The appearance of Jinguji Martial Arts made the originally lively arena suddenly quiet.
When Mito Yohei, Takamiya Nozomi and others who were holding Sakuragi Hanamichi saw the arrival of Jinguji Martial Arts, they slowly released their grip on Sakuragi Hanamichi.
"Damn it, you bastards!"
"I won't spare you!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi, who successfully broke free, jumped up from the floor, ignored Sora Kuratani who had just brought him to the ground, and rushed directly towards Yohei and others. They also reacted very quickly and scattered and ran away when Sakuragi Hanamichi stood up.
"What a strange face!"
"What's your name? Why are you here."
Jinguji Budo ignored Sakuragi Hanamichi who was fighting with Yohei and others. He bent down slightly, stretched out his hand towards Sora Kuratani on the floor, and asked at the same time.
"ah?!"
"oh!!"
"Hello, God. Jinguji-senpai!"
"My name is Kuratani Sora, and I am a first-year student who just transferred to Shohoku High School this semester!"
"I'm in the same class as Sakuragi-san."
"I came to the gym to join the Shohoku High School basketball team. Please approve it!!"
When Sora Kurutani heard Jinguji Budou ask this question, he didn't even grab Budou's hand. He jumped up from the floor, came back to his senses, and said nervously to Jinguji Budou. As he spoke, Kurutani Sora Sora also bowed deeply towards Jinguji Martial Arts.
After getting up, his face was full of excitement and longing.
"In other words, is he a transfer student?"
Jinguji Budo looked at Kuratani Sora, who only reached around his waist, and said suddenly.
Then Jinguji Budo looked at Kurutani Sora for a moment, nodded, and actually agreed directly: "Join the Shohoku High School Basketball Club."
"No problem, it's just a club activity. If you want to join, then join."
"Train with the players from the third team. If you can't stand it, you can come to me and quit the basketball club at any time."
"In Xiangbei, the conditions for joining are not strict. Whether you want to leave or stay is up to you."
Jinguji Budo agreed without hesitation, but Kiyota Nobunaga and others were a little surprised at first when they heard Jinguji Budo agreed to let him join the basketball club. They didn’t understand why Budo allowed such a person who obviously had no basketball talent. of people join the basketball club.
However, after hearing later that Kuratani Sora could only join the third team, Kiyota Nobunaga and the others also looked surprised.
Today, all players in the Shohoku High School Basketball Club are divided into three levels.
The first level is called the first team. The players are all starters or important rotations. In other words, they are the regular players. They have jersey numbers and are eligible to play.
As for the second team, they basically have some basketball basics and a certain level of strength, but they are not as good as some of the players in the main selection. Normally, if the players of the second team can keep up with training, they will be better than the current generation of Jinguji Budo players. After withdrawing from the team, they will be able to take the lead and become the main selection.
As for the third team, they have a weak basketball foundation and are even complete novices. These people basically have little chance of playing in the game, and they join the basketball club just out of their love for basketball. However, if some people in a team train hard, they may rise up in the coming days.
The training intensity and content of the players at the three levels are extremely different. The training of the players of the three teams is mainly based on physical fitness and dribbling.
The players of the second team will make some progress based on physical training and basic training, and begin to learn tactical movements and some offensive methods.
As for the main players, in addition to physical training, there are also various special trainings based on the personal characteristics of the players. Most of the special training plans for the main players are formulated by coach Anzai. A small number of players also have special training in Jinguji Martial Arts. will participate.
In other words, only the regular players are really valued by the team.
"Team Three?"
Suddenly hearing this assignment from Jinguji Martial Arts, Kurutani Sora was startled. At this moment, Sakuragi Hanamichi also successfully caught up with Yohei and others and was "beating" them. Suddenly hearing Martial Arts' words, Sakuragi who was not far away also looked over.
Interjected: "Brother Martial Arts, this guy has a basketball foundation."
"Although the level is not very good, there is no problem in being promoted to the second team and training with the second team players."
Sakuragi Hanamichi's help in chatting was something Sora Kuratani didn't expect at first. He originally thought that he had just tripped Sakuragi, and Sakuragi Hanamichi was already being generous in not getting angry. However, he didn't expect that the other party not only didn't care about him, but actually It helped him speak kind words in front of Jinguji Martial Arts.
"basketball basics?"
"The second team is still different from the third team."
"If you want to join the second team, you need to have a certain level of strength."
"Kurutani Sora-kun, I watched the one-on-one bullfight between you and Sakuragi for a while."
