There are 23 seconds left before the end of the first half.
Xiangbei High School and Lingnan High School tied at 55:55.
"You really can't relax for a moment."
"These guys in Lingnan... are disgusting!"
Mitsui Hisashi ran towards the backcourt quickly while looking at Shinomiya Tano who had already started to return to the court with his peripheral vision, feeling heavy in his heart.
"Squeeze the time and attack!"
Off the court, the substitute players from Shohoku High School shouted loudly and gave advice to the players on the court. Mitsui Hisashi and the others obviously knew this. In order to protect the ball, Rukawa Kaede and Mitsui Hisashi both came to the backcourt. After Mitsui Hisashi served, Rukawa Kaede drove the ball towards the frontcourt.
Although Katsumi Ichiro did not receive the ball after returning to the court, he did not immediately go to the Lingnan half. Instead, he protected Rukawa Kaede, and the three of them slowly advanced toward the frontcourt.
"Don't rush forward in a hurry!"
"Defend in position, move the defense to the three-point line, and don't let Xiangbei shoot a three-pointer!"
"Play slowly and steadily! The pressure in Xiangbei is greater than yours!"
As the players from Shohoku High School dribbled the ball into the frontcourt, all the Lingnan players were ready to move forward, trying to press forward and put pressure on Shohoku. But at this time, coach Tian Gang was already standing on the sidelines, and the high school student shouted towards the court.
Coach Tian Gang's words also stopped the Lingnan players who were about to move. Under the watchful eyes of Coach Tian Gang, the Lingnan players stabilized and separated themselves in the half court. The defense line spread from the inside to the three-point line.
After Mitsui Hisashi and others entered the frontcourt, Shinomiya Takashi and Sendao focused on Mitsui Hisashi and Rukawa Kaede.
Rukawa Kaede did not choose to pass the ball after entering the frontcourt. After a quick glance at the time, he calmed down and alternately dribbled the ball in front of his body while slowly approaching the three-point line.
Xiandao watched Rukawa Kaede approaching slowly, and did not move forward. He stood half a step inside the three-point line, waiting for Rukawa Kaede to approach.
"Shohoku High School is a team that relies on mid-range and three-point shooting, and the threat inside is average."
"After Jinguji Budo comes off the field, the only two people who have the ability to attack with the ball are Mitsui Hisashi and Rukawa Kaede."
"Now it seems that the main attacker should be this kid in front of me."
"This kid's style of play is very similar to what I used to do. If it were me, this shot would be a breakthrough!"
Sendao stared at Rukawa Kaede, spread his arms, lowered his focus, and was ready for a breakthrough.
10 seconds...8 seconds...
When there were 6 seconds left on the clock, Xiandao Tong shrank, and finally no longer waited. He took a step forward and leaned against Rukawa Kaede. Just when he thought Rukawa Kaede would start a breakthrough, he held the ball. Rukawa Kaede, who had been waiting for a long time, suddenly stood up and passed the ball towards the inside.
"Um?!"
"Passed the ball?!"
"How can it be!"
Rukawa Kaede's choice was beyond everyone's expectations. Rukawa Kaede's strong attack had just been engraved in everyone's mind. At this time, Rukawa Kaede actually chose to pass the ball for such a key ball? !
"Huh?!" Not to mention the Lingnan players and spectators who were surprised, even Takenori Akagi, who had just received the basketball inside, was in a daze for a moment.
Sendao looked back and saw Akagi getting the basketball. A look of surprise flashed across his face. Just as he was about to turn his head to look at Rukawa Kaede, he noticed a red figure quickly passing by him.
"Xian Dao! That kid is coming in!"
When Uozumi on the inside saw Rukawa Kaede cutting without the ball, he immediately shouted loudly, and at the same time, his body resisted Takenori Akagi. At this time, Akagi had already reacted. After blasting the ball, he turned around and raised the ball high to deceive Uozumi's center of gravity. He took a step forward and leaned heavily on Uozumi's body. He was actually preparing to forcefully hit Yuzumi. live.
Uozumi, who had been deceived into having a higher center of gravity, could not withstand Akagi's strong blow, so he took a step back and vacated his position.
When he got a gap, Takenori Akagi jumped up and wanted to go for a layup. At this moment, Toru Hanagata from the side suddenly came to Takenori Akagi's side and knocked the basketball out of Akagi's hand with a slap.
"What?!"
Being blocked, Akagi was also shocked and quickly turned his head to look.
However, Shohoku was lucky. The basketball blocked by Hanagata happened to be caught by Rukawa Kaede who came over.
Starting with the basketball, Rukawa Kaede quickly dropped the ball and approached the basket in the blink of an eye. At the same time, Rukawa Kaede raised his eyes and looked towards the basket.
Immortal pursuing behind him, Uozumi and Hanagata not far away, all three of them looked at Rukawa Kaede at this moment, and quickly surrounded Rukawa Kaede.
The moment the encirclement was about to be completed, Rukawa Kaede suddenly hit the ball to the ground and passed it out.
"Um?!"
