuragi Hanamichi, something went wrong again.
"Dad...do you want to play the triangle offense?!"
"No, I think my offensive ability is also very strong! Or should I focus on holding the ball?"
Hearing that the triangle offense was going to be played in today's game, Sakuragi immediately had an opinion. In Shohoku's first-grade triangle offensive system, Sakuragi is a weak triangle and a marginal player. Sakuragi, who had just shined in the match against Miuradai, was no longer willing to be a green leaf. He felt that he could take on the role of Rukawa Kaede.
"Hey! Red-haired monkey, what are you talking about?"
"You are the only one who can also play and hold the ball?!"
Nango Koichiro immediately quit after hearing this. He is the inside core of the first-year triangle offense. Sakuragi wants to play with the ball? Isn't this just stealing the ball from him? !
"Ryoden Monkey, shut up!" Sakuragi turned around and glared at Nanxiang without giving an inch.
Seeing that the two were about to quarrel, coach Anzai turned his head silently and glanced at Takenori Akagi who was sitting on the bench. The latter had a spiritual meeting, stood up silently, and came behind Sakuragi Hanamichi and Nanxiang without making a sound, punching each of them on the top of their heads, which immediately silenced them.
"Haha...two idiots!"
Seeing Sakuragi and Nango being taught a lesson, Kiyota Nobunaga suddenly laughed with gloating.
Seeing that Sakuragi and Nanxiang became quiet, Coach Anxi paused and continued:
"Sakuragi, in the second half, you can try to do Nanxiang's job."
"Remember, the second half."
Coach Anzai has a very accurate grasp of Sakuragi Hanamichi's character. He knows that if Sakuragi doesn't see hope, this kid may cause trouble. After giving Akagi a big stick, he fed him a sweet date.
While training Sakuragi, coach Anzai also hopes to give Nanxiang a sense of urgency so that Sakuragi and Nanxiang can form a good competition.
“ohhhh!
!
"
"Dad, you agreed! You are really wise!"
"Hahahahaha!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi immediately became active after hearing what Coach Anzai said, and Nanxiang curled his lips in disdain. Unlike Sakuragi, he also has a noisy personality, but he is still quite polite in front of Coach Anzai. , will not openly refute what Coach Anxi means.
"Hey... do you think the inside pillar of the triangle offense is so easy to beat?"
"Coach Anxi will know how good I am after watching your performance."
Nanxiang thought to himself as he walked onto the court with his teammates.
Not long after everyone in Xiangbei entered the stadium, Xiangyang's starters also appeared on the stage.
"Oh... people in Xiangyang are very tall..."
Nango Koichiro and his teammates walked to the center circle and took their respective positions. After seeing Xiangyang's team members on the stage, Nango Koichiro also sighed in surprise.
Several of Xiangyang's starters are all very tall. Hasegawa, Nagano Mitsuru and others are all over 190cm tall. The shortest point guard in the team is visually estimated to be 180cm tall, which is obviously much taller than the Miuradai they met yesterday. At the same time, the Xiangbei group also suffered a slight loss in average height in front of the Xiangyang players.
Now the captain of Xiangyang is Hasegawa, who wears the No. 4 jersey. This third-year student from Xiangyang, who is not well-known, firmly holds the position of captain of Xiangyang.
When Jinguji Budo saw that it was Hasegawa wearing the best jersey, he couldn't help but sigh to himself: "There are no tigers in the mountains."
Looking at Xiangyang's team members, Wu Dao couldn't help but let out another sigh: "Today's Xiangyang can't even beat our Xiangbei substitute."
"It looks like we won't have a chance to play in today's game."
...
In the stadium, everyone in Xiangbei and Xiangyang, who were positioned in the middle circle, looked at each other.
After the players from both teams were in position, the referee walked onto the court with the ball. After a whistle, he threw the ball directly into the air to declare the start of the game.
"Snapped!
"
There was a soft sound in the center of the court. Nango Koichiro defeated Shoichi Takano of Shoyo and got the jump ball first. The basketball was held by Nobunaga Kiyota in the backcourt.
"Well done, Dyeing Monkey!"
Kiyota Nobunaga gave a rare compliment to Nango Koichiro, then raised a finger and confidently shouted to the team members:
"Come! Attack!"
"Get the ball firmly!"
Although the words in Kiyota Nobunaga's mouth are relatively calm, the movements of his steps and hands are not as calm as his mouth.
After getting the jump ball and greeting the players, Nobunaga Kiyota quickly rushed towards the frontcourt with the ball. He looked like he was planning to play a fast break.
"Return to defense! Return to defense quickly!"
Hasegawa called out to his teammates and reached out to interfere when Kiyota Nobunaga rushed forward. However, his interference was easily avoided by Qingtian's bad luck, and Qingtian also successfully approached the three-point line.
"Hehehe, Xiangyang High School."