"Obviously, you are at an absolute disadvantage."
"But basketball is not a one-on-one sport after all. If you don't mind, would you like to try a five-on-five practice match?"
"Today is the first day of school, and I didn't plan to arrange any high-intensity training."
"The holidays have just passed and the players need some time to get back into shape."
"I'm going to arrange for the players to play a few practice games to get a feel for the court. If you're interested, can you join us?"
Jinguji Martial Arts has no intention of discriminating against Sora Kurutani, and of course it has no intention of opening a back door for the other party.
Their Shohoku is a public high school, and students' participation in clubs depends on their will. Martial arts will not prevent Kuratani Sora from entering the basketball club.
But if you want to play in the basketball club, you have to rely on your strength.
"Practice match? Can you compete?!!"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
"Thank you Jinguji-senpai, I will participate, I will participate!"
Seeing Kurutani Sora's excited expression, Jinguji Budo nodded slightly, then turned around and looked at the Shohoku players.
In this short time, most of the players in Xiangbei have arrived at the arena.
Although Coach Anzai has not arrived yet, as the captain of Shohoku High School, Jinguji Martial Arts still has considerable rights. There is no need to go through Coach Anzai at all to arrange training matches within the team.
Seeing that the players had almost arrived, Jinguji Budo clapped his hands and shouted to everyone:
"Don't stand around and watch. Those who haven't changed quickly go to the locker room to change. Those who have changed their clothes come here and line up."
"Miyagi, you take the players who are ready for warm-up activities first. Whoever is ready first will have the opportunity to play a practice match!"
"Quick! Move!"
As soon as Jinguji Martial Arts finished speaking, the Shohoku players who had been surrounding them just now dispersed in a rush. The players who had changed their clothes and shoes quickly ran into the court and started doing warm-up exercises under the leadership of Miyagi Ryota.
Sora Kurutani also joined the queue, imitating other players and doing warm-up exercises.
The players who had changed their clothes returned to the venue one by one. After ten minutes, Jinguji Budo asked the players to clear the venue.
"If everything is ready, then hurry up and prepare for the practice match."
"Miyagi, you will be the referee."
"I will arrange the players now."
"Red team, Kiyota Nobunaga, Shiozaki Tetsuji, Tsunoda, Nango Koichiro, and Rukawa Kaede."
"Team Yellow, Hanamichi Sakuragi, Ryumasa Oda, Ichiro Katsumi, Yasuharu Yasuda, Sora Kuratani."
"You two teams start first, at halftime, for twenty minutes. If the player is not focused enough, I will let him down."
"Get ready, the game starts in two minutes!"
Jinguji Budo clapped his hands, and then quickly named a few players who were playing. When the Shohoku players heard about the players arranged by martial arts, everyone's eyes were focused on Sora Kurutani.
The few people arranged by Martial Arts are basically players from the first team, which is in line with everyone's expectations.
But everyone is confused about the guy named Sora Kuratani. What is he doing on the field in such a practice match?
Give Sakuragi Hanamichi and Oda Ryumasa more difficulty? !
Although they were doubtful, the team members did not show it for a moment. In Xiangbei, no one would question the decision of Jinguji Martial Arts.
"Hello, everyone from Xiangbei!"
"I am Sora Kuratani, please give me your advice."
Several players from the yellow team gathered together, and Sora Kuratani introduced himself to his teammates. Oda Ryumasa just glanced at Kuratani Sora indifferently, did not speak, but made arrangements on his own:
"Sakura and I will guard the inside. The task of controlling the ball will be left to Yasuda. Katsumi will play small forward and defend Rukawa Kaede."
"Our height has no advantage, so let's play zone defense."
"Um, Sora Kurutani, right? Do you know how to defend in a zone?"
At the end of the sentence, Oda Ryumasa looked at Kuratani Sora and asked.
"Yes, I know zone defense."
"Um, what do you call this classmate?"
Oda Ryumasa nodded and withdrew his gaze when Kuratani Sora mentioned that he knew about zone defense. Without looking at Sora Kurutani, Oda clapped his hands and boosted the morale of the team members with leadership:
"Come on, we will win!"
Che Gukong touched his nose, looking embarrassed.
Sakuragi Hanamichi noticed Kurutani Sora's emotions, patted the opponent's shoulder and said: "When you get to the court, just pass the ball to us."
I didn’t have any expectations for Sora Kuratani.
Soon, the two-minute adjustment time passed quickly.