I thought that Rukawa Kaede would take action by himself in this position, but unexpectedly, Rukawa Kaede still chose to pass the ball, and the target of the pass happened to be Takenori Akagi who was in the open position at this time.
Without any hesitation, Takenori Akagi jumped up after blasting the ball, dunked with both hands, and poured the ball into the net.
The moment the basketball hits the net, stop the clock.
There was one second left on the clock, and the score between the two teams reached 55:57, with Shohoku High School leading by two points.
At the last second, Lingnan made a try. After serving to Shinomiya, Shinomiya threw the ball directly to the front court. However, after the whistle fell, the basketball also hit the backboard. Can bounce into the basket.
The score settled in the first half.
Before leaving the field, Lingnan's players all focused their attention on Rukawa Kaede.
The first-year kid impressed them late in the first half.
"Well done! Rukawa Kaede."
"I really didn't expect that you actually passed those two balls. It really doesn't look like you! But you played really well."
"Your teammates have been deceived by you, let alone your opponents."
“You played well, let’s keep up the good work in the second half!”
Rukawa Kaede walked back to the rest area and received unanimous praise from the Shohoku players. Whether it was Akagi or Mitsui Hisashi, they all praised Rukawa Kaede. Coach Anzai also smiled, very satisfied with Rukawa Kaede's performance.
However, at this moment, the expressions of Sakuragi Hanamichi, Kiyota Nobunaga, and Nango Koichiro were a little subtle.
"Hey! It's just shitty luck!" Sakuragi curled his lips, a little jealous in his disdain.
"Damn it! If I play, I will definitely be no worse than him!" Kiyota Nobunaga was jealous with a little envy.
"Asshole, coach, why didn't the coach send me to play, let the red-haired guy play! That guy only got a few rebounds and blocked a few shots! It was really a waste of opportunity to play."
As for Nango Koichiro, it is pure jealousy. He is not only jealous of Rukawa Kaede who performed amazingly, but also jealous of the active Sakuragi Hanamichi.
"Akagi-senpai, how is your foot injury?! Do you want to take a rest in the second half?!"
After his eyes stayed on Rukawa Kaede for a while, Nango Koichiro ran to Akagi's side attentively and asked for help.
Akagi thought that this junior really cared about him, so he smiled and shook his head and said: "No, I don't have much offensive pressure, and on the Lingnan side, Uozumi doesn't attack much with the ball, so my load is actually not that big." big."
"It's no problem to fight for another twenty minutes!"
Takenori Akagi had a smile on his face, but when he heard this, Nanxiang's face fell. He didn't come to ask Akagi just because he wanted to hear this!
"Well, the students performed very well in the first half."
"Keep up this momentum!"
"We don't have much of a lead, so don't take it lightly."
Coach Anxi stood up, and after giving a word of encouragement, he led the players through the player tunnel and towards the waiting area.
The intermission lasts for nearly twenty minutes. During this time, the players can take a good rest and restore their strength.
...
"asshole!"
"What do you do for food?! When Jinguji Martial Arts was present, the situation was still in our favor. Why, it was him who ended up and let the first grader from Shohoku penetrate him?!"
"Is that first grade more difficult to deal with than Jinguji Martial Arts?!"
"ah?"
"Xian Dao, you! Speak!"
In the lounge of Lingnan High School, Coach Tian Gang was furious.
At the end of the first half, the defensive performance of the Lingnan players really disappointed him. At this time, his anger was only directed at Xiandao, who was responsible for defending Rukawa Kaede. He stared at Xiandao with slightly stunned eyes.
"Well~ Actually, the level of that first-year student is pretty good."
"Although he is not as sharp as Jinguji Martial Arts, his strength is far beyond that of ordinary first-year students."
"Besides, his luck is pretty good, picking up..."
Xiandao was standing in front of Yan Yi at this time, reaching out and taking out a slice of lemon from the food box in Yan Yi's hand. He said with a blank look on his face, but before he could finish speaking, Coach Taoka interrupted with a roar.
"Immortal! Tao!"
Coach Tianoka's roar frightened Xiandao, biting the lemon and covering his ears with a bitter look on his face. Shinomiya Tano shook his head helplessly when he saw the master and apprentice, sat down on the bench and smoothed things over:
"Um, coach, don't be angry yet."
"Rukawa Kaede's few goals did have some luck involved."
"However, Xiandao, others can say this, but you can't."
"It was you who allowed Rukawa Kaede to successfully seize that luck."
"Were you distracted when you were on defense?"
Shinomiya knows Sendō very well and knows that with Sendō's ability, if he concentrates all his attention, Rukawa Kaede will not be able to pick up the rebound. In the final analysis, Sendō is distracted.
After hearing Shinomiya Tōno say this, Xiandao became more serious indeed, nodded, and admitted generously:
"I thought he was the same as when I was in first grade, but I was wrong."
"He's very mature, not as mature as a first-year player."
Speaking of this, a smile appeared on Xiandao's face again: "He is a very good first grader, barely enough to be my opponent."
Xiandao's smile is calm and confident.