"The speed is just average."
It only took Kiyota Nobunaga a few seconds from receiving the ball in the backcourt to leading him into the frontcourt. When he approached the three-point line, Xiangyang's players had just completed their position. The speed of returning to defense can only be regarded as so-so. This may have something to do with the height of the Xiangyang players.
But not all elders have terrifying speed like Jinguji Martial Arts and Sakuragi.
Aware of this, Nobunaga Kiyota didn't hesitate at all and took a long three-pointer from an open position.
After entering Shohoku High School, Kiyota Nobunaga was trained by coach Anzai to be a defender. In addition to requiring Kiyota to have excellent dribbling skills, coach Anzai also trained Kiyota's shooting.
Although Kiyota Nobunaga's three-pointer is immature, it is not at all immature. In this situation, Kiyota dares to take it.
"Dang~~"
The basketball flew over the players and fell towards the basket. However, Qingtian's strength seemed to be too small, and the basketball hit the front of the basket, making a crisp sound.
“Ahhh!
"
"Idiot wild monkey, what the hell is shooting?!"
At the moment when Kiyota took the shot, Sakuragi Hanamichi and Nango had just entered the inside and did not occupy a favorable terrain at all. Kiyota shot directly.
With the emergence of rebounds, the two men were quickly blocked by Xiangyang's inside line and lost their best position to grab rebounds.
If facing an ordinary team, Sakuragi Hanamichi and Nango can still grab rebounds with their height and jumping even if they have no position. After all, the center of an average high school team is only about 185cm tall.
However, Xiangyang's insiders are all over 190cm tall. It is no problem to control the backcourt rebounds while occupying a favorable location.
"Snapped!"
Takano Shoichi caught Nango's position, jumped up and grabbed the ball in his hands. After landing, he hugged the ball directly in his arms. After Sakuragi and Nango realized that they had no chance to retreat, they Give the ball to your team's point guard.
The ball was easily transferred and Xiangyang launched a counterattack.
"Is this kid Qingtian drifting off?!"
Hisashi Mitsui frowned when he saw Nobunaga Kiyota handling the jump ball in this way.
"Don't worry, it's normal for his character to behave like this."
"Young people, when they are beaten, they will naturally stop being contemptuous."
"Although Xiangyang doesn't have a coach, it can reach the semi-finals and its strength is not weak."
"Those players are very tall and their steps are not too slow. Even if there are no star players to lead the offense, the defensive end is definitely enough for these first-year players."
"Just watch, if this kid Qingtian is so promiscuous, he will soon suffer."
Jinguji Budo looked at the two teams on the field that were switching between offense and defense, his eyes fell on Kiyota Nobunaga, and he said with a smile. In fact, it is not only Kiyota Nobunaga who has the mentality of looking down on his opponents, Sakuragi Hanamichi, Nango and others also have it. The previous big victory against Miuradai made these first-year students feel dizzy, thinking that high school basketball was nothing more than that.
As soon as Martial Arts finished speaking, Xiangyang had already entered the frontcourt. Although there is no coach, Xiangyang still has basic cooperation. With the help of Takano Shoichi's high pick-and-roll, Yin Tengzhu easily passed Kiyota's defense. After the breakthrough, he attracted Sakuragi's cover and released the ball to the mid-range open space. Mitsuru Nagano.
As for Nango, Takano Shoichi who followed the pick-and-roll at this time attracted attention, but did not pay attention to Sakuragi who missed Mitsuru Nagano. The latter took the ball and shot directly from the mid-range open space, and the basketball hit the board directly into the net.
"Whoa!" With a soft sound, Xiangyang High School took the lead in the match between Xiangbei and Xiangyang.
"These guys are both talented and stupid..."
"You have to wake up quickly..."
Seeing Xiangyang score easily, Budo couldn't help but murmured.
Xiangyang High School is really not weak. The main reason why Shohoku was able to win in the original time and space was just because Fujima underestimated Shohoku's storyline. In the last few minutes, Fujima, the super emperor who was out of position to attack Miyagi, Cards, actually didn't score a single point, let alone a whole half of the game in front of them.
The long-player system led by Hanagata once defeated Shohoku. After Fujima came up, the offensive end was not strengthened. This can be seen from the final score of 60+ between the two teams.
Although today's Xiangyang does not have Hanagata and Fujima, the other team members are still very tall, and their playing style has continued.
What's more, the Shohoku team on the field at this time does not have Takenori Akagi and Ryota Miyagi. Nango's dominance at the basket is not as good as Akagi's, and Kiyota is not necessarily better than Miyagi in small and large situations. Rukawa Kaede's offensive firepower may not be able to explode perfectly. This can be seen from the score in the original work.
From the martial arts point of view, the strength of these first-year students in Xiangbei is only one level higher than that of Xiangyang. If they don't fight seriously, these boys may overturn.
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