Players from the red and yellow teams walked onto the court. The two people jumping in the middle circle are Sakuragi Hanamichi and Nango Koichiro. Sora Kurutani followed the players into the stadium, and then stood in front of Tetsuji Shiozaki in the center circle.
After the summer, Shiozaki Tetsuji's height grew to 172cm. After wearing shoes, he was 175cm. His height was similar to Kiyota Nobunaga.
Nowadays, Kiyota Nobunaga's height has also increased. He was 178cm when he first entered the school as a freshman in high school, and now he has reached 180cm.
With Kurutani Sora's height, he stood out in the stadium at this time.
Because the shortest person in the entire stadium besides him is Yasuda Yasharu of their yellow team, but Yasuda is also 167cm tall now.
More than ten centimeters taller than Kurutani Sora.
Not to mention Katsumi, Sakuragi and others who play forward positions.
At first glance, Kuratani Sora looks like a child blending in among the adults.
"This height looks really comical!"
"When Xiaotuo was in the NBA, I probably felt similar to him when I watched my opponents."
"The height difference will bring huge psychological pressure. Sora Kuratani, if you want to compete, you have to rely on your strength!"
Jinguji Budo stood on the sidelines, looked at Sora Kuratani, shook his head slightly, and did not see him.
At this time, after the players from both sides completed their positions, Miyagi Ryota also blew the whistle to start the game.
"Beep——"
After a long whistle, the basketball was thrown directly into the air by Miyagi. When the ball reached the highest point, Sakuragi Hanamichi and Nango took off almost at the same time. Sakuragi, who was more explosive, reached the highest point first. Pointed the ball backwards.
"ohhhh!!"
"So high!!!"
Next to the center circle, Kurutani Sora couldn't help but exclaimed when he saw Sakuragi Hanamichi and Nango jumping the ball.
When he was at Kuzuryu High School, he had never seen a player who could jump so high! Shohoku High School is indeed a super team that won the national championship!
"Snapped!".
The basketball was given to Yasuda Yasharu in the backcourt. Just when Yasuda Yasharu was about to dribble the ball towards the frontcourt, he was keenly aware that a thin figure had actually crossed the center line at this moment, quickly approaching the red team's three-pointer. At the same time, Tetsuo Shiozaki, who was facing him, was actually thrown away by about half a meter at this moment.
"Yasuda, bring the ball into the frontcourt and give the ball to Katsumi, let him take the lead." After the jump ball, Oda Ryumasa ran towards the frontcourt and shouted to Yasuda who was dribbling the ball behind him.
But before he finished speaking, a red light flashed directly in front of Oda Ryumasa's eyes and quickly entered the frontcourt.
Yasuda Yasuhiro, the ball has been passed out at this moment! The target is Sora Kurutani who has already entered the frontcourt.
"What?!"
At this moment, not only Oda Ryumasa was surprised, but Kiyota Nobunaga and others who returned to defense also looked in the direction of the basketball in surprise.
At this time, Kurutani Sora caught the basketball a dozen centimeters outside the three-point line, raised the ball with both hands, and looked directly at the basket.
Nobunaga Kiyota, who was at the top of the arc, realized that the opponent was going to shoot a three-pointer, so he accelerated directly and rushed towards Sora Kurutani.
However, just when Nobunaga Kiyota stepped forward, Sora Kurutani, who was holding the ball, suddenly bent down and dropped the ball, quickly passed Nobunaga Kiyota's defense, and rushed toward the basket.
Nanxiang, who had already returned to the inside, saw Kurutani's aerial attack and immediately got up to defend him. However, the opponent was too short. In order to steal the basketball from the opponent's hand, Nanxiang had to work hard to lower his center of gravity. The moment he gets close, he makes a steal.
However, Kurutani Sora seemed to have expected it. When Nango came up on defense, he made a slight crossover and instantly passed Nango Koichiro and went to the basket. Then he threw the ball with a hook and sent it to basket.
Simple, smooth and explosive in speed!
The beautiful pass made the onlookers from Xiangbei let out a low cry. At the same time, the basketball also rubbed against the backboard and bounced into the net.
"well!!!!!"
When Sora Kurutani saw the basketball hitting the net, he clenched his fists with excitement and cheered, not caring about the surprised expressions of the people around him.
"What the hell.?"
"Bankrupt version of Allen Iverson?!"
Jinguji Budo couldn't help but whisper when he saw Kurutani Sora's extraordinary performance. He was also surprised by the opponent's clean crossover.
(End of chapter)