Seeing Xiandao like this, Coach Tian Gang's anger was completely gone, but he still maintained a serious look on his face and snorted coldly:
"Then I'll leave him to you!"
After Coach Tianoka finished speaking, he said to everyone:
"The first half is a foregone conclusion, so I won't say any more unnecessary nonsense."
"Everyone should have a good rest and prepare for the second half of the game."
"Tano, if Jinguji Budo doesn't appear in the second half of the game, you should rest a little longer."
"Soldier against soldier, against general. Coach Anxi wants Mitsui Hisashi to consume your physical energy and let Jinguji Martial Arts execute you head-on. I won't let this happen!"
"Ikegami! You are the defensive expert of our Lingnan High School. In the second half, the first grader of Shohoku, Rukawa Kaede, will be left to you!"
"As for Immortal...you have to guard against Mitsui Shou."
"If Jinguji Martial Arts comes back, let's make plans again!"
Upon hearing this, Xiandao waved his hands indifferently. Shinomiya Tano heard the arrangement of coach Tian Gang and frowned slightly. He didn't say much, but came to Xiandao's side and told:
"That Mitsui Hisashi is not easy. He shoots the ball very quickly. Try to stay as close as possible, and pay attention to Shohoku's pick-and-roll."
"If there is a slight gap, the opponent will shoot. Compared with his breakthrough, shooting is a greater threat."
Shinomiya and Sendō exchanged their thoughts on guarding Hisashi Mitsui. Coach Taoka glanced at the two of them, ignored them, and continued towards Uozumi and Hanagata:
"If the field doesn't play early in the second half, you two insiders will have to bear the corresponding responsibility for me."
"The offense depends not only on Sendō and Fujima, but especially on you, Hanagata. Your shooting is definitely a huge threat to Shohoku."
"That Sakuragi Hanamichi is very good at jumping. Try to pull him out of the paint and shoot him. Even if you don't score, without his help, Uozumi will never lose to Akagi in the rebounding competition!"
"do you understand?"
After hearing what Coach Taoka said, Hanagata and Uozumi both nodded heavily and agreed.
After making adjustments, Coach Tianoka said a few more words of encouragement, and then stopped disturbing the players and allowed them to have a good rest.
Unlike Coach Taoka's extra intervention, the lounge in Xiangbei seemed much quieter at this time.
The players were sitting in various corners of the rest area, waiting for the game to start.
Coach Anxi did not arrange any tactics for the players. He just praised a few words and signaled Budo to come on the field after 5 minutes in the second half.
At the same time, Miyagi Ryota was not sent to play again. The lineup in the first half of the second half was the same as the lineup at the end of the first half. As for Jinguji Budo, he will replace Katsumi Ichiro in the second half.
Although Coach Anzai did not lay out any tactics, Budo understood what he meant and planned to have Kaede Rukawa and Hisashi Mitsui assist Zuo Budo in attacking at the same time.
Miyagi Ryota didn't get a chance to play. At this time, he was sitting by the window dully, looking at the scenery outside the window. He didn't know what he was thinking. He looked melancholy. Even if Aiko called him, he didn't pay attention to Aiko.
"Brother...I...want to give up."
"If you were here, would you support me?!"
People tend to have random thoughts when they are depressed, and Miyagi Ryota is no surprise. Shohoku has proved very well that even if the team does not have him, it will still play well. Miyagi can understand this. Miyagi even felt that Shohoku became stronger without him.
At this time, he couldn't help but think of his brother, the gentle, loving brother who would never come back. Thinking of this, Miyagi Ryota's eyes became moist again.
After all, he is just a high school student.
"Hey! Miyagi! What are you thinking about?"
At this moment, a big hand patted Miyagi's shoulder. Jinguji Budo came behind him at some point and followed Miyagi's line of sight and looked out the window.
"Nothing." Miyagi Ryota turned his head to look at Martial Arts, then turned his head to look out the window.
Jinguji Martial Arts! That damn talent is displayed vividly and exquisitely on this guy!
"Liangtian, are you giving up?"
After hearing the martial arts words, Miyagi Ryota shrank slightly, his face tightened, and then like a deflated rubber ball, he bowed and asked dullly: "Are you going to laugh at me? Genius."
There was even deep resentment in Miyagi Ryota's tone, but this resentment was not against martial arts, but against himself.
"how can that be possible."
"When I was on the field, I was talking to Shinomiya Tōno——"
"It is very exciting for a player without talent to rely on his own efforts to compete on the same stage with geniuses."
"But it seems like you're letting me get slapped in the face."
Hearing this, Miyagi smiled bitterly and shook his head. Wu Dao turned to look at his appearance and continued:
"The world of basketball is cruel, I knew that from the beginning."
“Having been to the United States, I understand this even more clearly.”
"Human, it's really hard to tell how much potential you have."
"Actually, most people don't work hard enough to fully develop their talents."
"For most people, their end is actually the moment they give up."
"I won't say that as long as you work hard, you will get results."
"But Miyagi, if you don't work hard, there will be no results. Basketball is such a realistic sport."
...
"Have you really reached the end?!"
"I think it's still far from being achieved!"
..................................................
